5 Places to Snag a Cocktail in K-Town
There’s more than just vino to whet your whistle.
While wine may get most of the credit in the Okanagan, don’t let that dissuade you from ordering off the cocktail menu. The drinks served at these spots in Kelowna are the perfect antidotes for a scorching afternoon in the Valley.
1 Micro Bar Bites
The creative menu at the sister bar to RauDZ Regional Restaurant is the result of a lot of experimentation by its five bartenders. Try the new Sting Like a Bee (a bourbon-based cocktail with a house-made sweet tea, black tea, bitters and citrus) or the Dr. Gonzo (a play on the Singapore Sling but with mezcal instead of gin).
2 Oak and Cru Social Kitchen and Wine Bar
This trendy hotel bar sits alongside a private lagoon and serves cocktails that are as delicious as the views of the water just beyond. This summer’s menu embraces the juicing trend, with drinks like a mezcal beet margarita, as well as twists on favourites like their Right Hand spritz (their take on an Aperol spritz).
3 Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery
Learn more about what’s in your cocktail by taking a tour of this family- owned distillery in downtown Kelowna before having a drink on their summer patio. Try the fruity Murder on the Okanagan Express, featuring the distillery’s gin with chai, blood orange, lime and bitters.
4 Krafty Kitchen and Bar
Krafty has lots of enticing concoctions to choose from. For something boozy and spicy, order a Devilled Bully (a variation on the Boulevardier with bourbon, Aperol and bittersweet vermouth). Or, if you’re looking for something refreshing on the patio, try the herbaceous basil sour (a combination of gin, basil and egg white).
5 Waterfront Wines
They may be known for their stellar wine list, but don’t overlook the cocktails. Some crowd favourites are the Hooked on Tonics (Hendrick's gin, Chartreuse, cucumber, wild rose water and tonic) and the Backhand of Bourbon (Okanagan Spirits BRBN, Backhand of God stout, lemon, maple syrup, egg white and Angostura bitters). —