Salt Spring Island Glowtini

As mentioned in this morning’s contest post, I spent the better part of the day on Salt Spring Island judging the “Glowtini” competition.

Heading over to the island with Saltspring Air

There were six participants from around the island who all prepared special holiday cocktails — the winning drink to be featured at restaurants and pubs around Salt Spring this season. They were Tom Messer from the Salt Spring Inn, Greg VanRiel from The Oystercatcher Seafood Bar and Grill, Miles Roberts from Auntie Pestos Cafe, John King from Harbour House Hotel Restaurant and Organic Farm, Jesse Anderson from Moby’s Oyster Bar + Marine Grill, and Candace Cole from Rock Salt Restaurant.

It was a very tough competition to judge as all of the contestants provided something unique. There were espresso pearls, chocolate shavings, frozen grapes and raspberries, sugar diamonds, candy cane rim sugar, and a white chocolate garnish shaped like a Christmas tree.

In the end, the Laughing Apple Martini prepared by Tom Messer from the Salt Spring Inn was crowned as the official Glowtini of Christmas at Salt Spring Island.

The new Glowtini

While the other cocktails were sweet and chocolatey (which I thoroughly enjoyed) I think that the new Glowtini really showcased the “best of the island” while maintaining a festive flavour thanks to the cider. Here’s how you can make your own Glowtini, if you can find some of these unique-to-Salt Spring ingredients where you are.

• 4 splashes of Salt Spring Laughing Apple (mulled with cinnamon and cloves)
• 3/4oz Vanilla vodka
• 3/4oz Sour Puss apple
• 1/2oz Salt Spring blackberry port
• Garnished with an orange curl and blackberries

In just a few hours I met friendly folk from the Chamber of Commerce, local press, business owners, and some very creative mixologists. Even Raffi stopped by to say hello before the competition began. I then flew home with Harold from Saltspring Air — who let me ride co-pilot as the clouds broke apart and the sun beamed down on the Salish Sea.

The return flight

The people of Salt Spring would like everyone to know that it’s a great place to visit throughout the year (not just in the summer) and they’re open for business this holiday season. You can enter to win your own Salt Spring Island getaway that includes a two-night stay, lunch, dinner, and more. Proceeds from the sale of the Glowtini will support Salt Spring’s Copper Kettle Community Partnership.