The Alchemist Magazine BC | B.C. Distilleries

Taking flight

July 18, 2025 No Comments

Could the Paper Plane be the perfect cocktail?

Rhubarb and ginger are a natural pairing, and Kissa Tanto’s Avi Kunen loves combining them with Japanese whisky and Italian amaro in a nod to the classic. Photo courtesy of Kissa Tanto

I love a Martini. I’m happy to whisper sweet words to a well-made Old Fashioned. I’ve fallen head over heels for a Negroni on a good patio. But hear me out: While all of the above are well and good, the Paper Plane is the perfect drink.

Made from equal portions of bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol and lemon juice, the new-school classic cocktail has a kiss of booze, a bright hit of citrus and an herbal allure from the addition of amaro. The recipe is foolproof: just one ounce of everything, shake and pour.

Recipes

A riff on the classic Paper Plane

July 17, 2025 No Comments

Recipe by Nathan Murray, bar manager at aKin in Toronto: “I prefer Canadian whisky over bourbon. Then I add an acidulated green tea blended with toasted brown rice in place of classic citrus. The result: a flavour profile that is sure to surprise even the most seasoned Paper Plane drinker.”

Recipes

Niigata Paper Plane

July 11, 2025 No Comments

Recipe by Mat Locke, bar manager at Bar Asra, Vancouver: “My riff uses neither bourbon nor Aperol—half of the key ingredients. Instead, I use Japanese whisky in place of bourbon, and a non-alcoholic aperitivo to replace the Aperol. I balance the cocktail by playing around with the traditional proportions.”

Recipes

Flying Home

July 10, 2025 No Comments

Flying Home. Photo courtesy of Kissa Tanto

Recipe by Avi Kunen, bar manager at Kissa Tanto, Vancouver: “Sam Ross [the Paper Plane’s inventor] initially tried the drink with Campari. This is a nod to that. Rhubarb and ginger are a natural pairing, and we love combining Japanese whisky and Italian amaro.”

It’s Toronto’s time

July 7, 2025 No Comments

World Class Cocktail Festival set to shake up the city—and the country—this September

Kate Chernoff (centre) accepts the trophy for World Class Canada 2025 Bartender of the Year, surrounded by previous winners. Photos courtesy of World Class Canada

The World Class Cocktail Festival, to be held August 16 to October 3 across Canada, promises to be one of the biggest and best parties this country has ever seen.

“Our ambition is to give the World Class Global Final a Canadian feel even though it will be centred in Toronto,” says Michael Armistead, who oversees the World Class Canada Bartending Competition as National Onpremise, Reserve and Sponsorship Manager at Diageo Canada.

At the bar

Bar Gobo’s vinyl vibe

July 4, 2025 No Comments

The Chinatown wine bar rebrands as a hi-fi joint, and we are so there for it

At Bar Gobo, chef Ralph Cavallo’s menu features Filipino-inspired bites like these butsi with chicken liver and guava jam. Hakan Burcuoglu photo

For Paul McCloskey, running what might be Vancouver’s first dedicated vinyl-only hi-fi wine bar is something of a full-circle moment.

Bar Bites

Toronto Cocktail Festival set to shake up the Six

July 3, 2025 No Comments

TCF promises to be a destination event for cocktail lovers. Living Room Creative photo

The Alchemist magazine team has had so much fun hosting Vancouver Cocktail Week, we’re bringing the good times to Toronto. This fall, we’re launching the first annual Toronto Cocktail Festival, to be held October 22 to 26, 2025.

Bar Bites

Cocktails to go, go, go

June 30, 2025 No Comments

Summertime means camping and picnics and lounging in the back yard—or the back country. Now you can bring your favourite cocktails with you, thanks to the folks at Yeti.

B.C. summer distillery guide

June 27, 2025 No Comments

Enjoy summer with these Canadian-distilled spirits

Copper Spirit Distillery

Verity Rye Spirit

40% ABV, $55 (750 ml)

Our unaged rye spirit is an aromatic and flavourful expression made with 100% organic B.C. rye grain. A perfect gift for the curious spirits collector.

World’s Best Grain Spirit (2024)
“Cleanly distilled with a fine grain character that is both complex and enticing. Berries with a touch of stone fruit join on the palate, along with a little amaretto nuttiness. A lovely, balanced digestif.”

Available at our distillery, select private liquor stores, and at copperspirit.ca

Bar Bites

Aw, shucks for this umami moment

June 23, 2025 No Comments

Umami, the savoury so-called fifth taste after sweet, sour, salty and bitter, is having a moment in the world of drink. Think Dirty Martinis, whisky made with mushrooms, gin with savoury herbs and olives, or cocktails shaken with miso, saline or soy sauce.

Now distillers are turning to the sea for what might be our favourite umami-rich ingredient yet: the oyster.