The Tasting Table just posted their Top Cocktails of 2011 from 5 cities across the US. Really good stuff on here.  But let’s get Phoenix added to the list next year!!!

Picture this.

You follow the lanterns down a dry riverbed in the desert.  You arrive at a tent that is something like “Out of Africa” meets Pegu Club.  A subtle ambient groove plays mixed by some unseen DJ.

Typical day so far.

Then you walk inside the tent to reveal a vintage cocktail bar with free-flowing cocktails from some of the nation’s best bartenders.  And some of the best single village mezcals are being served out of small clay cups while Ron Cooper (artist / mezcal guru) talks about the intricacies of 100+ year old villages where this fine spirit came from.

Intrigued?

Ok … I took some creative license in the locale (maybe … ), but The Tented Saloon is a gathering of cocktail enthusiasts that love the craft of the cocktail.  Kind of an underground cocktail society.  It will be held semi-regularly (about once a month), somewhere in the Phoenix metro-area, feature great cocktails and some of the industry’s best talent and spirits.  The group is specifically for bartenders, mixologists, bar industry professionals and cocktail enthusiasts as a place to network, exchange ideas, inspire and imbibe.

To sign up, send an email to: kim@liquid-architecture.com.  When a Tented Saloon gathering happens, you will be emailed the time and place.  No password.  No list. And the best part?  It’s free.