Advice from a bartender for a local aperitif

Do you want to count Quebec products and alcohol among your guests at your holiday gatherings this year? From the aperitif, several options are available to you, especially for cocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages. For those like me who don't know much about it or for those who are used to the classics, it must be said that when we think of the local beverages to serve our guests, we can be a little puzzled and wonder where to start. .

On this subject, I had the chance to speak with a specialist in the field: Jean-Philippe Desloges. Barman for a little over 10 years, he is now the "barchef" of Colonel Moutarde, a gaming room located on the Plateau-Mont-Royal. After acquiring his bases behind a St-Hub bar during his studies, he evolved between neighborhood bars, festivals and other major events. He now has almost carte blanche to craft Colonel Moutarde cocktails, where the cocktail menu puts Quebec spirits and local products on a pedestal.

The effervessence of local alcohols

Proud to be able to work with local products, he also notes, in recent years, the appearance of a community around local alcohol in Montreal: "It's always exciting to meet a producer and chat with him. what you think of his product and, above all, to let him discover what I was able to create with it!”

During these ten years of exploration, he saw a real revolution in the customer's vision of cocktails: "A few years ago, customers were above all interested in a certain exoticism and the rarity of the bottles that we found all over the world. But today, I often see the same surprise in their eyes when I explain to them that the gin in their glass is produced a few kilometers from their home! He himself feels less need to go elsewhere to get his supplies, given the appearance and growth of distilleries in Quebec.

Thus, local products intrigue, fascinate and arouse the interest of the public. But still, why this effervescence around these products? Jean-Philippe, like many, has a real crush on the brand image of Quebec companies. The container catches the eye and, above all, the content is original and tasty! “Also, the producers are proud of their products and come to meet us on a regular basis with their ideas and novelties,” which certainly feeds the imagination of the chefs!

Agreements according to Jean-Philippe

Jean-Philippe's vision is definitely inspiring and, to inspire you, here are some pairing ideas to incorporate local products into your festive cocktails.

• Vodka ( Cirka ), cranberry, maple ( Nos Cabanes ) and spruce ( La pincée -Boisée)
• Sea buckthorn (Les Charlatans) , honey ( Miel MTL ), rum and apple
• Hops ( Tchaga Kombucha or Boldwin ), BBQ ( Oomph Seasonings ) and Hot Sauce ( Sinai )

If you simply prefer to substitute a few ingredients for your favorite cocktails with products from here, here are some tips:

• Use sea buckthorn as an acidifier instead of citrus;
• Replace ice cubes with whole frozen cranberries in your punch bowl;
• Substitute sparkling cider ( Cidrerie du Minot ) for champagne in your alcoholic beverages;
• Replace commercial colas with a Cola made in Quebec ( BecCola or 1642 cola ) in your rum & coke;
• Use spice blends ( The Pinch or Oomph Seasonings ) to frost your glasses or cups.

For the more adventurous, the company Chez Figue even offers spice blends to flavor spirits directly at home. A great addition to your holiday cocktails!

In any case, do not hesitate to consult the websites of local producers, who offer you multiple cocktail recipes to showcase their products.

Health!

Reviewed by Louise

Cover: Cirka