A few weeks ago a sign appeared at our local farmers' market. It read, "Ramps are coming next week!" The joy was palpable. As people walked by and read it, you could hear the excitement in their voices. All that for a little leafy wild onion. Of course, ramps aren't just any regular garlicky vegetable. They're the first new thing we've had at the market in months; a sign that spring is really here. More
Thank goodness spring is finally here. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, I mean, what more could you want? Perhaps a tasty cocktail, that's what. With all the action going on outside, I decided it was high time to create a floral-inspired cocktail. Lavender, a relative to the mint family, is the perfect starting point. More
Since it opened 2 years ago, Pourhouse has become a prominent part of Gastown's cocktail scene. Although situated across from the Steamclock, an often-crowded Vancouver, BC landmark, It's by no means a tourist trap. Bartenders at Pourhouse strive to serve up the classics without making any compromises, and according to bar manager Patrick Reynard, the team is constantly creating new concoctions such as as these 5 new gin drinks. More
I have to admit that the Pimm's Cup first got my attention because it's heavily garnished—sometimes with cucumbers or strawberries, other times with apples or orange slices. I'm a sucker for a cocktail that's also a snack. I take my Martinis with two olives when I am being polite in public and five when I make them at home. So it wasn't until my third Pimm's Cup that I bothered to ask the bartender what non-food items were in this magical drink. I was shocked that the answer was just "Pimm's and sparkling lemonade." More
Creating cocktails is all about experimenting and doing a little digging, especially when we're in between seasons like we are now. Without an abundance of new, exciting fruit and veggies popping up at the market each week, things can start to feel a little humdrum. But your drinks needn't suffer—during times like these, lean on fresh herbs and perhaps a spice or two to jazz up your libations. More
Like with any new toy, I got bored with the Soda Stream. You can add the brand's flavored powders to your fizzy water after carbonating (I don't, though, not really being a pseudo-cola or faux-Sprite person), or mix it with juice, but you aren't supposed to introduce non-water liquids to the machine before fizzing it up—particles in the liquids supposedly cause it to explode everywhere, and at the very least, the sugar gums up the system. Enter the Twist N Sparkle Beverage Carbonating System from iSi, and you can be carbonating cocktails in no time. More
Gin was once known as 'Madam Geneva', so it's no surprise that Laura Lashley and Naren Young's new cocktail menu for the Bowery bar by that name focuses exclusively on the juniper-enhanced spirit—but it's hardly a limiting factor. "The menu really has something for everyone," says Lashley, "even those who come in thinking they're not big fans of gin. These are all balanced and accessible drinks that bring a fresh element and an herbal element that ties in nicely with the food." They have 29 different gins currently stocked in the bar, and the new cocktails feature a range of different gins picked to pair well with ingredients such as kalamansi, star anise, yuzu, Vietnamese mint, kaffir lime, and Thai basil. More
Tuesday was a mostly great Valentine's Day because I had low expectations and a partner who was thoughtful enough to suggest dinner at the beer and hamburger place by her office. Things got even more perfect when Emily made the surprise announcement that we would each be ordering our own individual meal! This almost never happens. More
Brown spirits like whiskey and brandy tend to dominate our wintertime drinking, but holiday parties and family get-togethers are a perfect time to break out spiced and piney gin. (What, does nobody else feel like it's appropriate to complement a Christmas tree with a tree-scented drink?) More
Tonic water has come a long way from its humble beginnings as an anti-malaria medicine. Everywhere you turn, there's an upscale bar boasting 'house-made' tonic, and some specialty tonics cost more than the liquor you'd mix them with. The simple G&T isn't so simple anymore. But did you ever consider making tonic at home? More
