The Vancouver Foodster 5th Sangria Challenge was a success featuring sangria creations from restaurants and distilleries around Vancouver and Squamish. Each establishment featured their sangria creation from June 2-25, 2023 .
The Winners are:
1st Place:
{110 points}
Raincity Distillery
Raincity Sangria Blanche
Price: $14
Created by: the team
Description: A sangria bursting with vibrant flavors, boasting a robust depth and a delightful medley of fruity goodness.
Ingredients: White Wine blend, Raincity Barrel Aged Gin, Tropical Fruits, Berries, Citrus, Warm Spices, Mint
Available: Daily
Raincity Distillery
38918 Progress Way #8, Squamish
Tel: (604) 390-1122
Web:https://raincitydistillery.ca/
Instagram @raincitydistillery
2nd Place:
{106 points}
Pizza Carano collab with Hai Tea
Ibisco Sangria
Price: $12
Created by: Cristobal Valdes and Domonique Martin
Description: TEQUILA | refreshing | vibrant | fruity
Ingredients: Tequila Blanco, Hibiscus Syrup, Cold Pressed Lemon Juice, Pink Peppercorn Limoncello, Vermentino and Hibiscus Hai Tea
Offered: Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday 5pm-10pm; Friday – Saturday 5pm-11pm
Pizza Carano
4241 Fraser St, Vancouver
Tel: 604-877-1270
Web: http://www.pizzacarano.com/
Instagram @PizzaCarano and @haiteabeverages
3rd Place:
{101 points}
Resurrection Spirits
Southern Sky Sangria
Price: $15
Created by: the team
Description: Soft fruits of pear, kiwi, and strawberry, with a peppery undertone and fresh basil aromatics, all brought together with brandy, elderflower liqueur and a delicate NZ Sauv Blanc.
Ingredients: Red pear, Kiwi, Strawberry, Basil, Green Madagascar Peppercorn, Brandy, Elderflower liqueur, NZ Sauv Blanc.
Available: Thursday – Saturday all day.
Resurrection Spirits
1672 Franklin Street, Vancouver
Tel:(604) 253-0059
Web: https://www.resurrectionspirits.ca/
Instagram @resurrectionspirits
In the People’s Choice Awards category, the public who tried the Sangria creations were the ones who had the opportunity to cast their vote throughout the challenge.
The Winners are:
1st Place People’s Choice:
Pizza Carano collab with Hai Tea
Ibisco Sangria
Price: $12
Created by: Cristobal Valdes and Domonique Martin
Description: TEQUILA | refreshing | vibrant | fruity
Ingredients: Tequila Blanco, Hibiscus Syrup, Cold Pressed Lemon Juice, Pink Peppercorn Limoncello, Vermentino and Hibiscus Hai Tea
Offered: Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday 5pm-10pm; Friday – Saturday 5pm-11pm
Pizza Carano
4241 Fraser St, Vancouver
Tel: 604-877-1270
Web: http://www.pizzacarano.com/
Instagram @PizzaCarano and @haiteabeverages
2nd Place People’s Choice:
Raincity Distillery
Raincity Sangria Blanche
Price: $14
Created by: the team
Description: A sangria bursting with vibrant flavors, boasting a robust depth and a delightful medley of fruity goodness.
Ingredients: White Wine blend, Raincity Barrel Aged Gin, Tropical Fruits, Berries, Citrus, Warm Spices, Mint
Available: Daily
Raincity Distillery
38918 Progress Way #8, Squamish
Tel: (604) 390-1122
Web:https://raincitydistillery.ca/
Instagram @raincitydistillery
3rd Place People’s Choice (tie):
Showcase Restaurant & Bar
Summer Bliss Sangria
Price: $18
Created by: the team
Description: Indulge in the ultimate refreshment with the Summer Bliss Sangria, a dynamic white sangria designed to perfectly compliment a hot summer day. Enjoy the intricate harmony of sake, bourbon, Cointreau, and Semillon wine that create a symphony of vibrant and deep flavors. With every sip immerse yourself in the delightful fusion of juicy pear, exotic lychee, tangy orange and succulent raspberries, and let the flavors elevate you into a state of bliss.
Ingredients· Hakutsuru Sake, Makers Mark Bourbon, Cointreau, Bartier Bros Semillon white wine, gingerale, orange, raspberry, pear, lychee, fresh squeezed lemon juice
Available: 7 days a week
Showcase Restaurant & Bar
1122 W Hastings St, Vancouver
Tel:(604) 639-4040
Web: http://www.showcaserestaurant.com/
Instagram @showcaserestaurant
Resurrection Spirits
Southern Sky Sangria
Price: $15
Created by: the team
Description: Soft fruits of pear, kiwi, and strawberry, with a peppery undertone and fresh basil aromatics, all brought together with brandy, elderflower liqueur and a delicate NZ Sauv Blanc.
Ingredients: Red pear, Kiwi, Strawberry, Basil, Green Madagascar Peppercorn, Brandy, Elderflower liqueur, NZ Sauv Blanc.
Available: Thursday – Saturday all day.
Resurrection Spirits
1672 Franklin Street, Vancouver
Tel:(604) 253-0059
Web: https://www.resurrectionspirits.ca/
Instagram @resurrectionspirits
Our media judging panel determined the ultimate winners of the challenge, and this was quite the task as each judge who tasted each creation with a rigorous process based on taste, originality/uniqueness and presentation/appearance.
Each media judge scored each creation with a maximum of 40 points as follows: Overall Taste 20 points, Originality and Uniqueness 10 points, Presentation and Appearance 10 points. The highest number of points a challenge creation could have been awarded is 120 points.
Our Media judges for this challenge were: David Grange, Jay Minter and Shelley Hayashi.
Thank you to the restaurants and distilleries that accepted my invitation and featured the Sangria Challenge creations on the menu for the past few weeks during this challenge.
I encourage you to visit the winning spots to try their Sangria creations! See all the Sangria Challenge Entries Here.
By: Richard Wolak