Tales of the Cocktail 2012 is officially underway! For the next four days the lauded summer cocktail festival will be celebrating its tenth anniversary in the heart of the city that never sleeps stops drinking. Year-in and year-out TotC has proven itself to be an experience like no other – a fitting marriage or choice spirits and exquisite cuisine.

This year OffBeat and Sazerac brought music into the mix with the first-ever Melodic Mixology Cocktail Competition, a challenge to create a custom cocktail featuring Legendre Herbsaint and inspired by a classic New Orleans ditty. Last week in a closed judging ceremony, the Carousel Bar’s Michael Glassberg saw his cocktail – “The Bell Gal,” inspired by Sweet Emma Barrett “I Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None Of This Jelly Roll” – claim first prize.

For his efforts Glassberg won a weekend stay at his place of employment, a pair of VIP tickets to the 2012 Voodoo Music Experience, and a chance to serve his carefully crafted spirit to the Tales crowd at Sazerac’s tasting room on Saturday, July 28.

The event, co-sponsored by OffBeat, in addition to Glassberg’s mini-bar, will feature live music by jazz guitarist Mark Weliky, a live cooking demonstration, a cozy lounge atmosphere, and a free photo-booth. Like many events at Tales, the storied Hotel Monteleone will play host. You won’t want to miss it. Just remember to set your alarm, because it will be taking place from 10:30am to Noon.

For a complete list of the weekend’s festivities and to purchase tickets to Tales of the Cocktail, visit: http://www.talesofthecocktail.com/

If you’re thirsty for a little more on Tales of the Cocktail, check out OffBeat’s recent visit with TotC founder Anne Tuennerman.