The Alchemist Magazine BC | B.C. Distilleries | Cocktail Bars Vancouver

Bar world gathers in Berlin

October 20, 2022 No Comments

Attendees enjoyed a taste of Spain at the aperitivo bar hosted by the 14 De La Rosa Barcelona team. BCB / Roland Justynowicz photos

If there are any lingering doubts that the bar world has bounced back from the pandemic, the recent Bar Convent Berlin should put them to rest.

The trade show is the world’s largest for the bar and beverage community. This year 12,505 attendees from 88 countries and 533 exhibitors from 44 countries travelled to Berlin for the October 10 to 12 event. Among the crowd were some of the biggest names in cocktails, including Portland’s Jeffrey Morgenthaler, Jesse Vida of Singapore’s ATLAS bar and Ruben Neideck, the Berlin-based Bartender of the Year, eager to share new ideas, taste new drinks and discuss solutions to the big issues that still face the industry.

Guides, Have Glass Will Travel

Where to Drink in Barcelona

October 14, 2022 No Comments

Even before The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 were announced, places like Paradiso (#1), Sips (#3) and Two Schmucks (#7) were heaving with visitors, and not the easiest places to land a seat at the bar. Here’s our insider guide to some of the other many fine bars of Barcelona—and one unusually cocktail-rich dining experience, for good measure.

The Tres Monos pop up at Monk featured monkey-masked bartenders. Charlene Rooke photo

The Alchemist

A Toast to Barcelona

October 5, 2022 No Comments

In a happy coincidence, the host city for The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 is also home to The World’s Best Bar, Paradiso—and two more bars in the top 10. From the Western Canadian Academy Chair for the awards, here’s the rundown on some of this year’s other big winners.

The team at the number one-placed Paradiso in Barcelona celebrates their win. Photo courtesy of The World’s 50 Best Bars

“If you build it, they will come” could have been the tagline for the 10th anniversary of The World’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony, held in Barcelona on October 4. It has been a buzzy cocktail destination for the last several years—and particularly during the pandemic, when Spain remained relatively open to tourists. Building on that strong foundation, the city has scored bragging rights for The World’s Best Bar of 2022: Paradiso. Also placing in the top 10 were the city’s beloved Two Schmucks (#7) and Sips (which had the most impressive rise from last year’s list, up 34 places this year to #3).

Recipes

Marroqui Tea

September 23, 2022 No Comments

Recipe courtesy of Bodega on Main

• 1 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey

• 1 oz Mint Syrup

• 1/8 oz Menthe Pastille

• 4 oz English Breakfast Tea (chilled)

• 1 oz Lemon Juice

Last Call

Great world bars we love: Dante West Village

September 16, 2022 No Comments

The bar at Dante West Village. Doris Sun photo

New York City is back. Like back back. After a whirlwind two years as the city hardest hit by the pandemic, there is now an energetic buzz returning to the streets. People are going out again in droves. Tourists are re-visiting. And that means you are likely to find yourself in a standing room situation squished between patrons or circling the block hoping for a table to open up when looking for a place in which to imbibe.

The Alchemist

‘It’s been a heck of a ride’: Vancouver whisky bar at centre of legal battle to close after 36 years

September 15, 2022 No Comments

What will become of one of the world’s largest whisky libraries that’s long called Vancouver home?

Fets Whisky Kitchen, which endured a government raid in January 2018 and a protracted legal battle with the province, has revealed the business will shutter soon. Fets Whisky Kitchen/Facebook

It may be home to “one of the world’s largest whisky selections,” but after a 36-year run (and a couple of name changes), Fets Whisky Kitchen will be closing permanently.

Owners Eric and Allura Fergie posted the closure notice on social media as September got underway, indicated Fets Whisky Kitchen’s last dinner service will be Friday, Dec. 23.

Classics

Wake up to the Espresso Martini

September 9, 2022 No Comments

The bittersweet contemporary classic makes a comeback

Get your caffeine buzz on with the return of the retro Espresso Martini. Getty Images photo

High-waisted jeans, shoulder pads, neon colours—if you had any doubts that the 1980s are back, the return of the Espresso Martini should lay them to rest.

This buzzy, bittersweet cocktail was perhaps the quintessential cocktail of an era in drinks culture that was otherwise, frankly, pretty grim.

Recipes

Nitro Espresso Martini

September 8, 2022 No Comments

If you work in a bar with a draft system, it’s relatively easy to put an Espresso Martini on tap and let the nitrogen do its magic. For home bartenders, here’s how to get a similar effect using an iSi nitrogen dispenser. (Recipe adapted from iSi.com.)

• 10 oz cold brew coffee

• 2 oz coffee liqueur

• 4 oz vodka

• 1 oz simple or vanilla syrup

• Garnish: coffee beans

Classics, Recipes

Espresso Martini

September 7, 2022 No Comments

The key to this cocktail is using hot espresso—if the coffee is cold, it won’t form the “crema,” the creamy foam on top that is the drink’s signature. The three coffee beans represent health, wealth and happiness.

• 2 oz vodka

• 0.5 oz coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)

• 1 oz espresso, freshly brewed and hot

• 0.5 oz simple syrup (or to taste)

• Garnish: coffee beans

Recipes

The Arbutus Cove

September 2, 2022 No Comments

A cocktail with locally sourced ingredients created by Nic VanBergen for Eliza at the Naramata Inn.

• 1 oz Arbutus Distillery Blue Gin
• 0.5 oz Arbutus Lavender Liquor
• 0.75 oz Cane Sugar Syrup
• 0.5 oz Grape Acid (see note)
• Lunessence Riesling Brut
• Garnish: Flower from the garden

Great World Bars We Love: Handshake Speakeasy

Where to drink in Tofino right now

Canada in a glass

Bar world gathers in Berlin

Where to Drink in Barcelona

A Toast to Barcelona

In a happy coincidence, the host city for The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 is also home to The World’s Best Bar, Paradiso—and two more bars in the top 10. From the Western Canadian Academy Chair for the awards, here’s the rundown on some of this year’s other big winners.

Marroqui Tea

Recipe courtesy of Bodega on Main

Great world bars we love: Dante West Village

‘It’s been a heck of a ride’: Vancouver whisky bar at centre of legal battle to close after 36 years

What will become of one of the world’s largest whisky libraries that’s long called Vancouver home?

Wake up to the Espresso Martini

The bittersweet contemporary classic makes a comeback

Nitro Espresso Martini

If you work in a bar with a draft system, it’s relatively easy to put an Espresso Martini on tap and let the nitrogen do its magic. For home bartenders, here’s how to get a similar effect using an iSi nitrogen dispenser. (Recipe adapted from iSi.com.)

Espresso Martini

The key to this cocktail is using hot espresso—if the coffee is cold, it won’t form the “crema,” the creamy foam on top that is the drink’s signature. The three coffee beans represent health, wealth and happiness.

The Arbutus Cove

A cocktail with locally sourced ingredients created by Nic VanBergen for Eliza at the Naramata Inn.

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