Over the past few years, Edmonton’s spirits and cocktails scene has grown so much that you may not know all the distilleries and talented bartenders who make the scene special. It’s gotten to the point where it warrants a week-long event to showcase all the flavours and talents. That’s why Faaiza Ramji and her spirited group of cofounders started Edmonton Cocktail Week. We spoke with her about this year’s event, running March 17 to 23.
“We’ve got pretty much all new bartenders this year — there are a few returning ones, but it’s just great to see that there’s more interest, and more bartenders honing their crafts,” Ramji says. “People have been submitting their cocktails to a lot of different competitions, so it’s nice to have one here at home, as the main event.”
The main event is the Stiff Competition, which happens at Fu’s Repair Shop March 17. Competing ‘tenders will incorporate Token Bitters into whichever cocktails they dream up for the prize of Edmonton’s Signature Cocktail (and $500). Vine Arts will run its In Good Spirits competition on March 19th, and Epic Market will host its Cocktail Showdown on the same day.
“I think that the coolest thing between last year and this year is that we’re already starting to see what we wanted, which is a platform where other bars and restaurants can throw their own events, and we can use Cocktail Week as the umbrella to help. That’s been the most rewarding part of this year,” Ramji says.
If watching drink-offs isn’t your thing, or you’d rather make your own (and you like stylish tote bags), then the rest of your Cocktail Week will be busy — and delicious.
“When you buy local spirits at our participating retailers, you get a free tote,” Ramji says. “And some of the retailers are also hosting their own events. Sip Liquor Market is pairing up with Delavoye Chocolates for a chocolate and cocktail pairing on the 18th.”
Ramji cofounded Jaya Chai Liqueur, which won a double gold medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits. “And Jaya means victory, so we’re doing a Jaya Victory Lap to celebrate. Eight downtown restaurants are putting together their own featured cocktails using Jaya, so you can go around downtown all week and try one.”
You’ll want to pace yourself during the week, because it all caps off with the Alberta Spirit Festival, running March 21 and 22, where spirit and cocktail makers, from Alberta and beyond, will offer their wares and wow you with flair bartending shows, a beverage showcase and liquor market.
“There will also drink sampling, games, food and live music,” Ramji says. “It’s going to be a great way to end the week and celebrate all the talent in Edmonton’s cocktail scene.”
