(Photo: Belathée Photography)

The Manhattan Cocktail Classic had a two-day “preview” last fall, but that was just the apéritif. The five-day festival kicks off May 14 with an opening-night gala at the New York Public Library ($100) and continues with more than 70 events celebrating and explicating contemporary cocktail culture. Meet Sasha Petraske at his Long Island City saloon; see Dale DeGroff choose his glassware; hear David Wondrich pontificate on punch. Learn why sherry is everywhere and vermouth is misunderstood. Bring aspirin (seminars cost $50 a pop and can be booked at manhattancocktailclassic.com).

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