Jonathan Smolensky will have his signature drink, the Dalhousie Cocktail, featured throughout Tales of the Cocktail on Tour Vancouver 

For years now, Tales of Cocktail has been challenging mixologists from around the world to create the flavor of each year’s festivities with the official cocktail. Now that Tales of the Cocktail is taking its show to Vancouver, they have challenged Canada’s best mixologists to create the official cocktail for this spring’s events. After sampling more than 40 submissions from Canadian mixologists, the panel of judges selected Jonathan Smolensky’s Dalhousie as the official cocktail of Tales of the Cocktail on Tour – Vancouver.

Smolensky, a Vancouver-based bartender at the Brix Restaurant and George Ultra Lounge, combined on the history and culture of Canada when selecting the unique ingredients for his cocktail. Even the name, Dalhousie, derives from an iconic Quebec train station that started the Canadian Pacific Railway. In addition to having his cocktail featured throughout the festival, Smolensky will also receive travel, accommodations and event passes to Tales of the Cocktail on Tour Vancouver.

“Sure, Jonathan’s cocktail tasted like no other cocktail ever made. But what really put the Dalhousie over the top was the care and detail that went into creating a cocktail that truly represented Canadian culture.” said Paul Tuennerman, Chief Business Officer of Tales of the Cocktail®.

Two other finalists were recognized for creating exemplary cocktails. Danielle Tatarin (The Keefer Bar – Vancouver) finished second with her Smokey Lake Old Fashioned and Jay Jones (MARKET by Jean-Georges – Vancouver) finished third with his Pacific Ginger Fizz. All recipes were required to use a choice of Canadian whisky aged 10 years or more and participants were encouraged to use ingredients that are indigenous to the provinces of Canada. All entries were submitted online and were judged by a panel of three judges blind with bartender name and establishment hidden from view.

Dalhousie Cocktail Recipe

Start by taking 6-8 Canada plums, which have been dehydrated in coarse sugar, and steep them in Gibson’s 18yr Canadian whisky for 4-5 days.
Then use these ingredients:
60 ml (2 oz.) Canada plum infused 18yr Gibson’s
15 ml (1/2 oz.) Domaine de Canton liqueur
10 ml (1/3 oz.) Zwack Unicum
1-2 dashes of high quality rendition of Boker’s bitters
Lemon peel

• Chill a coupe glass and a mixing/Boston glass.
• In a mixing glass, add the Canada plum infused 18yr Gibson’s, the Domaine de Canton, the Zwack Unicum, and Boker’s bitters. Stir until heavy and properly diluted.
• Remove the pith of the lemon peel and rub the peel on the inside edge of the coupe glass, then toss the peel.
• Double strain all mixed ingredients into the coupe glass and garnish with a small Canada plum fan.

About Tales of the Cocktail on Tour Vancouver
For the first time Tales of the Cocktail is taking it’s show on the road with Tales of the Cocktail on Tour. Our first stop is Vancouver where we’ll be giving Canadian cocktail lovers a small taste of what Tales is all about. This three-day festival will feature the most renowned cocktail experts from Vancouver and beyond at a series of seminars, events and more. So join us in Vancouver this March to sample what’s in store at Tales of the Cocktail 2011.

About Tales of the Cocktail®
Tales of the Cocktail® is the world’s premier cocktail festival, bringing together the most respected minds on mixology for five days of cocktails, cuisine and culture. Held annually in New Orleans, this event has something for cocktail professionals and enthusiasts alike with a spirited schedule of seminars, dinners, competitions, parties and special events where brands showcase their latest products. Now in its ninth year, Tales of the Cocktail® returns with another round of events all perfectly paired with some of the best cocktails ever made. Shake things up at Tales of the Cocktail® 2011, July 20-24.

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society
The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of cocktails and cuisine in New Orleans and beyond. Since it’s founding in 2006 the NOCCPS has supported members of the hospitality industry through educational opportunities such as the Flo Woodward Scholarship and the Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program as well as the production of events like Tales of the Cocktail.

For information and email updates on Vancouver dates, ticket sales and more, visit www.TalesoftheCocktail.com.