Page 75 - Demo

MIX MASTERS
EDMONTON’S FIRST-EVER COCKTAIL WEEK PLACES THE SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL DISTILLERS BY STEVEN SANDOR
Dan St. Pierre dreams of the day when people around the world identify Alberta with its craft distilling scene like they do with Scotland, Kentucky or Japan.
But before our local distilleries can be celebrated abroad, they need to be celebrated at home. And that’s what Cocktail Week, which will take place in Edmonton March 4-10, aims to do. It will put Alberta spirits front and centre with bartenders at downtown establish- ments, and at liquor stores throughout the region.
“There are so many things that intersect,” says St. Pierre, the executive director of the Alberta Craft Distillers’ Association. “You’ve got the creativity to come up with a well- balanced beverage that people will enjoy. There’s the product that goes into it, and the artistry and craftsmanship that actually goes into creating a whiskey, creating a rye, creating a gin or a vodka. But I think Edmontonians sometimes forget to sing loud and proud the praises of this place. There’s a bit of an Edmonton inferiority complex.
“We want to elevate the amazing products people are creating here and winning awards internationally. Let’s pull all of that together and celebrate.”
The push behind Cocktail Week comes from Faaiza Ramji, co-founder of Field Notes, which produces two beverages, the Don’t Call Me Sweet Pea amaro, and the new Jaya Chai liqueur.
A DOLLY’S COCKTAIL BAR B DORINKU OSAKA C FU’S REPAIR SHOP D BAIJIU
B
C
D
75