Testify, my children!
Eager to worship at the altar of the weekend, but unable to tell your Chambord from your communion wine? Well, praise the Porcelain Gods and prepare yourself for a Revelation, because the Archangel, courtesy of Gastown’s Chill Winston, is about to provide you with a little taste of heaven.
The Archangel has a simple presentation: just an Old Fashioned glass, ice, booze and an orange zest speared to the bottom with a garnish pick - a look akin to such classic favourites as the almighty Negroni, and, of course, the ever-popular Old Fashioned. The first sip of this cocktail tastes melon-like, and potentially confusing start for the taste buds, but fear not, my flock! The aperitif effects of the Pineau des Charentes will stimulate your palate. The most prominent flavour in the blood and body of the Archangel is a bold shot of Chambord (anybody else wanting to banish the new bottle to hell?), a Cognac-based liqueur that tastes mainly of black raspberries (with a hint of hazelnut and vanilla). This is well complimented by the cognac and grape flavours in the fortified wine (fortified wine being wine that has had its alcohol content boosted by the addition of a spirit; originally used for preservation purposes, but since opening the door to drinks like sherry or port). A supporting role is played by the Tres Generaciones, a super premium tequila, (for those of you who have snubbed this spirit because of vomit-inducing horrors of Jose Cuervo… give it another chance). Tequila notes are evident in the background throughout the whole tasting, but predominantly on the ever-so-smooth finish. Finally, the orange zest wraps it all up with a bitter, almost lip-smacking tartness to cap off this sinfully decadent drink, Hallelujah! Using wine or champagne in a cocktail can be risky at times, but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t work miracles as part of the Archangel’s Holy Trinity, which nets this drink a serious amount of respect.
And the best part is, you don’t have to be remotely religious to enjoy this devilishly delicious concoction at any time on the brand-new sabbath: Friday.
‘Till next time, drink up Vancouver!
Cheers!
(Logo by Kar Sanders)