As the 2010 Olympic Games approach, a few Vancouver restaurants and bars are getting into the Games-time spirit with their own Olympic-related beverage promotions. Here are some of the players, I had a chance to meet Bartender, “Jetside Johnny” at the Jetside Bar located inside the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel. Johhny has been with the hotel for the past 10 years and he has created these spectacular drinks to celebrate the upcoming Olympics. During the games athletes and their entourage will be enjoying these beverages as they travel thru the airport, you don’t have to be an athlete to join in the celebration. Take advantage of the days prior to the Olympics and go and visit these great bars around the city. Canada Line will take you close to each of these bars, leave your cars at home and enjoy the ride.

Jetside Bar

Fans looking for more of a buzz than a boost will stop by the Jetside Bar at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport for a blueberry pomegranate infused ‘Canada Line Cosmo,’ made in honour of the Canada Line Skytrain.

Guests, Olympians and fans looking for a healthy charge during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games can rush to the Fairmont Vancouver Airport’s signature restaurant, Globe @ YVR for gourmet to go energy boosters. Whether dashing to the Richmond Olympic Oval or crossing continents, those who want a quick stamina boost can grab the new “Long Track” energy drink smoothie. It provides a healthy jolt of Olympic proportions: an all-natural frozen blended fruit drink, infused with B6, B12, green tea, marionberry and locally sourced organic bee pollen. There are no additives, preservatives, dairy, gluten, or nuts.

The Yew Bar

Mixing it up in YEW bar, they have created three unique Olympic inspired cocktails designed to commemorate Canada’s Olympic presence. Each drink offers flavors unique to our Canadian culture.

BRONZE – Montreal 1976 is made with Canadian Rye infused with Quebec maple sugar and granny smith apple.

SILVER – Calgary 1988 amps up the traditional Caesar with Buffalo Jerky infused Vodka, chili pepper, secret spice and YEW bar’s own house made clamato.

GOLD – Vancouver 2010 showcases one of B.C’s biggest exports. The cocktail is made with dill and cucumber infused Gin from Victoria’s new distillery and a candied smoke salmon garnish.

Visit the YEW bar and celebrate the Olympics Four Seasons style!

The Granville Room

As the Olympic torch makes its way across Canada, the Granville Room shows its spirit with their Olympic-inspired cocktails, created by resident bar star Trevor Kallies. Available until the end of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, each cocktail is inspired by a great Canadian Olympic moment and showcases Canadian liquor and ingredients. Trevor created five cocktails in honour of the five Olympic rings, which sell for $9 each.

The Winner Take All, inspired by Cindy Klassen’s 2006 speed skating performance in Turin, blends Crown Royal Special Reserve Whiskey, honey syrup, Gamay Noir float and flamed orange peel. Lord of the Oval is named for Gaetan Boucher’s three medals in long-track speed skating at 1984’s Sarajevo games, and marries Wiser’s deluxe, muddled red grapes, peach bitters, ginger ale and peach juice. The Gold, Silver and Greene, inspired by Nancy Greene’s 1968 double medal performance in Grenoble, melds Victoria gin, Barnston Island basil, simple syrup, grapefruit juice and orange-flower water. The Double Lucky Loonie, named for the men’s and women’s hockey teams (which both took home gold from the 2002 games in Salt Lake City), blends Canadian Club Premium Whiskey, maple syrup, Whistler Black Tusk Ale and Sortilege Canadian Whiskey & Maple Liqueur. The Golden Redemption, named for Jamie Salé and David Pelletier’s near miss of figure skating gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City games, marries Alberta Premium Rye with applesauce, fresh lemon juice and a dash of Fee Brothers’ rhubarb bitters.

By: Richard Wolak