“Cocktails de Paris,” Evoe’s first official event, was (if we do say so ourselves) magnifique. From the basement of The Compleat Sculptor, surrounded by hulking blocks of marble and wood, Mayur took our 60 guests on a journey of the palate to springtime in Paris. The photo collage, which so effortlessly captures the mood, is by the eminently talented Steph Goralnick.

Although they make the best cocktail ingredients in the world, since World War II the French have all but stopped mixing cocktails. A damn shame, but we’re doing our part to revive the tradition. We served five cocktails that Ernest Hemingway and Scott Fitzgerald might have wiled away the afternoons with: the French 75 (Original), the Twentieth Century Cocktail, the Charlie Lindbergh, the Bramble, and the Cocktail Gascogne.

Our focus was inexpensive base spirits — primarily gin and sparkling wine — that are transformed in myriad fashions with very special liquers, brandies, and eau-de-vie. Guests sampled Lillet Blanc, Chateau Laubade Armagnac, and Crème de Violette, and had lessons on shaking drinks and choosing flavors.

Accordion music by Marni Rice put romance in the air; great wedges of traditional French cheeses and pâté from Stinky Brooklyn ensured our guests didn’t end up like poor Scott, drunk again by Ernest’s side.

Photos ©Steph Goralnick. A full set can be found on Flickr. She blogs on tumblr as funemployed.

A few more photos by Laura Huben, the beautiful blond pictured above, and (if not stated) Nora….

{The unusual setting recalled the catacombs of Paris.}

{A tasting of Lillet Blanc; photo by Laura.}

{Preparation of the Bramble, a cocktail of gin, lemon juice, and sugar with a cassis or blackberry liqueur “float”; photo by Laura.}

{Nel & Nick; photo by Laura.}

{Marni Rice, accordionist extraordinaire.}

{Karen & Laren gallantly volunteer to shake Twentieth Century Cocktails, a gin cocktail with Lillet Blanc, crème de cacao, and lemon juice.}

{Nora tops off Jackie’s Bramble.}

{Laura feeds Emily a blackberry; photo taken with Laura’s camera.}

{Ronen & Jonny Cigar of The Noble Rot; photo by Laura.}

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   another amazing event.

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    Adam and I are in for the next edition! We had SUCH a good time! And got some great cocktail recipes along with awesome...

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    I had such a good time (and learned a lot, too!) I’m now fixin’ to get mah hands on some Lillet and mix up some good...

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    Thank you, friends, for making this such...next event before we even tucked into bed

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    “Cocktails de Paris,” Evoe’s first official event, was (if we do say so ourselves) magnifique. From

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