Our Local Libations column showcases the “liquid assets" available on Vancouver Island. With an abundance of wineries, breweries, cideries, distillation houses and meaderies on our doorstep, sharing our favourite cocktail recipes is one of our most enjoyable tasks! Let us know which are your favourites.
Hard Thyme
Recipe by Andrew Langford
Seaside Spritz
Recipe by Neighbourly Wine Co.
Now that the outdoor patios are in full swing, we find ourselves reaching for vibrant and refreshing drinks to enjoy in the sun. While there's nothing...
Leave it to Cedar
Recipe by Andrew Langford Twist of Fate Craft Cocktails:
An Island-based St. Patrick's Day cocktail that will make your friends green with envy. Forestal and herbaceous, this cocktail is...
Spiced Tea Toddy
This delightfully simple recipe tastes like a tantalizing dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth but is filled with healthy ingredients and ready in 10 minutes or less—making it the best of all...
Reap the Harvest
Recipe provided by DEVINE Distillery, photo by Noelle Quin
Autumn is a time of harvest, where nature’s bounty is celebrated in the form of food and drink. This cocktail is an autumn-inspired...
Lavender Gin & Tonic
Recipe by Sheringham Distillery
A floral, refreshing, and citrus-forward gin and tonic.
Fizzy Busy Bee
After a cozy winter spent hibernating in our homes, the warmth of spring is a welcome call to venture outside, to meander through the bright colours blooming in the forest and the gardens, and to...
Breakfast on Island Time
On Vancouver Island, we tend to slow down a bit, spend time in nature and enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. So whenever you’re ready to crawl out of your sleeping bag to restart the campfire...
Wit’s End
This cocktail is a destination that has no directions, but you’ll know when you’re there. When you’re at your Wit’s End, find an Arbutus tree to relax under while you enjoy this cocktail and...
Homemade Spiked Eggnog
Dating back to medieval times, eggnog has a long history of being enjoyed during the coldest of winter months—especially during the holidays. Whether you drink it as is or opt to add alcohol, it’s...
The Woods are Lovely, Dark & Deep
This cocktail is a gin-and-tonic style libation heavily influenced by foraged ingredients, where the flavour of the kombucha is uniquely featured as the soda replacement.
Blackberry Magick Smash
A variation on a bourbon smash, this cocktail uses fresh blackberries and a local honey-based mead and spirit to create a light, euphoric libation experience—best accompanied by a warm summer...
Canadian Maple Margarita
A perfectly Canadian twist on a tropical classic, this margarita trades the triple sec for some Canadian whiskey and adds maple syrup for a hint of sweetness.
Honey, Spice & Everything Nice
This is the perfect winter cocktail, served warm or cold. It features Merridale Cidery & Distillery’s award-winning Cowichan Spiced Rhumb (made from B.C. honey) and Cyser Cider (made from...
War Cry
Bartender and storyteller Dinah Kisil finds inspiration for her drinks in the stories that surround her. For her signature drink War Cry, her muse was Tofino, with its rich history in rebellion. She...
Tropical Staycation
While we may be limited in our travel, we can still enjoy some of the little pleasures of a beachy destination, like this Tropical Staycation. Rum, Krupnik and spicy ginger syrup, all made from...
Fishing Village
You can’t go to the West Coast of Vancouver Island without someone saying “If you go any further west, you’ll end up in Japan.” This cocktail casts out a line to bring Japan a bit closer by...
Curl up on the Couch Cocktail
Coffee and whisky have always been a natural pairing—especially on cool winter evenings—but using your favourite cold brew and adding Legend Distilling’s Naramaro - a Modern Amaro makes this...
The Rose Mallow
I fell in love with shrubs years ago—back when I worked with the kitchen team to create gastriques, not realizing there was a category of syrup in the bar called “shrubs.” Locally produced...
Batched Summer Punch
The picnic crew will be lining up for this refreshing summer drink.
Scandinavian Cooler
Garnish this refreshing cooler with some freshly picked Island blackberries for a true taste of summer.
Nordic Lady
It's like sunshine in a glass, perfect for a midsommar celebration.
Classic Island Caesar
The Caesar isn’t just a salad. It’s also Canada’s beloved take on the Bloody Mary. What’s the difference? The Caesar is always made with clam juice.
Tepache
Made from the peel and rind of a pineapple, tepache is a fermented beverage that is refreshingly light—perfect for hot summer days.
Lo-Fi / Hi-Fi
Taking the concept of mocktails and non alcoholic beer to a whole new level, “alt-gin” options add flavour and sophistication for those who prefer a little less buzz with their beverage.
Hot Buttered Rumrunner
With the addition of Rumrunner Cider and Alchemist’s unique Nectar Liqueur, a batch of this Hot Buttered Rum is perfect for entertaining during the stormy winter months.
Crazy Prospector
This is autumn on autumn on autumn—spicy rye mixed with Ampersand’s Green Walnut Nocino, the richness of the newly released Esquimalt Rosso Vermouth (a new venture from the folks at Rootside...
Kinsol Cup
Hot Summer days and freshly picked blackberries have us craving this refreshing cocktail, named after the historic Kinsol Trestle in the Cowichan Region. A modified version of the Pimm's Cup, we...
Irish Garden
Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, we use smokey Wayward Distillery Char #3 Gin and Elderflower Cordial from Still Mountain Cordials for a fresh spring cocktail that is sure to...
Cherry Blossom Falling
This cocktail is the perfect combination of Sakura and spring, combining the unique Kazuki Gin with rhubarb, citrus, and cherry flavours.
The Island Toddy
The Hot Toddy; known around the world and across the ages by many names. In true Vancouver Island style we like to do things a little differently, so here's a blend of honey, tea and local...
