Bombay Sapphire Mixology at Shangri-La

Last night I recruited Kristi from FraserValleyPulse.com to attend the Bombay Sapphire event on my behalf and she’s provided the following summary for Miss604.com…

FraserValleyPulse on Flickr

The Bombay Sapphire Mixology Event was held last night on the 58th floor of the incredible Shangri-La Vancouver.

This sky-high event featured Master Mixologist and Global Brand Ambassador for Bombay Sapphire Gin, Merlin Griffiths, and top Vancouver Chef, Murray Bancroft. Merlin educated the crowd on how to prepare five perfect Bombay Sapphire gin cocktails, while Murray prepared fresh, easy-to-make canapes to serve with these drinks. The night’s focus was entertaining essentials – learning how to create simple, impressive delights that would help you be the ultimate host.

Merlin expertly explained why Bombay Sapphire gin is the premier gin brand. Ten unique botanicals from different parts of the globe are gently infused into the gin vapours, rather than boiled with the gin as most other brands are. The botanicals used are an exclusive blend of such things as almonds from Spain, orris root from Italy, coriander seeds from Morocco, and seven more quality herbs & spices. It was interesting to hear the process of preparing the globe’s best gin. Merlin prepared delicious traditional Sapphire Collins, Sapphire Ginger Mints, Sapphire Ultimate Martinis (complete with plump, pitted olive), a Sapphire 75 blend of champagne & gin, and delicious Cosmopolitans! His enthusiasm for preparing a great cocktail was fabulous. He educated the crowd on the perfect tools to use, and even how much ice makes a perfectly chilled cocktail.

Murray Bancroft, Entertainment Guru, paired delicious, unique and super easy-to-prepare canapes to serve with the cocktails. For entertaining mixed groups of folks, Murray created a Parma Ham Crostini with Lemon, Parsley & Marcona Almonds as the perfect fit. If you’re trying to impress a date, pair Dungeness Crab with Lemon, Mint & Radish with a refreshing Sapphire Collins or a Sapphire Cosmopolitan.

Lastly was the ‘Serving the Boss’, a moment many of us would dread! This dish was my personal favourite. Murray suggested serving an Ultimate Sapphire Martini or a Sapphire 75 with Gorgonzola Dolce and fresh BC Honeycomb. It was absolutely delicious – a boss, or anyone, pleaser for sure. Murray emphasized the importance of fresh ingredients, and was using fresh herbs from his own garden. We chatted briefly after the demonstration, and Murray noted how simple it was to prepare tasty dishes with fresh ingredients and a little imagination.

Photo credit: FraserValleyPulse on Flickr

Overall, a wonderful, successful event. Delicious drinks, impressive fresh food creations and the most amazing view of Vancouver I’ve ever seen!

Bio: Kristi Ferguson is the Founder & Editor of FraserValleyPulse.com. Kristi’s solid background in multi-media & online communications, her experience as a successful entrepreneur, a proud Fraser Valley resident, and the go-to person for her clients, friends & family, fuse perfectly to create the top guide of the Fraser Valley, British Columbia. FraserValleyPulse.com is your up-to-date Fraser Valley lifestyle guide exclusively featuring entrepreneurs/local business owners and their exciting ventures in the fabulous Fraser Valley. Our online guide & blog highlights what’s new, what’s hot, what’s tried & true, and where to find the Fraser Valley’s hidden gems, from Surrey to Chilliwack, Langley to Pitt Meadows and beyond!