If one of Vancouver’s most legendary bartenders is going to release a canned cocktail, we are so going to be there for it, even if it has no booze. Maybe even especially if it has no booze.
Edna’s cocktails: All the cool, none of the booze
Spirits of compassion
Bartenders and distillers step up to help those in need
What’s better than sipping a finely crafted cocktail? Saying cheers to charity. Several bars and distilleries throughout B.C. are adding a dash of do-good to their drinks; here are just a few.
May Flowers
For the month of May, the Chickadee Room decided to bring attention to Cystic Fibrosis Canada with its “Cocktail for a Cause,” May Flowers, created by bartender Sierra Knight.
• 1 oz Grand Marnier
• 0.75 oz pisco
• 0.5 oz Amaro Montenegro
• 0.33 oz fino sherry
• 0.75 oz lemon juice
• 1 dash Bittered Sling Orange & Juniper Bitters
• Garnish: grapefruit peel, rosebuds, dehydrated grapefruit
The Cup is back
Don your fascinators and fedoras and get ready for a day at the races.
Cocktails that tell a story
Three new bars define cocktails, each in their unique way
There’s a special camaraderie between keen patron and impassioned bartender. The room design, flavour and atmosphere combine and create fertile ground for storytelling. Luckily, these three new cocktail-forward bars and restaurants that have just opened in Vancouver are more than happy to indulge us.
We stopped by these hot spots to get a taste of what they’re serving.
Gin Paloma
This easy, patio-ready cocktail comes from the tasting lounge at North Vancouver’s Copperpenny Distilling. The fresh citrus and rosemary accentuate the notes of Egyptian coriander and Moroccan grains of paradise in their Social Project Gin 005.
• 2 oz Copperpenny Social Project Gin 005
• 2 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (strained)
• 0.5 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• 0.5 oz rosemary-infused simple syrup (see note)
• Garnish: Himalayan pink salt rim, dehydrated grapefruit and/or sprig of rosemary
Negroni Secco
Recipe courtesy of Carlino Restaurant & Lounge
• 1 oz Esquimalt Wine Company dry vermouth
• 0.75 oz Tanqueray gin
• 0.25 oz Dubh Glass Noteworthy Navy Strength gin
• 0.5 oz Suze
• 2 dashes Sichuan peppercorn tincture (see recipe)
• Garnish: lemon zest
Generation cocktail
Fairmont Pacific Rim launches a series of drinks inspired by Douglas Coupland’s new art exhibit
Vancouver’s own Douglas Coupland is typically the creator, not the muse, known for 13 novels including the era-defining Generation X as well as numerous artworks, many of them displayed prominently around town.
But for now at least, he’s also the inspiration for a limited series of cocktails designed by the Fairmont Pacific Rim’s award-winning beverage director, Grant Sceney.
Where to drink right now in Mexico City
Nine must-visit bars in one of the world’s greatest cocktail cities
Recognition for Vancouver bars
The Keefer ranks No. 25 at the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Bars Awards; Botanist places No. 2 on Canada’s 50 Best Bars
We all know what a dynamic cocktail scene Vancouver has, and what a talented group of bartenders we have slinging drinks here.
Now the rest of the world is getting an idea, too. Well, sort of.
Two sets of “best bar” rankings have just been released, with nods to some of our favourite watering holes. But as always, some of our very best cocktail destinations couldn’t make the list because they just don’t qualify as bars. (Because of our licensing rules, they are often technically considered restaurants.) No matter. We know who you are.