VFF

Art of the Cocktail Schedule

The Tastings (Click to go straight to the Tastings)
Workshops (Click to go straight to the Workshops)
The Dinners (Click to go straight to the Dinners)

Tastings and Workshops at Victoria Arts Connection, 2750 Quadra St.

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The Tasting Room:

Taste spirits you've never tried, watch Demonstrations, and collect recipes
Distillery ambassadors, representatives and lounges will be offering tastes of their products or creating sophisticated cocktails for sampling. Wander around the Tasting Room sampling the cocktails that appeal to you while catching tips from mixologists, authors and reps. Take in ongoing demonstrations on our side stage that will run throughout the Tastings. Demonstrations include the competition for the Best Mixologist in the Pacific Northwest, a Flair demonstration and new trends worth trying.

Tasting stations hosted by:

More to come...

Select a Tasting time:
November 7 Saturday 1 - 4 PM
or
November 7 Saturday 7 - 10 PM
or
November 8 Sunday 1 - 4 PM

Tickets on sale now

Tickets for entry into each of the Tasting sessions are $35. Tickets are only available in advance. No tickets will be available at the door. Cocktail samples are $1each and tokens can be bought on site, cash only.

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Workshops
The Art of the Cocktail brings the most notable mixologists and distillers to Victoria to lead 90 minute workshops on topics that will inspire your cocktail making and raise your game. Tickets for each Workshop are $20 and only available in advance.

Check the following link www.latimesmagazine.com/2009/11/mezcal.html
and this one www.latimesmagazine.com/2009/11/mezcal-cocktails-juquila.html

Cocktails of the 1890s
November 7 - 12:00 PM SOLD OUT!
If current research holds true, cocktails harken as far back as 5000 years ago though it wasn't until the 1800s that North Americans took their mixed drinks seriously, and bartenders could achieve the kind of fame that rock stars enjoy today. As we revive the art of mixology let's take a look back and sample some of the early classics that inspire today's cocktail masters.
Mixologist: David Wolowidnyk

How Good is Your Palate?
November 7 - 12:00 PM
Start the festival off right with Kevin Brauch from the Thirsty Traveler who will lead you on a journey to open up your palate and prepare you for the varied tastings at Art of the Cocktail. Gain a better understanding of how to balance sugar with other taste components, and use it to create tantalizing cocktails. Insider's secrets and an array of new sensory skills will make you a confident taster of spirits and a creator of great cocktails.

Mixologist: Kevin Brauch

Molecular Mixology
November 7 - 4:00 PM SOLD OUT!
November 8 - 2:00 PM
Want to modernize your Old Fashioned, or put a little style in your Mojito? Lately cocktails have been in a renaissance period and there is an increased interest in making them a culinary equal. Molecular mixology is one of those trends that is being mirrored from the kitchen creating unique combination's that include pearling ingredients, working with foams and gels and solidifying ingredients to create unique drink textures and flavours. Check out this video to see an example of this fun trend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvO_566t36k
Mixologist: Danielle Tatarin, Designer Cocktail Company

Back to the Kitchen
November 7 - 12:00 PM
November 8 - 12:00 PM
Are you fed up with commercial tonic water? – Too sweet, no depth of flavour? Then this workshop is for you. Learn how to make Tonic, Ginger Beer and more and discover the cocktails that love them.
Mixologist: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

The Comeback Kid
November 7 - 4:00 PM CANCELLED
Better known as the Green Fairy, Absinthe is taking a stab at returning to its former glory as the drink of choice for artists and writers. Banned in the early 1900s it has made a great comeback since being reauthorized in the 1990s. Over 200 brands are now being produced. Wonderful to sip on its own, Absinthe is also playing a more prevalent role in the cocktails being created by serious mixologists.
Distiller: Gwydion Stone

Whisky Cocktails - What Becomes a Legend Most
November 7 - 2:00 PM
November 8 - 4:00 PM
Manhattans, Old Fashioneds and Vieux Carres are the classics and in the case of the Old Fashioned has been around since the 1880s. Explore the history and controversy of whisky and cocktails and decide for yourself. Bourbon or Rye?
Mixologist: Charlotte Voisey

The Best is Fresh
November 7 - 2:00 PM
Today’s diners and drinkers are seeing a bold new integration of culinary art and cocktail culture. Making consistently great cocktails requires the freshest ingredients and additions from the farmer’s market, garden, or pantry and can elevate classic cocktails to the next level. Think seasonal cocktails, with a clean, contemporary approach that use the finest spirits and fresh ingredients to create cocktails for every occasion.
Mixologist: Bridget Albert, Author of Market-Fresh Mixology; Master Mixologist, Southern Wine & Spirits

The Heart of Mexico
November 7 - 4:00 PM
Join Art of the Cocktail as we pay our respects to the artisan producers that have truly mastered the alchemy of making great Mezcal. Learn the heritage, the history, and the culture of Mexico's national spirit, the pride of an entire nation. Explore, by tasting, the terroir of Mezcal production, and break down the factors that affect the flavors that are inherent in the spirit. Experience Mezcal as you would Scotch Whisky – as a complex, all natural spirit with flavours varying significantly from village to village.
Mixologist: Ron Cooper, Founder Del Maguay, Single Village Mezcal

It’s Always Better with Bitters
November 7 - 2:00 PM
Many believe the best cocktails are the perfect alchemy that comes from mixing alcohol, sweet, and bitter. The latest trend is toward boutique bitters' makers with flavours ranging from the ubiquitous orange to unique flavours of lavender, mole and even root beer. Participants will learn how to make bitters and have the opportunity to taste original bitters recipe in a focused selection of cocktails.
Presenters: Scrappy Bitters

Click on the restaurant links above for full menu details!

Each Dinner will have a distinctive menu with a range of cuisine from appetizers to desserts, served along with extraordinary cocktails of all variations and flavors. At each spirited dinner, a team of authors, mixologists, and bar-chefs have worked alongside Victoria’s most prestigious restaurants to bring you a unique and exciting menu.

Dinner guests will learn mixing and pairing techniques straight from the menu designers. To further enrich your experience, these creators will be on-hand for advice on anything food or cocktail.

In order to ensure an intimate dining experience, space has been limited and reservations are required. Dinners combine quality service, remarkable menus, and an unforgettable encounter. Dinners will include a fabulous four to six course meal, and a paired cocktail with each course.

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Surviving the Art of the Cocktail
The key to surviving any event involving alcoholic spirits is not to over indulge. Practice quality over quantity. You can help yourself by drinking lots of water during the tasting and having a solid meal before the event. Your sense of smell can also be temporarily affected by strong alcohol aromas and the act of simply sniffing a glass of still water for a few moments will 'reset' your nose or try taking a big breath in through the nose and out through the mouth.

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Get Home Safe
The Art of the Cocktail supports responsible drinking, it is a condition of entry that participants do not drink and drive. The laws of the liquor control and licensing act will be strictly adhered to. Volunteers will be available to take you home within the Greater Victoria area. Or, if you live outside the zone where rides are available, why not take advantage of the great $89 rate at the Chateau Victoria.

Click here for bus schedules or call Victoria Taxi to bring you to the event.

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Fundraiser for the Victoria Film Festival
Contact: sip@artofthecocktail.ca