by Tara Rafiq | May 12, 2017 | The Alchemist
Victoria’s grande dame gets a makeover with a sexy new bar and a truly royal namesake gin The gin is sky blue – that’s right, blue – and it has a delicate floral aroma. Add a little tonic water, though, and it magically turns a beautiful royal purple. “It’s...
by Tara Rafiq | May 5, 2017 | The Alchemist
Why elderflower is the flavour you want to add to cocktails right now Think of the elderflower as spring in a glass. And thank goodness for that—after a dreary winter that felt like it would never end, aren’t you craving bright, fresh flavours and floral fragrances?...
by Tara Rafiq | Apr 28, 2017 | The Alchemist
Sexual harassment, Speed Rack and the realities of being a woman bartender You’ve come a long way, baby – or have you? In 1903, the most important bartender in the world was, arguably, a woman named Ada Coleman. “Coley” had just been appointed head bartender at the...
by Tara Rafiq | Apr 21, 2017 | The Alchemist
With its own cocktail lab, this new bar is set to launch an era of innovation in Vancouver Bored with the same old watering holes? Well, you’re in luck, because Botanist is getting ready to shake up Vancouver’s cocktail scene. Botane and Tonic ft. a lab-made Juniper...
by Tara Rafiq | Apr 14, 2017 | The Alchemist
A visit from the queen of rum “When people taste it, the first word you hear is, ‘Whoa,’” says Joy Spence, smiling. I take a sip. “Whoa,” I exclaim. She laughs. We’re sampling Spence’s masterpiece, the Joy Anniversary Blend, the culmination of her 20 years as Appleton...
by Tara Rafiq | Apr 7, 2017 | The Alchemist
BC Distilled festival an opportunity to sample everything from amaro to whisky, all made right here It’s hard to believe that just five years ago, British Columbia had fewer than 10 artisan distilleries. Today, the province has at least 40, with a whole bunch more in...
