Tales of the Cocktail is back. Based at the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter, this year’s Tales of the Cocktail features more than 200 seminars, tastings, competitions and parties from July 19 to 24. Each year, professionals from all over the world are invited and welcomed into the city for the affair. The week invites professionals to network and the public to taste unique cocktails for this summer event that’s grown to be on the most anticipated cocktail events in the country.

The events start Tuesday with a Cocktail Apprentice Breakfast, followed by a week of seminars and tastings. There will even be book singings for readers to meet some of the authors of their favorite cocktail books. Some local light will be shed upon Abita Brewery as there is a tour and tasting of the distillery. There will also be a seminar that showcases the different steps that take place in creating the famous Old New Orleans Rum. There’s also a Founder’s Tour of Atelier Vie, a well known absinthe and gin distillery, and there are many other local events to follow.

Tickets for industry professionals are on sale now for $175 and $200 for non-industry professionals. However, the dining and drinking events are open to the public. More information about specific events can be found here.