PISCO ALEJANDRO

The Cure Lounge & Patio inside Nita Lake Lodge is all about natural beauty and serenity. One of only two bars overlooking a lake in Whistler, the Cure’s views are gorgeous. They offer a relaxed atmosphere with an approachable menu (think flatbreads, burgers and juicy buttermilk fried chicken), with fine dining available at Aura, their sister restaurant. As the season changes, Bar Manager Craig McNair is focussing on creating a cozy atmosphere at his bar thanks to the holy trinity of winter and fall spices: cardamom, cinnamon and cloves. “Winter cocktails for me are all about familiar flavours,” McNair says. “Especially when it’s snowy and cold, guests come off the mountain, and they want to feel warm and cozy inside. I’ve been experimenting with those holiday flavours and have some great things on the menu, such as a pumpkin-spiced Old Fashioned with bourbon, and a dark, fruit cocktail made with black cherry balsamic vinegar syrup and Four Pillars spiced gin from Australia. It goes so well together.” McNair’s inspiration for his classic-with-a-twist comes from setting himself the challenge of using Fernet Branca — a traditionally herbaceous and bitter spirit

— and having it balance beautifully in a winter cocktail. After some trial and error, McNair created the Pisco Alejandro, his take on a Brandy Alexander. “I used Pisco as the base and kept the elements of heavy cream and the crème de cacao, but pulled it together with the Fernet, added some Kensington bitters and topped it with freshly grated nutmeg, which just screams holidays to me!” CURE LOUNGE & PATIO AT NITA LAKE LODGE 604-966-5700 | nitalakelodge.com