VanFoodies.com

Brice Peressini (Photo by Sebastian Chuffer)

Born in BC, Brice Peressini spent most of his life in Alberta. He came back a year ago to establish himself in beautiful Vancouver to pursue new challenges and seek new experiences. Bartending entered his life as a temporary situation, but he fell in love with the combination of social interaction and creative license. Brice is the ambassador for this year’s MADE WITH LOVE Competition and will work very soon for the new Parq Vancouver Casino. I had the opportunity to ask him about the bar scene in Vancouver.

What is the bar scene like in Vancouver?

We have some of the best and most innovative bartenders plying their trade right here in Vancouver and getting recognition internationally. We have fresh ingredients, innovative minds, sexy spaces, and fun environments. There is everything from craft beer brewpubs, to dark and sexy cocktail speakeasies. Truly something for everyone here.

What are some bars/lounges in Vancouver that you would suggest our readers to visit?

Depends on what they’re feeling in the mood for.

All three venues at Hotel Georgia are amazing: Reflections (where you can find one of our competitors, Daniel, tending) rooftop patio, Hawksworth fine dining, and Prohibition speakeasy. The Keefer Bar in Chinatown is amazing, and I love Amber Bruce’s creative and warm hospitality. Just down the street is Juniper, that is a gin-focused bar specializing in Pacific Northwest ingredients (David Bulters, another competitor can be found there.) For beers, I’d highly recommend finding 33 Acres and Parallel 49. And of course, if you want to find me behind the bar, I’ll be at the new $700 million Parq Casino behind their Lotus Whiskey Lounge bar.

Vancouver is a cocktail lover’s dream. Go out there and explore some of the amazing talent we have in this city!

What are some current trends in spirits and cocktails? Any prediction for 2018?

We’re seeing a huge move towards locally crafted small batch spirits, and this is true across segments. We’re also seeing higher environmental consciousness in cocktail creations. Both of these trends I see continuing well into 2018 and beyond.

Do you have a cocktail recipe that you can share with us?

One of my favorite classics is a Paper Plane. Equal parts Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Lemon Juice, Aperol, and Amaro, shaken and strained into a coupe.

If you’re looking for an easy to curate delicious fall cocktail, which you can forage one of the main ingredients here in Vancouver, I’d suggest a Blackberry Bourbon Sour. 1.5oz Woodford Reserve, 0.5oz Grand Marnier, 0.75 oz lemon, 0.5oz 1:1 simple syrup, 1 egg white, three ripe blackberries, shaken once without ice, and once with ice. Nice fall cocktail.

What should we expect from this year’s MADE WITH LOVE Competition in Vancouver?

The 2017 Vancouver competition should showcase some amazing innovation, a lively atmosphere, and some big personalities, all in one of Vancouver’s sexiest ballrooms, the Fairmont Vancouver. It’s going to be an awesome night of cocktails and appetizers, from some of Vancouver’s best venues. Surely not to be missed.

MADE WITH LOVE is happening on Monday, September 25, 2017. If you want to check out the competition, get your tickets here.

Disclosure: Sponsored content courtesy of MADE WITH LOVE Competition.