Rum Field Training School

On Saturday, December 8, I'll be hosting a Rum Field Training School in New Orleans. If you can think of a better way to spend part of a Saturday than discussing, studying and drinking rum, be sure to let me know. The event -- which is sponsored by Tales of the Cocktail with support from the Museum of the American Cocktail -- will offer talks about rum culture and history, distilling demonstrations, and a rum cocktail pairing lunch with drinks crafted by outstanding mixologist Lu Brow of Cafe Adelaide.

The day starts at 11am with a punch at Cafe Adelaide and some historical overview. Then all recruits board a bus for a quick trip across the French Quarter to the Old New Orleans Rum distillery, where Ben Gersh will walk everyone through the process of distilling a fine rum. We'll talk about how rums differ, sample a few, and then reboard the bus for lunch at Adelaide, where we'll enjoy three rum cocktails created to compliment the meal. All attendees will receive a signed bottle of rum and a signed copy of my book.

Rum people: if you've considered making your first post-Katrina trip to New Orleans, this would be the time.

Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased at www.TalesoftheCocktail.com or at 504-558-1840. The course has a 30-person maximum.

Hope to meet you in New Orleans!