5 Pride Cocktails to Sip in Vancouver

To celebrate Vancouver Pride Week (July 30 – August 5), a number of bartenders have put together some colourful and creative cocktails.  Check out these Pride cocktails and recipes.

‘Jewel of Agrabah’ | Cafe Medina

Inspired by Disney’s Aladdin, this brightly hued summer cocktail is so enchanting that some may think it was poured straight from a Genie’s magical lamp.  Cafe Medina Bar Manager Marc Slingsby-Jones has created a fruity and flavourful libation that blends Jasmine-infused vodka, lychee liqueur, poached pear, Blue Curaçao and fresh lemon.  The eye-catching tipple is topped with a dried rosebud for an added element of whimsy.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation.

Yields 1 Cocktail

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Jasmine infused vodka
• 1/4 oz. Soho lychee liqueur
• 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1 oz. Poached Pear syrup
• 5 ml Bols Blue Curaçao

Method

1. Add all ingredients except Blue Curacao into a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake to combine and then strain into a coupe glass.
3. Slowly add Blue Curaçao to the glass so that it sinks to the bottom.
4. Float Rose bud on top of cocktail and serve.

‘Love Game’ | Juke Fried Chicken

Named after the chart-topping song by pop icon Lady Gaga, ‘Love Game’ is a fresh and floral sipper that’ll have you ordering a second.  Juke Bar Manager Cass Darmanovic has some fun with this Pride-themed drink that offers a refreshing blend of gin, Lillet Blanc and fino sherry with muddled cucumber and lavender for an aromatic finish.

Ingredients

• 2/3oz (20mL) Gin
• 2/3oz (20mL) Lillet Blanc
• 1/3oz (10mL) Fino Sherry
• 1/3oz (10mL) Vanilla Syrup
• Muddled Cucumber
• Lavender Bitters
• Lime
• Soda
• Fresh Lavender

Method

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle together two inches of cucumber and vanilla syrup.
2. Add remaining ingredients to the shaker, excluding soda.
3. Shake vigorously.
4. Single strain over ice into a Collins glass.
5. Top with soda and garnish with a fresh lavender sprig.

‘Ro-Slay Sangria’ | Tacofino

A perfect patio sipper, Tacofino’s Pride-themed sangria will have you shouting “Ro-Slay All Day!” and ordering another round.  The pink-hued punch offers a south-of-the-border spin on the classic Spanish sangria and features a mélange of rosé, tequila, agave and fresh berries.

INGREDIENTS

• 12oz (350mL) Santa Ema Rosé
• 4oz (115mL) Fresh Lime Juice
• 4oz (115mL) El Jimador Blanco
• 2oz (60mL) Agave Nectar
• 2oz (60mL) Club Soda
• Fresh Fruit (Peaches, Strawberries, Blueberries) and Mint

METHOD

Combine all ingredients in a 25oz pitcher and serve into individual glasses.

Tacofino’s ‘Ro-Slay Sangria’ ($8 glass, $24 pitchers) will be available from August 3 to 6 at both Gastown Taco Bar and Hastings location in honour of Vancouver’s Pride Week celebrations. $1 from each glass and $2 from each pitcher sold will be donated to QMUNITY a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC that works to improve queer, trans, and Two-Spirit lives.

‘Raspberry Punch’ | The Salted Vine

Sweet and summery, The Salted Vine’s ‘Raspberry Punch’ cocktail is the perfect bevy to cool you down following an afternoon in the great outdoors. From July 30 to August 5, 10% of the proceeds from each cocktail will be donated to Safe ‘n Sound, a Squamish-based non-profit organization that celebrates and honours lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer + citizens, their families and allies, through awareness, education, visibility and resources.

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