A Long Okanagan Summer (Kelowna summer tastes in a glass)
My family and I have been big supporters of buying local since the beginnings of our farm-to-table Indian food concept (at Poppadoms). My weekly grocery shopping trip to the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market always means a quick visit with my parents at their Paisley Food Co. stall and then off to buy a bag full of local herbs, berries, and other garnishes.
Another stop on my grocery shopping list is often Okanagan Spirits. Okanagan Spirits is BC's oldest craft distillery garnering acclaim on an international level. On a personal level, it happens to be my favourite little craft “liquor store” with everything from gin to fruit brandies, to absinthe (a few of which are featured in this week’s recipe).
Recipe
- .5oz Okanagan Spirits Vodka
- .5oz Okanagan Spirits Gin
- .5oz Okanagan Spirits Aquavit
- 1oz lemon juice
- .5oz simple syrup (1 cup water + 1 cup sugar)
- seasonal berries (fresh from the local market!)
- top up with cola
Garnish
- lemon juice
- mint sprig
- a berry
- straw
Directions
In a shaker, add the local berries with the spirits listed above and muddle slightly. Then add the remaining lemon juice and simple syrup with enough fresh ice to fill the shaker. Shake away until the tin is ice cold. Double strain the cocktail using a hawthorn strainer and a tea strainer into a tall glass with fresh ice.
Top up the cocktail with cola and garnish the drink your way!
Harry Dosanj is the Bar Manager at West Coast Grill & Oyster Bar. He is a locally celebrated and award-winning mixologist. Harry competed with contestants from 60 countries in one of the best international bartending competitions in the world - in the 2016 Diageo World Class Canada - West Regional Finals where he finished top 13 in the west and is now counted amongst the top 26 in Canada!
Check out Harry's work here
Facebook: Bar Travelling Man | Instagram: @harrydosanj | Twitter: @harrydosanj
