Today I’m heading over to Salt Spring Island (otherwise known as our ‘Happy Place’) to enjoy the second annual Glowtini competition. Bartenders and mixologist from the isle will compete to tantalize taste-buds with a custom cocktail created specifically for Salt Spring Islanders and guests this holiday season. I’ll be joined by Janice Mansfield and David [...]

The Vancouver International Tequila Expo arrives next month at the Vancouver Convention Centre East. With proceeds benefitting the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation (“BCHF”), locals and visitors will be able to attend tastings and learn more about this spirit. Photo credit: im.no.hero. on Flickr Tastings Trade and Media Tasting (nominal fee includes donation to BCHF) Consumer [...]

Last year Tales of the Cocktail (“TOTC”), the legendary New Orleans-based festival for bartenders, mixologists, and lovers of libations, went on tour for the first time and was hosted in Vancouver. It was such a success that it has returned for a second year to celebrate the city’s emerging cocktail culture. Held once again at [...]

As mentioned in this morning’s contest post, I spent the better part of the day on Salt Spring Island judging the “Glowtini” competition. Heading over to the island with Saltspring Air There were six participants from around the island who all prepared special holiday cocktails — the winning drink to be featured at restaurants and [...]

The world’s most influential mixology conference, Tales of the Cocktail, arrived in Vancouver for three days of events, seminars and – of course – cocktails.  It speaks volumes to the Vancouver bartending and cocktail scene that they should host such an event as this is the first time Tales of the Cocktail has been hosted [...]

Tales of the Cocktail has been bringing mixologists, spirit enthusiasts, professionals and suppliers together for the last eight years with their festival in New Orleans. For the first time ever, the festival is going on tour and they have made Vancouver their very first destination — with plans to make the Vancouver edition an annual [...]

Day 10 of my Vancouver 2010 Olympic experience involved getting up early and heading to Yaletown to drink some gin ahead of the big game. Over the last year or so I’ve received many requests to judge competitions, from chocolate recipes to essay contests and most of all, mixology. The judges – Photo credit: John [...]

On a hot and steamy Thursday afternoon I headed over to the Blue Water Cafe in Yaletown to begin my trek through the world of mixology. I met up with local Media Relations whiz Anita Webster for the Grey Goose Vodka Arbiter of Cool competition. Claudia Cusano (Editor of Nuvo Magazine) and Judith Lane (freelance [...]