After being postponed in 2020 due to COVID19, Nashville Cocktail Festival returns for the 7th year this September 7-11th. Tickets for the 2021 schedule, which includes 13 events, go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, July 7th and range from $25-$150. People can also sign up via the festival website to become an NCF Insider, which grants them early bird, discounted tickets on June 30th. The secret Insider code will be active for only 1 week. The 2021 schedule features the NCF Experiences throughout the week, which are smaller, intimate events allowing guests to meet the makers and go behind the bottle. The Experiences then lead up to the two Main Events on Friday and Saturday evening which allow attendees to experience the largest collection of Nashville’s cocktail establishments and sponsors under one roof.
Nashville Cocktail Festival is a production of the husband and wife cocktail creative PourTaste. Over the past 7 years, Jon and Lindsay Yeager have brought award wining authors and distillers to the festival week to support the continued education of the local cocktail community. Meanwhile, the Yeagers have brought memorable themed tasting events like The Art Deco Night and Polynesian Pop that can be enjoyed by cocktail novices and professionals alike. Though there are multiple cocktail festivals throughout the country, the focus can often be for industry only. The balance that PourTaste has found between industry and consumer has attracted the leading spirit brands we all know as well as new brands coming to Tennessee.
During the pandemic, PourTaste became regular contributors to NBC’s Kelly Clarkson Show. Their segments can be viewed on their Instagram and Facebook pages @pourtaste alongside www.pourtaste.com.
2021 Schedule
Tuesday September 7th
NCF Opening Party/ presented by Tom’s Town Distillery
6-9pm $25 @ Bode
Help us ring in the 7th annual Nashville Cocktail Festival with cocktails, gifts and more!
Wednesday Sept 8th
Gin Master Class/ presented by J Rieger Co
12-3pm $30 @ Black Rabbit
After collaborating with one of the most important voices in the world of gin, former Master
Distiller of Tanqueray Tom Nichol, J Rieger’s Midwestern Gin has become an instant classic,
taking the cocktail community by storm. Join us to take the deep dive into gin and gain a
deeper understanding on production, recipes and more.
Courvoisier Cognac Dinner
6:30pm $150 @ The Optimist
Join the iconic cognac brand for a memorable evening at one of Nashville’s most anticipated
new restaurants, The Optimist! Guests will submerge themselves into the world of brandy
through dinner, cocktails, exclusive tastings and more!
Hey Hey Club: A Pop Up Jazz Bar/ presented by J Rieger Co
8pm @ Rudy’s Jazz Room
FREE EVENT*** Few recently launched brands have the history that J Rieger does. The owners of this Kansas City distillery have unearthed not only a pre-prohibition distillery, but also an entire category of whiskey long forgotten. Join us as we celebrate Kansas City’s contribution to cocktail history though jazz and lots of cocktails.
Thursday September 9th
Porto: A Classic Comeback/ presented by Taylor Fladgate
11-2pm $30 @ Hathorne
In the canon of cocktail history, port wine, or porto, sees a lot of action. Our founding fathers
considered it a bedside necessity and the architects of American mixology considered it a
staple. Modern times have reduced this Portuguese fortified wine to a simple after dinner drink but we think that should change. We anticipate a global comeback from the world of port, and we hope it starts here!
Lustau Sherry Experience
1-3pm $30 @ Noelle Hotel
Join famed sherry producer Lustau for an immersive learning and tasting experience, which will guide attendees through the history and culture of sherry wine! This panel will discuss the bullet points of the category and educate on sherry cocktails, food pairings and more.
Build Your Own Bottle/ presented by Pennington Distilling Co
6-9pm $150 @ Pennington Distillery
The local legends behind Pickers vodka and Davidson's Reserve are at it again, inviting our NCF attendees to build their own bottle of bourbon! Don't miss this once in a lifetime, interactive event where guests blend their own whiskey, personalize the bottle and.....you guessed it, take it home to enjoy!
Woodford Reserve Bourbon Dinner
7pm $150 @ Deacon’s New South
Join us for an in depth dinner as we learn from one of the benchmark bourbon producers
Woodford Reserve. The brand will walk us through their history and production secrets while
we enjoy flights, cocktails, live music, pinball and more!
Friday September 10th
Ti Amo, Amaro presented by Amaro Montenegro
11-2pm $30 @ Chopper
As the Italians would say "We Love You, Amaro!". The intentionally bitter liquor category is a
staple in the modern cocktail bar, and one of the industry favorites is Amaro Montenegro. Join us as we learn the history and heritage of the life of apertivo!
MAIN EVENT: Polynesian Pop/ presented by El Dorado
7-10pm @ Centennial Park (pavilion)
The Atomic Age brought Americans many things but none so much fun as the culture of Tiki.
The mid-century trend of island cocktails, outlandish garnishes and tall tales from the South
Pacific are back in a big way and we're inviting you to join us as we raise our glass to the
hippest in the cocktail kingdom.
Saturday September 11th
NCF Pool Party 12-3pm $55 @ Dive Motel
There's just not much more to say about this one. Pool, party and unlimited cocktails. See you there.
MAIN EVENT: Art Deco Night
7-10pm @ Centennial Park
Through Prohibition, the 20's and 30's sent American bartenders all over the globe to find work and continue their craft. It's here that the American cocktail gets an often untold boost of creativity. Come celebrate the global spirits and ideas that bolstered the jazz generation!