These educational events feature a combination of sessions for industry and consumers.
There is serious education and training that goes into every cocktail. Learn about spirits, their history, cocktail techniques and more from some of Canada’s greatest experts in the field. Note that some seminars are designed for industry professionals only, while others are open to everyone.
Sunday, March 6
Ms. Better’s Bitters Presents: Extractions, Infusions, Macerations and Powders
Queens Cross Pub
2989 Lonsdale Ave.
North Vancouver
8 pm
Learn all about the botanical ingredients that make your cocktails sing in this seminar featuring Vancouver’s own Ms. Better’s Bitters. Bartenders Robyn Gray and Tarquin Melnyk will also demonstrate how to get the most from bitters by using avant garde technique and molecular technology to create cocktails just for VCW.
Monday, March 7
Diageo World Class Seminar
Published on Main
3593 Main St.
2 to 4 pm
Learn tips, techniques and tales from the competition trenches taught by Diageo World Class bar stars Kaitlyn Stewart, Jeff Savage, Chris Enns, Grant Sceney and 2021’s Global Bartender of the Year, James Grant. Get educated over cocktails and small bites.
Better with Belvedere
The Chickadee Room
182 Keefer St.
2 to 3 pm
This fun and interactive tasting of Belvedere vodka demonstrates how this Polish rye-based spirit can make a difference in your next cocktail. The seminar will feature half-ounce pours of three vodkas over a one-hour tasting. Note that 100 per cent of proceeds from tickets goes toward Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.
Mixing it up with Fever-Tree
H2 Rotisserie and Bar at The Westin Bayshore
1601 Bayshore Dr.
Industry only: 2 to 3 pm
Everyone welcome: 5 to 6 pm
We all know the importance of a quality spirit, but what about the mixer? If three-quarters of your cocktail is the mixer, shouldn’t we be mixing with the best? Join Fever-Tree Canada’s own Alexis Green as she takes you through the history of the brand, the importance of high-quality ingredients, pairing suggestions, common misconceptions, an eye-opening tasting, and more! We will be mixing cocktails with Ketel One vodka, Tanqueray gin and Seedlip non-alcoholic spirit, paired with food prepared by H2 Rotisserie and Bar.
Get tickets (industry only)
Get tickets (everyone welcome)
Tuesday, March 8
Canadian Whisky Master Class by Lot 40
Clough Club
212 Abbott St.
Industry only: 1 to 3 pm
Join Lot 40 global ambassador and bartending icon Dave Mitton for a deep dive into the world of Canadian whisky. Participants will taste through a variety of Canadian whiskies and learn Canada’s storied history as a producer of this great spirit, as well as where the country sits in modern bar and cocktail culture.
Barons, Innovators and Pioneers
Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar
637 Hornby St.
2 pm
A premium whisky tasting featuring pioneering malts from intrepid blenders—Dewar’s 18, Aberfeldy 16, Craigellachie 17, Deveron 18 Teeling Single Malt—hosted by Kevin Brownlee, Bacardi Portfolio Ambassador.
From the Foggie Moss and illicit whisky trails to the grain trains that opened Scotland up to malt distribution and the Dublin distilleries during the peak of Irish whiskey, malt whiskies have had a spirited, arduous journey from grain to glass. This session explores the early days of whisky making and covers barrel finishing, innovative blending, the uncompromising spirit that brought life to whisky in early 1800s Scotland and Ireland, and our modern-day fascination with the whisky’s characters and the malts they make.
Bowmore and Brine
Blue Water Cafe
1095 Hamilton St.
6 to 8 pm
A tasting of the Bowmore lineup with an Islay breakfast. Experience the maritime feel of the Atlantic Ocean with amazing oysters and the sea salt air that permeates the Bowmore Distillery.
Wednesday, March 9
Grand Marnier Master Class
Details TBA
Experience a Grand Marnier master class hosted by Priya Shah, Campari Group’s Senior Portfolio Specialist. During this intimate affair you will be inspired by the sophisticated blend of luxurious French Cognac and exotic bitter oranges. Priya will introduce Grand Marnier’s range of fine products. Attendees will also enjoy Grand Cocktails and elevated finger foods.
Ticket info coming soon.