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A Mint-Infused Maker’s Mark Julep At Hawksworth

awesome

by Andrew Morrison | Like a lot of people in Vancouver yesterday afternoon, I was gripped by Wine Fest fever. This eventually steered me to a seat in the lounge at Hawksworth, where I took 20 minutes to wash my palate with stronger stuff. Barman Jonathan Smolensky’s anecdotes about his recent trip to Kentucky jarred my own good memories of the bourbon trail and put me in the mood for a refreshing, ice cold mint julep, which Smolensky nailed with mint-infused Maker’s Mark bourbon. I love the drink’s clouded backstory; its evolution from 18th century southern Doctor’s elixir and Senatorial staple to its celebrated present-day ubiquity in the commonwealth of Kentucky, where millions are consumed over the course of a weekend to loosen betting wallets before a horse race. Indeed, unlike most cocktails, a properly made julep tells of its terroir: beautiful, rolling Bluegrass hills, wild roadside mint and ancient, ice cold high pH Ordovician springs. I once tried ordering one in Louisville’s famed Seelbach Bar and the bartender – a patient elderly lady – denied me gently with a tut-tut, head-shake and this bit of unforgettable sweetness: “Oh, honey…we only make ’em on Derby day.” Thankfully, the lounge at Hawksworth is more accommodating. Slip into it the next time you’re Downtown.

EVERY AWESOME THING WE DRANK 

The Timely ‘Campfire’ Cocktail At Nomad On Main Street

This is a deliciously spicy little number of Eagle Rare bourbon, dry gin and dry vermouth complicated by ginger syrup, Angostura bitters and charred citrus. The potent, aromatic mix is then poured into a smoke filled rocks glass for the win.

South Africa’s Blankbottle 2015 ‘Moment Of Silence’

Seek and taste now, because there’s every assurance this exact wine will never be again. For the better. Crazy good value for this level of everything.

Brilliant, Food Friendly ‘Red Pilsner’ From Steel & Oak

Despite all the hop bombs, delectably balanced pale ales, and brett-conditioned saisons the organizers had secured, many of the bearded beer geek set in attendance preferred the nuanced charms of Occidental's perfectly executed Bohemian-style lager...

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