Cocktail-Blog
Art of the Cocktail Amazingness PDF Print E-mail
Cocktail-Blog
Art of the Cocktail has come and gone all too quickly. Thank you to all of our guests, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors and everyone else for making this a great inaugural event. It wouldn't have been the success it was without everyone that was a part of it and looks to be an integral part of keeping the Victoria Film Festival alive.

I'd like to congratulate David Wolowidnyk for taking first place in the Best Mixoligist of the Pacific Northwest Competition. It was no easy feat considering the competition. Finishing 2nd was Danielle Tatarin, also from Vancouver, founder of the Designer Cocktail Company. And taking home 3rd place honours was Victoria's own Solomon Siegel. Congrats to each of you, and thank you to all participants.

Thanks to our presenters who seemed to mutually enjoy the experience; Jeffrey Morgenthaler, @jeffmorgen, all the way from Portland, didn't "want to leave Canada" and raved, "this Festival has been incredible, hope I'm invited back next year." Lauren Mote, @poivremedia, "…had a rocking' good time!!!" as well.

Chat from guests was much the same; @pollockdan stated, "The Molecular Mixology and Whiskey workshops were amazing." @5heila said it was a "totally impressive event." Everyone seemed to have a great time and we are all very appreciative of that.

On Twitter, it was nice to see the positive responses all around, and @toots11, a Twitter contest winner, even created a new hashtag #artofcocktail to post all of her TwitPics which others started using as well. Amazing feedback all around for the event.

So, I guess now we have to wait a year for the next one; I'm already excited. Should be even bigger and better... if that's possible.

Pic of Solomon Siegel creating a cocktail storm;
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Art of the Cocktail Primer Tomorrow PDF Print E-mail
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Art of the Cocktail Primer Tomorrow, Wednesday November 4th at Solomon's.
As Art of the Cocktail quickly approaches, Solomon Siegel will be having a $5 Martini, Manhattan or Old Fashioned special from 6-8pm to help prepare himself for the Best Mixologist of the Pacific Northwest competition (not that he needs to) and create exposure for Art of the Cocktail. Solomon is an early favourite to win the competition according to some of the industry professionals in town.

Along with the cheap drinks, there's also going to be an Amazing Cocktail Quiz to give patrons a chance to win free tickets to the main event.

Before the official Art of the Cocktail Primer starts, Solomon will also be hosting "Aperitivo" from 4:20-6pm. This is a Northern Italy tradition that encourages a pre-dinner drink and some free homemade bar snacks that will prepare you for dinner by opening your palate.

So, get primed, come to Solomon's tomorrow and have some $5 drinks and a good time. Click here for more details.
Solomon Siegel
 
I'm Trying the Cocktail Art This Weekend! PDF Print E-mail
Cocktail-Blog
It's Friday and it's just a week away from Art of the Cocktail, so being engaged in this beautiful art form, I've decided I'm going to try my own hand at it this weekend. I've never made a cocktail, and only have ever enjoyed them. But for one to truly appreciate something, I believe that they have to try and find out first hand just how hard it is.

I'm not the type that thinks things I've never done would be easy based off ignorance. I know that making a cocktail is an art form, but I've started my homework and I hope I can get by without embarrassing myself with my first attempt. There's a lot of websites with great info on cocktails for beginners, but the one I've found to be the most helpful for me is Oh Gosh. There's a beginners section that features; tools and equipment, cocktail shakers, bitters, ingredients and ice.

Although that's where I've done my research, our cocktail of the week is what I intend on trying to create (or at least my first creation). The recipe is in our Know More section, and comes from realfoodmadeeasy blog. The Gotham Spiced Apple Pi… mmmmm. I love apple pie, can't imagine not loving this.
The Gotham Spiced Apple Pi

Whichever resource you find most useful, I do suggest everyone to have a go at this art form, and hopefully even make their own original cocktail creations. Even if you're horrible, practice makes perfect… or at least the alcohol will make you think you've gotten better if you keep at it long enough. Let me know on Twitter how things go in your own adventures @artofcocktail
 
Twitter Contests for Free Tickets! PDF Print E-mail
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Trying to spread the word of a fantastic fundraiser Victoria Film Festival has taken to Twitter to hold contests to do just that.

By posting or linking your favourite cocktail, you can gain free entry to this fabulous event. Pretty simple way of winning a free pass. The deadline is Oct 29th by 4pm PST.

On top of this, keep your eye out for other Twitter contests as they'll surely be more, likely as early as this week.

Good stuff. Hopefully lots of people participate and in turn, help promote this wonderful fundraiser.
 
Best Mixologists of the Pacific Northwest Competition PDF Print E-mail
Cocktail-Blog
Hello, my name is Jamie Hoover and welcome to my first blog for Art of the Cocktail. I'm looking forward to doing many more of these.

With Art of the Cocktail upcoming I was asked what part I personally thought was the most exciting and I had to put some thought into it. After some consideration, and being someone who loves competition I decided on the Best Mixologist of the Pacific Northwest.

The contest brings in the very best mixologists from all around and lets them battle it out in a series of competitions that will surely separate the elite from the want-to-be elite. There are three rounds; written, blind tasting and then finally the mix off on Sunday.

Mixologists will have specific criteria for their creations and are supposed to use the Vancouver Island based theme ingredient of cedar as much as possible.

All in all, a day tasting cocktails and viewing the Pacific Northwest's best Mixologists trying to prove they're the best to the judging panel seems like a pretty good day to me. Tickets to the Sunday afternoon tasting allows entrance to the competition finals and all tickets must be purchased in advance.