Ladies’ Afternoon Tea
Noir twist, eh? …ah, oui: Grey Goose Cherry Noir Pour Masters competition! The beloved liquor is introducing a sexy twist to amp up summer nights. What better way to say ‘bonjour’ to Canada than by having 12 mixologists duke it out ‘Cocktail’ style in YYC, T dot, MTL & Van-city– bring on the flare, les garçons.
I was escorted to a booth full of yyc twitterati: ladies who lunch, indeed. Even baller Misty Hamel was in le maison and may I say, that lady is one sweetheart – la ‘bomb’.
The Living Room hosted the afternoon fête, providing magic glasses that seemed to never run dry accompanied by a delightful array of canapés.
2 words. Marian. Beke.
Mixologist extraordinaire originally from France (ooh la la), is one of London’s best loved bartenders at Nightjar. He graciously shared some of his creations – magnifique. Gorgeous & délicieuse. And his threads were spot on: très bien, monsieur – give yyc hommes some leçons, svp.)
Après the mini ‘Marian Sir Mix-a-Lot’ section, the local ‘tenders got their game faces on. 5 minutes to make their original cocktail for Marian & Grey Goose Ambassador Ludovic Miazga.
The deets: Grey Goose Cherry Noir. 1 ingrédient local. 1 ingrédient français.
The inspiration and a story; AND, they are not allowed to taste it prior to judgement. PLUS, the competitor has to schmooze the judges akin to a customer.
Beaucoup de PRESSURE: winner of ALL Pour Masters competitions (Canada, USA & France) gets their specialty cocktail featured at the Grey Goose sponsored OSCARS party! QUOI?! Ummm my passport is up to date, gentlemen! 
Shots were poured, peels were shaped and biceps were flexed – merci to ‘Suspenders’.
Les garçons did Calgary proud. Les ingrédients locals ranged from evans cherry mead to organic avocado purée to specialty blended lager to Phil & Sebastian’s coffee to mon favorit: wild rose petal infused simple syrup – reminders de Paris.
Beaucoup of interesting creations. Standouts for taste: Cherrocado (“Hey, I just went to the gym, I can drink an avocado” Jody – Lounge Burger. Dee-lish alcoholized green tea latte), GGCTA (“To be a good bartender it’s all about the guest” Franz – Añejo. Savoury summer bevie that’s ‘lady friendly’.), Vanille Noire (Braedon ‘Suspenders’- Black Betty Burger & Winebar. He had moi when he used the word ‘remiss’. Plus, he could crack almonds with his pecs after pouring mon beverage, which was akin to caressing a lady’s hair while touching her lady parts: layered sexy – oui, svp.) & Par-asian (Jimmy – soon to open Cube Cocktail Lounge. He filtered the vodka through P & S Kenyan roasted café & served along side paté jelly infused with raspberry alcohol – INSANE & 2nd time WINNER of the yyc portion.) . Honorable mention for Mlle Fab’s Très Belle Bevie: South of France. (Nathan – Milk Tiger. Ex-wife is an antiquer and found the glasses. Truly a pretty drink to behold – the lemon rose: très charmante.)
All of the femmes present will agree that every libation possessed the cocktail trifecta: treat for the eye, tasty for the tongue and tantalizing for the date. IE #letmoiputmyboucheonyourbouche.
Canadian patios: prepare for a summer du sexe.
Grey Goose, you certainly know how to throw an afternoon tea party: merci beaucoup! Apologies for the underpinnings on the floor. I blame it on the Cherry Noir…
Bisous,
Mlle Fab Noir
