On a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, we came across a great little spot for tasting all kinds of Mexican Spirits. Everyone knows Tequila. They might not know good tequila, but they know Tequila. Puerto Vallarta is in the state of Jalisco and all of our bartending students know that’s exactly where tequila must come from. We also point out what different spirits are made from. Tequila has to be made from the sugars of Blue Agave (Tequilana Weber)… at least 51% of them anyways. Better tequilas are certain to use only sugars from Blue Agave but some brands will cheat a little to save some of thos ..read more

The Golden Cadillac is a great blend of vanilla, chocolate and cream… and they go down dangerously fast. If you’re a fan of sweet things, like ice cream, then this is the cocktail for you. Use the herbal Italian vanilla liqueur known as Galliano. Typically you would find Galliano going in a Wallbanger or a Bartender’s Rootbeer. Creme de cacao supplies the chocolate flavours. Cream really is just cream. Half and half, or light whipping cream  would do the trick. We have used almond milk too for this in the past. Add the ingredients to a shaker in equal parts, with cubed ice, and ..read more

Knowing how to make a great cocktail is something everyone should know. When we’re talking cocktails, something more than a standard screwdriver of course. Bartending is a profession that does take some time to master! The general consuming public that is just interested in how to make a great cocktail can also learn those essential cocktail making tips and make bartending a fun hobby too. That’s why we do our Intro to Bartending class for anyone looking to pick up some cocktail making skills. Start Studying Cocktails Ask yourself what went into that last tasty cocktail you had. A well crafted ..read more

Cork is an amazing natural material. With all the effort that a tree puts into creating the spongy bottle stopper it’s a shame to simply toss that cork in the garbage after opening a bottle. There are options to give that cork a second life though through cork recycling programs. What is Cork Recycling? Recycling is a complex process. The biggest challenge for recycling any product is collection. Over the years we have all adapted to plastic bottle recycling, plastic containers, as well as cardboard and newspaper. Most items we buy are recyclable, but it requires a network dedicated to picking ..read more

This spring has been a great one for students coming through our commercial bartending course and getting jobs. There aren’t too many careers out there where just two weeks of schooling can land you a decent paying job. Bartending in Vancouver is fun, and a very fun industry where students just like you can get creative with cocktails! Try problem solving the random issues that pop up behind the bar. Practice some customer psychology and monitor social interactions.  Make some great industry contacts while earning tips. https://www.fineartbartending.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cong ..read more

Gin and Sweet Citrus with a Touch of Tart The Bramble cocktail is a perfect cocktail for any occasion. Think of summer barbecues, fancy dinner parties, or even a night out with friends! Its unique flavour and beautiful presentation make it a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts. For those of you looking for yet another gin and juice cocktail to sip and enjoy year round, the Bramble might be the ticket. This classic cocktail originated in the UK and was intended to be just a summer sipper. Dick Bradsell is the bartender credited with concocting this tasty beverage. He insists this drink be buil ..read more

Whiskies Can Be Spelled Differently Whiskey or Whisky? In Canada, and most of the rest of the world we spell whisky without an ‘e’ before the ‘y’. Depending on if your roots lie in Ireland or America, you might be inclined to include an ‘e’ in your spelling of this aged spirit. Going back to early Gaelic times, a split between the Scots and Irish resulted in language variations. The Irish continued with that ‘e’ in their spelling of the word in religious texts and those Irish brought ‘whiskey making’ to the USA. Look around the rest of the world and you will find Scottish, Japanese, Canadian a ..read more

What Should You Consider When Storing Wine? Wine is alive. Being as this fermented beverage is alive, it reacts either positively or negatively to its environment. How wine is stored will determine how fast or slow a bottle will age. Wine needs to be kept in a clean, dark, damp place with good ventilation. It should be stored vibration free and at a constant temperature. An old castle cellar may be the traditional place for storing wine, but nowadays climate-controlled storage facilities are the best way to store wine that has value. Your downstairs bedroom closet is not a great option. The so ..read more

The Blue Hawaii The Blue Hawaii goes back to the 1950’s and is a cocktail created by a bartender and Bing Crosby fan. Harry Yee was the renowned bartender for many tropical cocktails including the Banana Daiquiri and the Tropical Itch. As with many cocktails, this cocktail seems to have its origins in a pushy booze rep and a case of product to move. Harry appeased the salesman by mixing up a little rum, pineapple and sour mix with samples of his orange flavoured liqueur and labeled the now green coloured drink a ‘Blue Hawaii’. What goes in your Blue Hawaii: 1 oz of white rum 1/2 oz of Blue ..read more