Are you as excited as I am for Vancouver Cocktail Week 2024? From March 3 to 10, we’re in for an absolute treat! This is the third year of what’s quickly become the most anticipated event in the cocktail world, right here in our beautiful city of Vancouver.

Guess who’s coming? Jesse Vida! Yes, the cocktail maestro from NYC’s The Dead Rabbit and Atlas in Singapore. Now rocking it at Singapore’s Cat Bite Club, Jesse is set to share his mastery of agave and rice-based spirits with us. But that’s just the beginning!

The lineup this year is phenomenal:

  • Bastien Ciocca and the team from Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou are going to unveil the secrets of Chinese spirits. If you’ve ever been curious about the intricacies of these exotic spirits, this is your chance.
  • Diego Cabrera, from the famous Salmon Guru in Madrid, will be there too. As a fan of exceptional hospitality, I can’t wait to learn from a master whose bar ranks at No. 16 on the World’s 50 Best list.
  • And for those of us who adore creative cocktails, Ronato Giovannoni from Florería Atlántico in Buenos Aires will be there. He’s a true legend in the cocktail world, and I’m looking forward to gaining some insights from his extensive experience.

These experts are not just visiting; they’ll be leading seminars and hosting guest shifts at hotspots like Laowai and Bagheera. It’s a rare chance to see them in action and maybe pick up a trick or two.

And there’s more! Ryan Chetiyawardana, the genius behind London’s Lyaness, will be showcasing his skills at Botanist. His bar is a beacon in the cocktail universe, and I’m thrilled to witness his creativity first-hand.

The Green Garden Gala on March 9 is already marked on my calendar. Imagine the Sutton Place Hotel ballroom turning into a botanical wonderland, with live music, a DJ, amazing food, and a stunning array of cocktails.

It feels good to know that attending these events also supports a great cause. A portion of the ticket sales goes to the BC Hospitality Foundation’s scholarship program, helping those in the hospitality industry.

If you’re as passionate about cocktails as I am, grab your tickets now at thealchemistmagazine.ca/vcw/. And don’t forget to pick up a copy of The Alchemist magazine for more insights into the vibrant world of craft cocktails.

Let’s raise our glasses to a week of extraordinary mixology experiences! 🍸🎉 #VancouverCocktailWeek #VCW24 #CocktailEnthusiast