Mademoiselle Cointreau – The Quest for the Best Female Bartender in Canada began its cross-Canada tour in Vancouver at The Blackbird on June 11th. Cointreau, the famous orange liqueur to presents the very first Canadian cocktail competition exclusively dedicated to women.  Danielle Tartarin took first place in the contest with Evelyn Chick pulling up in a close second. The contest was presented by Alfred Cointreau with the support of head judge Joanne Sasvari, respected author and spirit journalist.

 Danielle Tartarin works her pouring magic.

Evelyn Chick shakes up the Ladies in L’voire (recipe below)

The Cointreau team will continue traveling across Canada looking for the most creative and talented female bartenders. The National competition will also visit Calgary, Toronto and Montreal to challenge the skills of professional mixologists.

Cointreau liqueur was invented in 1875, driven by the energy of its creator, Édouard Cointreau. In tribute to his beloved muse Louisa, he created just the right blend of sweet and bitter orange peel flavours, inspired by the heart of femininity. By representing the essence of French lifestyle, it has become through the ages an icon in the cocktail world. Inspired by Edouard’s love story, Cointreau decided to explore the country to find its next muse: Mademoiselle Cointreau!

We’ve got the scoop on Chick’s and Tartarin’s recipes:

Belle Jardin Fizz – Tartarin
1 ½ oz Cointreau
½ oz Orange Bitters
4 Lime water & thyme ice cubes*
4 Orange water & thyme ice cubes**
Top with Aloe Soda Water***
Hydrosol of Thyme, Lavender, Mint & Orange.
Spray the Hydrosol around the area as you start to make the cocktail.
In a mixing glass stir together Cointreau and Orange Bitters with 2 of each of the flavoured ice cubes.
Place the remainder of the flavoured ice cubes in to a Collins glass and pour the chilled & diluted cocktail into the glass. Top with Aloe Soda Water.
Garnish with a fresh thyme sprig and finish by spraying the hydrosol in the air and over the drink before consuming.

*Lime Water Ice Cubes – in a tray of 1” square ice cubes add ¼ oz of Lime juice, 1 pinch fresh thyme sprig and one long orange zest. Top with water. Freeze until solid and use to mix the Belle Jardin Fizz.
**Orange Water Ice Cubes – in a tray of 1” square ice cubes add ¼ oz of Orange juice, 1 pinch fresh thyme sprig and one long lime zest. Top with waterFreeze until solid and use to mix the Belle Jardin Fizz.
***Aloe Soda Water – In a soda ciphon combine 2 oz of pure Aloe Juice with 10 oz of distilled water. Charge and keep refrigerated.

Ladies in L’voire – Chick
1.5 oz Cointreau
.25 oz green chartreuse
.5 oz lime juice
.5 oz lemon juice
2 dashes angostura
3 dashes housemade rosemary tincture
1 tbsp bergamot sorbet

Shake in perlini, charge with CO2 and serve in a punch cup garnish with sprig of rosemary