BC Living
Spreads – From Scratch
You’ve Gotta Try This In May
How to Support BC Wineries Now
4 Tips on Balancing a Nutritious Diet with a Side of Indulgence
Choosing Connection: A BC Family Day Pledge to Prioritize Presence Over Plans
Embracing Plant-Based Living this Veganuary and Beyond
Inviting the Steller’s Jay to Your Garden
6 Budget-friendly Holiday Decor Pieces
Dream Home: $8 Million for a Modern Surprise
Local Getaway: A Mini Cozy Sanctuary in Nelson
B.C. Adventures: Our picks for May
Spring into Fun in Kamloops: The Best Events in the City
BC Distilled
Melodies and Museums: Solo-Friendly Entertainment for the Independent Traveller
Arts Club Theatre Company Celebrates 60 Years
Pyrrha Connects People With Pieces That Speak To Them
BC-Based Gifts Perfect for Mom
SOLO CHIC: 5 Essential Pieces for the Stylish Solo Traveller
It's time to taste one of these 18 local cocktails made especially for summer sipping
If it’s after 5 o’ clock on a summer day and you don’t have a cocktail in your hand, you’re doing it wrong. There’s nothing quite like spending an evening on a patio sipping a delicious libation. Luckily, Vancouver knows all about the magic of a summer-themed drink. These great restaurants and bars are offering up tasty seasonal drinks for those warm, sunny days.
This season, L’Abattoir is offering three must-try cocktails:
Avocado Gimlet (pictured above) Fresh avocado and lime, olive and rosemary gin, Apfelkorn schnapps and simple syrup join forces to create a yummy gimlet.
El Camino Nothing says summer like a flavourful slice of watermelon. The El Camino is made with fresh lime, watermelon, Campari infused tequila, a dash of agave nectar, topped up with grapefruit pop and finished with a salted rim.
Old Rose Bud Made with Maker’s Mark, Ricard, crème de peches, honey syrup and lemon. This is a bourbon cocktail that Don Draper would enjoy on one of his many trips to Los Angeles.
Where: 217 Carrall St. Gastown, Vancouver
Chambar is also introducing three cocktails to their summer menu:
La Belle Rustique Described as “rustic elegance”, this cocktail is made with Zapoteco mezcal, Cointreau and Aperol, then shaken with local fresh rhubarb and vanilla bean.
And don’t get us started on that beautiful garnish.
Ti’Punch This drink features toasted coconut on the rim (yes!), Mount Gay Eclipse Rum, a chill vanilla tincture, fresh ginger and pressed lime for that much-desired zing.
Moneypenny Straight out of a Bond movie, the Moneypenny is sophisticatedly fierce. Made with Bombay sapphire, homemade elderflower vermouth and grapefruit oil –“shaken, not stirred” – this cocktail gives you the license to thrill.
Where: 562 Beatty St, Vancouver
It’s no surprise that Mamie Taylor’s is getting in on the summer action.
Buena Vista (pictured above) This Irish whiskey concoction is made with cognac, Jameson, sweet vermouth, a dash of Angostura, chocolate bitters and coffee syrup to give you a jolt.
El Heffe “A cocktail that quenches thirst and packs a punch.” The El Heffer is made with Heffeweizen, Lillet Blanc, Cinzano Orancio, orange and lemon juice, ginger syrup, and dashes of both Angostura and orange bitters.
Riviera The drink tastes as elegant as it sounds. Cognac, Amaro, lemon juice and honey water with dashes of bitters and mint leaves – this is a good choice for Tom Collins fans.
Comunista According to Mamie Taylor’s, the Comunista the perfect drink for a summer day. Made with amber rum, vermouth, pineapple juice, fresh lemon and vanilla syrup, it’s a pretty safe bet that Mamie Taylor’s is right.
Where: 251 East Georgia St., Vancouver
Tableau offers us the Modern Hound (pictured) to cool off in the summer heat. It’s made with East Van Vodka, grapefruit juice, rhubarb bitters, lemon vermouth and jasmine syrup.
Where: 1181 Melville Street, Vancouver
Blue Water Cafe presents Spring on First Avenue, Trust us, after a few of these you won’t be questioning spring in the summer. Ingredients include don Julio blanco, Grand Marnier, tarragon honey syrup, red beet juice and a hint of lemon juice.
Where: 1095 Hamilton Street
Cactus Club Café will again present its 98 Days of Summer cocktails. Going strong until September 1st, all Cactus Club locations will be offering these special summer drinks.
Watermelon Margarita (pictured above) Mmm, margaritas. Freshly squeezed, juicy watermelon and bitter citrus mixed with Cuervo Gold tequila. Yes please.
Sunset Soda Served on the rocks and made with Smirnoff Orange vodka, soda and a splash of Bellini, this cocktail is as enjoyable to look at as it is to drink.
Where: Various locations
Lift gives us just that – a lift – with this Gin Mare Fizz that’s made with Bombay Sapphire gin, St. Germain, simple syrup and soda water.
Where: 333 Menchions Mews, Vancouver
West offers summer cocktails with names that are as fun as they are delicious:
Out of this World (pictured above) The name doesn’t shy away from great expectations, does it? Bombay Sapphire gin, fresh lime, plum wine, orgeat (almond), cinnamon and orange flower.
Caipirinha Just in time for this year’s World Cup, the Caipirinha is Brazil’s national drink. The Leblon Cachaca, muddled fresh lime and hints of rum make this a refreshing-as-they-get cocktail.
Lingerie & Lace With its Bombay Sapphire gin, “Ain’t Jermain” Elderflower liqueur, raspberry, lemon juice and soda, this tall, sweet-and-sour glass of sexy will undoubtedly leave you asking for another.
Where: 2881 Granville Street (@13th) , Vancouver