by Talia Kleinplatz | The clocks have sprung forward, the days are getting longer, and with any luck our snow days are behind us. It’s time to dust off the old spring jacket and celebrate the coming of better and brighter days with a few refreshing, seasonal sippers made right here in Vancouver. The following are five of our favourite spring cocktails, presented for your ranking consideration…

LOST IN TRANSLATION | L’Abattoir | 217 Carrall St. | GASTOWN | www.labattoir.ca
One of our favourite classic cocktails gets a delightful, low-proof makeover with Campari, Gekkeikan Sake, elderflower, lemon and orange (pictured above). The only potential trouble with this play on a Negroni is that one could easily drink four of them in a single sitting. Go easy!

HALONA COVE | Nightingale | 1017 West Hastings | DOWNTOWN | www.hawknightingale.com
A tropical mix of rum, pineapple, coconut, lime, and all-spice named for the scenic Hawaiian beach oasis made famous in the award-winning film “From Here to Eternity.” Just imagine sipping one of these Tiki-inspired beauties with Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr while relaxing on a white sand beach…

MARY ELLEN SMITH | PiDGiN | 350 Carrall St. | GASTOWN | www.pidginvancouver.com
Much like the woman herself, this cocktail is light and refreshing but also a force to be reckoned with at Gastown’s PiDGiN. The combination of gin, carbonated sake, lime and cucumber is bright and effervescent, perfect for the transition into spring. Just don’t underestimate her strength!

CLOCKWORK BLOOD ORANGE | AnnaLena | 1809 West 1st Ave. | KITSILANO | www.annalena.ca
An old favourite from the folks at AnnaLena. This riff on a French 75 brings in bright flavours of blood orange (via tea) and Cocchi Rosa for a delicious twist on the ginny classic. And what better way to celebrate the coming of better weather than with a glass of bubbles?

VAN ISLE ICED TEA | Prohibition | 801 West Georgia St. | DOWNTOWN | www.prohibitionrhg.com
What do you get when you combine rum, mezcal, kola nut, Fernet and bourbon? A grown up version of the under-appreciated Long Island Iced Tea. With the addition of hibiscus syrup and black tea, the Van Isle Iced Tea is a sophisticated take on the 80’s favourite and a refined refreshment befitting the season.

VOTE!

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