MULLED WINE

It’s all change at the Four Seasons with the long-awaited new gastropub concept, the Braidwood Tavern, that’s now open where Sidecut Bar used to be. An approachable contemporary take on the mountain tavern, Braidwood guests can look forward to a warm, welcoming space for locals and visitors alike that captures the best of Whistler and beyond on the menu.

At the bar, you can also expect to find some unique B.C. craft spirits, including a custom-distilled gin. “We have a Four Seasons Whistler gin that’s specifically made for us by Okanagan Spirits,” says Bartender Robert Kharazmi. “It’s distilled with B.C. blueberries and basil, and our bar is the only place you can taste it!” Kharazmi is excited by the variety on offer in the craft gin scene in B.C. “There are so many great ones out there. For instance, it’s amazing that Sheringham Distillery on Vancouver Island won gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits competition for their Seaside gin,” he says.

The holiday season comes together in a glass with the Braidwood Tavern’s take on mulled wine. “We came up with this drink a few years ago,” Kharazmi explains. “We tweaked it to use our custom gin, and it’s the best version, I think. It’s so festive!” This cocktail begins with a slow simmering of a festive-flavoured syrup. “We want to capture all those special holiday flavours in a concentrated, aromatic sugar syrup with cranberries, orange zest, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, allspice, thyme, juniper berries, bay leaves, and rosemary.” Once those flavours are melded together, they add wine — a custom Meritage blend from Lillooet’s Fort Berens Estate Winery — and simmer some more. The aromatics of the gin complement the mulled wine blend and add an extra kick. “It’s probably our top-selling winter warmer,” says Kharazmi.