Every restaurant has a signature drink – it’s an age-old tradition! Gastown’s best restaurants are tipping their hats to cocktail culture featuring signature concoctions created by the city’s best bartenders. So, why not come down for a cocktail hop? Here’s a guide to discovering the signature cocktails served at Gastown’s finest.
The Greedy Pig
Signature Drink: The Roughrider
With a name like Greedy Pig, expect your appetite and thirst to be completely satisfied. The gastro pub offers artisan comfort food and unique whisky and bourbon cocktails. Try the Roughrider, their signature cocktail with Canadian Rye Whiskey shaken with pureed raspberries, black raspberry liqueur and fresh lime juice topped with ginger beer, served tall.
Water St Café
Signature Drink: Vodka Martini
Water Street Café delivers the classics – West Coast-Italian plates, classic cocktails and specialty martinis. The drink menu is quite extensive featuring speciality coffees, nigthcaps, and refreshing originals like Red Passion Champagne cocktail and Gold Apple slider – perfect for the summer! Enjoy people watching from their outdoor patio and order their signature Vodka Martini, a mix of Stolichnaya, Finlandia, and Absolut vodka.
The Irish Heather
Signature Drink: Black Velvet
Care for beer cocktail? The Irish Heather is best known for serving great beer – however, the European gastro pub also offers a solid selection of classic libations and beer cocktails mixed with traditional recipes. Try their signature Black Velvet drink, made with equal parts Guinness and cider with the Guinness floating on top.
Rodney’s Oyster House
Signature Drink: Caeasar
It’s always a fun time at Rodney’s Oyster House. The Gastown fish shack offers great seafood and fresh raw oysters, shucked and served by friendly countermen. A visit to Rodney’s wouldn’t be complete without their popular Caesar made with freshly ground horseradish and crushed ice. Come by from 3pm-6pm for affordable west coast beach oysters featured on their daily “low tide” specials.
Gringo
Signature Drink: The Pink Flamingo
If your day calls for a causal hangout spot, head to Gringo. This taco joint offers friendly hospitality, affordable tacos and fun Mexican-themed cocktails. Perch yourself on their colourful patio chairs and order the Pink Flamingo, a tasty mix of pink grapefruit, tequila, and beer.
La Casita
Signature Drink: Top Shelf Margarita
Stop by La Casita for a fiesta of Mexican cuisine and fun cocktails inspired from south of the border. The family-owned La Casita serves a killer variety of classic and super-sized margaritas to quench your thirst. For a more sophisticated cocktail, order their Top Shelf Margarita made with Hornitos Tequila and Grand Marnier.
Tuc Craft Kitchen
Signature Drink: Avation
Get comfortable and have a few cocktails at Tuc Craft Kitchen. Tuc offers hearty West Coast fare, fine wines, local beers, and classic libations, like Bourbon Sour and Brandy Alexander. There are a few creative originals on their cocktail list. The Aviation is must-try signature, made with Tanqueray gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violet, and lemon juice
Six Acres
Signature Drink: Chill Winfield
Dine outside their patio or sit inside their candle-lit room – Six Acres is a great spot for cocktails, life chats, and cozy intimacy. Although Six Acres is known for their top-notch beer list, they also serve creative libations and classic cocktails like Old Fashioned and French 75. For an original cocktail, try their signature Chill Winfield, a mix of dark rum, Amaro Montenegro and organic apple.
Steamworks
Signature Drink: Signature Caesar
Grab your friends and come down to Steamworks for great drinks and delicious no-fuss food. Their drink menu has a variety of fun drinks including refreshing beer cocktails, classic cocktails, and fishbowl-size Sangrias. Be sure to get your Caesar on! Steamworks serves a fantastic smokey-flavoured Caesar made with Smirnoff vodka, clamato juice, smoky sauce, fresh lime juice, savory spiced rim, celery, olive and a spicy bean.
Stay tuned for the third installment of Gastown’s signature cocktail guide!
Related post: Gastown’s Guide to Signature Cocktails (Part 1)
