
MadeWithLove is the name, and serious, handcrafted cocktails is the game.
MadeWithLove National Mixology Competition finals happened in the Vieux-Montréal hotspot, Auberge Saint-Gabriel, and the lineup was smokin’ hot! Incidentally, the event is also the closing party for Montreal’s Invasion Cocktail, where cocktail lovers armed with a drink passport, sampled some of the city’s finest adult beverages at participating bars for one full week. Taking in the breathtaking surroundings and geared with a camera in one hand and a cocktail in the other, we were challenged to taste 14 new and exotic drinks and treated to cocktail-paired bites from Auberge Saint-Gabriel’s chef, Émilie Rizzetto.
The drinks were made by 14 of Canada’s finest mixologists, finalists in a week-long competition that spanned seven different Canadian cities since May 2013.
Here are some of the Nuda-lights of the evening:
One of Jessica’s top picks was the mango-pineapple-jalepeno cocktail made by Dan Vorsterman, known as Field Guide.
The ingredients included:
1800 tequila
Aperol
Lime juice
Grapefruit juice
Charred jalapeno & pineapple cordial
Orange bitters
Sea salt
This one was absolutely FAB-ulous as well. We would recommend it as an alternative to dessert Any.Day. Just check out that perfect layering :3
Mike Shum (of Pacific Rim Fairmont Hotel, Vancouver) stole the show with his 1st place win.
His drink was known as La Maison d’Escoffier and you can try to make it at home with the following recipe:
1 1/2 oz Courvoisier VS cognac
1/2 oz Cinzano Rosso vermouth
1/2 oz Alvear fino sherry
1/2 oz homemade spiced and bittered maple syrup
1 dash Scrappy’s cardamom bitters
Stir over hand cracked ice and strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish
lovingly with a shaving of white truffle.


Another one of our favourites was a drink by Matt Boyle, known as Tulum Engagement
1800 Tequila
Campari
Strawberry-pepper infused Cinzano
Homemade tomato water
Salt
Garnished with a strawberry and cilantro sprig
Check out this nifty video for an overview of the competition.

Maude’s top pick was a white-russian variety made by Jay Meyers, from Toronto’s Hudson Kitchen. It went along the lines of (let’s face it, I’d had a few by this point): chai tea infusion, cream, vodka, and nutmeg. Dessert in a glass! See also: tastes like Christmas.




All Competitors :
Philippe Grandbois – Calgary, justcocktails.org
James Nguyen – Calgary, Model Milk
Matt Boyle – Halifax, The Bicycle Thief
Dan Vorstermans – Halifax, Field Guide
Pierre Gadouas – Montreal, Le Saint Édouard – Bar de quartier & Crowd Bar & FLair
Eddy Germain – Montreal, Le LAB, Comptoir à Cocktails
Remi Bernard – Quebec City, Bistro B
Simon Faucher – Quebec City, Restaurant Le Saint-Amour
Jay Meyers – Toronto, Hudson Kitchen
Michael Mooney – Toronto, Geraldine
Mike Shum – Vancouver, Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel
Shea Hogan – Vancouver, The Shameful Tiki Room
Marc Tessier – Winnipeg, Hermanos Restaurant & Wine Bar
Erik K Thordarson – Winnipeg, Deseo Bistro
Member of the jury:
Brynley Leach – Montreal Ambassador,MadeWithLove
Louis Turmel – Quebec City Ambassador,MadeWithLove
Nishan Nepulongoda – Toronto Ambassador,MadeWithLove
Pierre-Olivier Trempe – Producer & Founder,MadeWithLove
MadeWithLove™ is proud to work with the following exclusive sponsors:
1800 Tequila
Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum
Campari
Canadian Club Whisky
Courvoisier cognac
Hendrick’s Gin
Jim Beam
SKYY Vodka
How do you prefer your poison: shaken, or stirred?
Article written by: Maude, Clare and Jessica.
Special thanks to Katherine Boushel (PR) and Pierre Gadouras for the photos.