The Vancouver Club has been running a summer series of cocktail nights that features a celebrity bartender who creates a line-up of special cocktails. Each bartender presents a line-up of unique cocktails which he or she makes and serves during the evening. Then all 5 bartenders are invited back to compete in a final round-up event where their signature cocktails are served and guests then have a chance to vote for their favourites. This summer’s final takes place on August 26^th and is open to all Vancouver Club members.

I was invited to capture all the cocktailing action when Robyn Gray presented his lineup of New Orleans inspired cocktails with a twist on July 8^th.

Robyn began his career in Glasgow, Scotland at age 18 and developed a lifelong passion for bartending and hospitality. Dedication to the craft and to bartending in Canada has driven Robyn to become the Secretary of the Canadian Professional Bartenders Association (CPBA). Robyn is well known for precise execution, his attention to detail, extensive use of personally house-made ingredients and twisting the classics. Always pushing the boundaries of his craft with a desire to continuously learn and improve is what allows Robyn to finess the nuances of his industry. He now creates the beverage program for the Hotel Georgia’s Reflections Lounge and 1927 Lobby Lounge.

You can follow Robyn on twitter @robynagray

1st cocktail

The classic French 75 with a twist with Cognac, lemon juice, cane syrup and sparkling wine stored on the rocks with a lemon twist. Robyn explained that this cocktail was originally  created in New Orleans at Harry’s Bar.

2^nd cocktail

Ramos Gin Fizz with a twist made with Gin, lemon, lime, gomme syrup, cream, soda water and orange blossom water

3^rd cocktail

Sazerac with a twist made with American rye whiskey, cane syrup, Pechands bitters and herbs

4^th cocktail

Raincity Monsoon made with light and dark rum, apricot and peach juice, lime juice, Bittered sling Denman bitters

5^th cocktail

Le GazVille is the Gastown twist on a Vieux Carre, made with Canadian Rye Whisky, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, absinthe, Gary Regan’s Orange bitters

This was a great night learning about New Orleans inspired cocktails with Robyn Grays personal twist.

By: Richard Wolak