There are many ways to use your socially distanced time well—and not all self-improvement programs require excessive amounts of discipline and hard work. Some—praise be—may not only afford you pleasure, but also bring a dash of much-needed decadence to your day.
Just as we are all eating (and cooking) more at home now than ever, we are also drinking more at home. And, just as we are inspired by our favourite chefs when they offer advice and recipes to make our daily dinners more appetizing, we should sit up and pay attention when the city’s best bartenders start proffering tips to mix better cocktails chez nous.
At-Home from the Fairmont Pacific Rim
Patrons of the Lobby Lounge are used to pairing superior cocktails with a little live music—and why not? Just when you thought those days were over for some time to come, the Fairmont Pacific Rim brings the experience direct to you with its At-Home series via Facebook Live. Each Wednesday at 4 p.m., creative beverage director and multi-award-winning cocktail creator Grant Sceney will talk you through the mixing requirements of a signature cocktail. You can then sit back and sip to a 45-minute live set from one of the Lobby Lounge’s favourite headliners.
The weekly featured drink is announced in advance, and cocktail kits with everything you need to shake and stir along are available for pickup or delivery.
This week’s cocktail is:
Image courtesy of the Fairmont Pacific.
Not Far From the Tree
A Canadian rye whisky mule served up and complemented with multiple layers of seasonal stone fruits
1.5 ounces Lot 40 Rye Whisky
1 ounce orchard cordial (apple/ pear/ peach/ ginger/ cardamom/ lemon)
1.5 ounces sparkling water
Stir over ice.
Top with sparkling water in a coupe.
Garnish with stone fruit fan of your choice.
Homeschool Series
The organization behind MeatFestYVR—the annual carnivore’s delight that brings on top local chefs to cook the best ethically reared proteins—has pivoted in these COVID times to present weekly cooking and cocktail master classes online.
Photo by Christian Tisdale/Courtesy of the Homeschool Series.
Each Thursday at 6 p.m., registrants will be taken through the makings of a dish and a drink that will elevate their home menus and hopefully give them confidence to try more challenging recipes going forward. Previous participants have included the food and beverage team at Tofino’s Wolf in the Fog, while this week’s (May 14) duo are Kristian Eligh (executive chef of Toptable Group’s forthcoming Victoria restaurant) and mixologist extraordinaire Katie Ingram, of Yaletown’s Elisa Steak.
Sign up for $10 (proceeds go partly to the participating presenters and/or a charity of their choice), and receive your recipe cards in advance. The idea is to have the ingredients on hand and cook and craft alongside the professionals. A link to the video will be forwarded following the live event for you to keep.
Sabrine Dhaliwal
Any Vancouver-based cocktail aficionado worth their salt rim will have enjoyed a drink crafted by the very capable hand of award-winning bartender Sabrine Dhaliwal. Currently the bar manager at Juke Fried Chicken and the brand ambassador for Belvedere vodka and Hennessy cognac, Dhaliwal is entertaining and enlightening her Instagram followers with weekly live tutorials.
Each Thursday at 4 p.m., Dhaliwal concocts grown-up beverages with items commonly found in a home liquor cabinet and pantry. No nonsense, but oh so delicious.
Read more from our Food and Drink section.
