The Alchemist

Recipes, The Alchemist

Old Fashioned Party Base

February 24, 2017 No Comments

Nightingale head bartender Rhett Williams created this base to take the time-consuming part out of making an Old Fashioned, and to make it versatile enough to use with just bourbon, brandy, rye or rum. It’s perfect for hosting a crowd. Note that this recipe needs at least 24 hours before it’s ready to use.

Home Bar, The Alchemist

How to stock your spirits cabinet

February 24, 2017 No Comments

Nightingale head bartender Rhett Williams. Dan Toulgoet photo

Every cocktail starts with a base spirit. Every home cocktail bar should do the same. The question is, what spirits do you really need to stock at home? What’s worth spending money on (and what isn’t)? After all, those bright, shiny bottles can be expensive.

Home Bar, The Alchemist

Cocktail books every home bartender should own

February 17, 2017 No Comments

Take a note from the experts and decorate your coffee table with this hit list of Cocktail books. Photo courtesy of The Canon Cocktail Book.

Stocking your home bar? Before you invest in spirits, tools and glassware (not to mention that handy bar cart), you should get some expert advice. Luckily, there are plenty of great cocktail books out there to help you make the right choices.

Here are the essential tomes to quench your thirst for both well-made cocktails and the know-how to make them.

Home Bar, The Alchemist

How to build the perfect home bar

February 10, 2017 No Comments

Rod Moore, owner of the Modern Bartender and the Shameful Tiki Room, with some essentials for the home bar. Dan Toulgoet photo.

Back in 2012, when Rod Moore was about to open his dream bar, the Shameful Tiki Room, he ran into a problem. “It was a nightmare trying to find stuff – even basic tools and bitters,” he says, remembering running all over town to find shakers, jiggers, strainers and glassware. As for specialty tiki mugs? Not a chance.

The Alchemist

BC distilleries aim to produce world-class whisky

February 3, 2017 No Comments

Surrey’s Central City Brewers + Distillers launched its Lohin McKinnon single malt whisky last week. Central City photo.

Ever since the first drops of elixir trickled from a local craft still more than a decade ago, whisky lovers have been waiting to taste a true made-in-BC single malt.

And now, we can.

Recipes, The Alchemist

Shanghai Spritz

January 27, 2017 No Comments

Created by Micky Valens, bar manager of Hello Goodbye Bar.

Recipes, The Alchemist

Quince Royale

January 27, 2017 No Comments

Created by Kris Girard, head bartender at Torafuku. Note that the Vancouver-made Ms. Better’s bitters are available online at MsBetters.com; quince paste is available at gourmet stores.

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Cheers to Chinese New Year

January 27, 2017 No Comments

Kris Girard, bar manager at Torafuku, makes his Quince Royale cocktail. Dan Toulgoet photo.

Gung hay fat choy! This Saturday (Jan. 28) ushers in the Year of the Rooster with bright red packages, shiny gold coins and festively fizzy cocktails.

Recipes, The Alchemist