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The Nightclub and Bar Convention is in town this week, and there is a slew of parties, hosted dinners and events to prove it. Last night, I attended a dinner inside Palms at N9NE Steakhouse, which was hosted by Le Tourment Vert, a hand-crafted 100 proof absinthe. During the dinner, the journalists got a chance to chat up the publicists and learn more about the small-batch spirit. (Not to mention, we had a delicious dinner, with entree choices like Filet Mignon with Red Wine Sauce, Grilled Salmon with Chive Buerre Blanc, Roasted Chicken with Herb Natural Sauce and a Kobe Burger served with Applewood Smoked Bacon and Vermont Cheddar.)
After a whimsical dessert of S'Mores, we headed upstairs to the Satellite Bar inside Moon Nightclub for absinthe tastings. Normally, I don't care much for absinthe (and I'm sure that my prior experience of downing shots of it didn't help my preconceived notion of the drink), but the publicist had previously assured me that the lower alcohol content of this particular brand of absinthe made for a more palatable, mixable quality. (It is by no means "low alcohol content," just lower than other high-octane versions.)
I don't think I personally know anyone who likes the flavor of anise (the black licorice-flavored herb that gives absinthe its distinctive flavor), but after trying some of the specialty cocktails, I was pleasantly surprised. My favorite drink was My Own Summer, a blend of Le Tourment Vert, Kaffir Lime Vodka, simple syrup, lemon, lime, kiwi and aloe water. The refreshing cocktail had a subtle herbal quality mixed with the zing of citrus, which I thought would be perfect for a warm summer evening while sitting on a porch, or perhaps playing cricket on a freshly-mowed lawn. If only we did either of those things in Vegas.