PRESERVED

“What excites me is the fact that we’re seeing so many unique ingredients in these small-batch spirits — gins distilled with yuzu or lychee, even gin distilled from honey from the Wayward Distillery,” enthuses Cure Lounge’s Beverage Specialist Rhiannon Csordas. “And what about the amazing colour-changing Empress gin made with butterfly pea blossom? That stormed the market! When you make a purple cocktail with their gin, everyone wants it; it’s so aromatic and fresh as well as pretty. B.C. gins are going off the beaten path.”

Her creation showcases the Odd Society Spirits’ Wallflower Oaken Gin, which is aged for several months in oak barrels to give a smooth, smoky flavour. “I’m a big fan of Odd Society,” says Csordas. “I’ve been working with their products since I came on the scene.” A riff on the classic Martinez cocktail, “Preserved” is a “stiff and stirred” cocktail with Wallflower Oaken Gin, maraschino, red vermouth and Bittered Sling’s Lem-Marrakech bitters. Garnished with orange zest, it’s the perfect introduction to boozy cocktails for those who are a little intimidated by that spirit-forward category.

“Cocktails don’t have to be fresh or fruity. Some people are scared off by the idea of drinks like this, but the sweetness of the vermouth and maraschino, plus the Moroccan spice notes of the bitters, make this an approachable option for newbies as well as seasoned drinkers looking for something different from, say, a Manhattan.” Balanced and beautiful, “Preserved” has a smooth, rounded mouthfeel and helps tell a local story through the gin’s unique botanicals. “We have such a beautiful landscape here in B.C., and a wonderful story to tell, which comes through when we use these great local spirits.”