Rey Tigre

BEARFOOT BISTRO

604-932-3433 | bearfootbistro.com

The Bearfoot Bistro’s cocktail list is a byword for creative innovation with a mischievous touch: You can always rely on it to be packed with puns and playful names. Their latest zero-proof creation is a tribute to Netflix’s COVID-quarantine must-watch sensation, “Tiger King.” “I couldn’t resist!” Bearfoot Bar Manager Luc Trottier says with a laugh. “It’s inspired by the flavour profile of a Peruvian ceviche recipe called ‘Leche de Tigre’ (milk of the tiger). Tiger milk … tiger king — it was a short step to ‘Rey Tigre,’ which means Tiger King in Spanish.”

A world away from sugary “Shirley Temples” and fruity mocktails, Trottier believes that guests are looking for a more sophisticated, food-friendly approach to zeroproof drinks. “As an industry, we need to invest [more] thought into alcohol-free cocktails. I believe that if we take a more savoury approach and give guests something different to what they can have at home, they’ll be excited to try something new.”

The “Rey Tigre” blends fresh pineapple juice, cilantro, jalapeño, ginger, and lime. “We use the Vitamix to make a very fine, silky blend; the pineapple takes a back seat, with the cilantro- jalapeño notes being dominant. Spicy, savoury: It’s got a kick, for sure! You certainly don’t have to drink alcohol to have a good time, and the days of people feeling like there’s a [negative] stigma if you’re not drinking are hopefully long gone. Thoughtfully created zero-proof drinks are gaining in popularity; it’s all about the philosophy behind the drinks, and we are here to give guests the best possible experience,” Trottier says.