And 8 overall are in British Columbia!
Time to raise a toast to the top cocktail spots across the nation, with the announcement of the 2024 edition of Canada’s 50 Best Bars rankings.
4 of Canada’s 50 Best Bars of 2024 are in Vancouver
Earth, wind and fire
B.C. craft baijiu brands bring the ancient Chinese spirit to modern imbibers
It can taste of soy sauce and mushrooms, damp earth or overripe fruit. It’s fermented in earthen or stone pits, and even aged in baskets coated with pigs’ blood. Its styles are categorized by words like “strong,” “sauce” and “medicine” aromas.
But despite the challenges it might pose for western palates, baijiu (pronounced “by-joo” or “by-joe”) is the new bartender candy. Now two B.C.-made versions of the Chinese spirit—Canada’s only craft baijiu—are helping to bring an ancient spirit to the modern bar.
Perfect Pairings
Why cocktails might just make a better partner for food than wine
Move over Pinot, Tempranillo and Albariño. Wine pairings are fine, but cocktails are increasingly gaining recognition for the role they can play in taking a dining experience to the next level.
The growing trend was on full, tantalizing display during Vancouver Cocktail Week 2022, with cocktail-paired brunches and dinners at spots like Botanist, Tableau Bar Bistro and Carlino proving to be particularly popular.