The GOODS from Market by Jean-Georges

Vancouver, BC | With the holidays just around the corner, visions of spiked eggnog and hot toddies are beginning to dance in our heads. While the well-poured traditions of the holidays are cherished, the bar team at Market has created an innovative roster that is sure to steal the spotlight. Under the direction of new bar manager, Gianluigi Bosco, Market’s new menu presents experiential cocktails and spirit-free creations, botanical waters, and aromatic wines, all infused with the transformative powers of hydrosols.

Hydrosols are non-alcoholic concentrations that are produced by distilling water infused with fresh herbs, fruits, and spices, such as peppermint, cloves, cinnamon, rose, and lavender. Market works with Canadian distillers who produce a variety of hydrosols, which Bosco and his team use to create Market’s own signature blends that are incorporated into in all aspect of the drink menu, including aromatic wines.

Market’s line of fortified wines are prepared and bottled in-house and come in three distinct blends: Spiced is red wine, Calvados, ginger syrup, with a spiced hydrosols blend; Botanical is white and Juniper-infused vodka, fennel syrup and a botanical hydrosols blend; Citrus is rose? and Pinot Noir Marc, which is infused for up to a month with oranges, lemons, grapefruits and vanilla.

Bringing aroma and presentation to the forefront is Bosco’s modus operandi, particularly when it comes to non-alcoholic beverages, which he feels are often neglected.

“The hydrosol blends we use offer a complexity and depth of flavour that is typically synonymous with spirited craft cocktails, however they have the power to eclipse your average mocktail,” said Bosco. Low and no-alcohol drinks have been steadily rising in popularity, and are poised to be one of the biggest trends heading into the new year. Bosco recommends ditching your cranberry and soda for the Lamiaceae, a refreshing blend of carrot juice, peach preserve, a hydrosol blend of mint, Melissa and lemon verbena, with a smoky finish thanks to toasted mustard seeds.

Another standout spirit-free cocktail is The Bering Tea, which uses a rich blend of carbonated oolong tea – from Vancouver-based favourite O5 Rare Tea Bar – yuzu juice, and birch syrup. Adding to the aesthetic is the hand-carved and branded ice cubes that Bosco creates for many of Market’s signature cocktails.

One of the must-try cocktails is the Hops & Beets, made with Sheringham Aquavit, Calvados, fresh beets, apples, ginger, egg whites, and a spiced hydrosol blend. To finish, it’s charged with an east coast style IPA from Backcountry Brewing in Squamish, which changes the cocktail on the palate.

Taking the title for most Instagrammable cocktail is the Butterfly Effect. This mesmerizing cocktail is made using Sons of Vancouver vodka, Okanagan Spirit’s Maraschino, and O5 Rare Tea’s Dream blend – which uses butterfly pea flower – which magically changes colours from a deep blue to rich violet when poured into a delicate coupe glass spritzed with citrus.

Originally hailing from Italy, Bosco has acquired over 15 years of bartending experience spanning seven countries. Fluent in Italian, Spanish, French and English, he is passionate about creating cocktails that are designed to get a reaction. His penchant for presentation is understandable as a former competitive flair bartender. One of the memorable moments of his career includes winning the IBA Flair Bartending World Championship in Berlin in 2009. Bosco’s current approach to designing a beverage program relies on a healthy mix of creativity, technique, and taste above all. In 2018, Bosco moved to Vancouver, Canada, where he currently oversees the beverage program at Market by Jean-Georges.

Market by Jean-Georges is located on the third floor of Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver and is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Market Bar is open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight Friday and Saturday. Enjoy daily happy hour from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information and to view the full bar menu, visit www.marketkitchen.com.

MARKET by Jean-Georges

Neighbourhood: Downtown

1115 Alberni St.

(Closed)

604-695-1115

WEBSITE