Cocktail culture inside Smith. The English (left) and the New lyFashioned (bottom right) (Photos by Robin Summerfield.)
Quench: Crafty Cocktails at Smith
Smith
Inn at the Forks
75 Forks Market Road
Neighbourhood: The Forks/Downtown
204-944-2445
Website: smithrestaurant.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/InnatTheForks
Twitter: twitter.com/smithwinnipeg
Winnipeg's craft cocktail culture got a recent boost with the opening of Smith, the new house restaurant at Inn at the Forks.
House-made bitters and syrups are just for starters. Smith's cocktail menu features both thirst quenchers that are Smith-Crafted (modern cocktails) and Classic-Crafted (classic cocktails).
The English called my name on a recent visit to the new restaurant at Inn at The Forks. This 12-oz sipper includes gin, St. Germain elderflower liquor, freshly squeezed lime juice, vanilla simple syrup, and muddled cucumber and basil. This fragrant and springy special is topped with soda water. It was smooth and sweet with a tarty tang. And it went down nice and easy. Too nice and easy. This is the kind of cocktail that one can finish quite quickly without much thought. Be warned.
We also indulged in a Newly Fashioned, Smith's take on the Old Fashioned. This intense and divine cocktail is made with rosemary-infused bourbon and raisin bitters poured over one large ice cube and finished with red grapefruit zests.
An Apple Julep finished our sample sipping. House-made cinnamon and apple-infused bourbon, a dash of sweet and sour mix and topped with club soda, mint leaves and thinly sliced red delicious apple. It was summer in a Collins glass.
There wasn't a dud among our thirst quenchers. It's clear much thought, care, creativity and taste testing went into crafting Smith's cocktail list. The entire cocktail menu has 16 drinks. Click here for a link to the cocktail menu.
The new lounge—rustic cabin meets nature chic—is also worth a look see. Hudson's Bay blanket banquettes and faux antler chandeliers scream Canadiana charm.
And if you need any food advice, check out PCG's recent review of Smith here.
CONTEST: Smith Restaurant and Peg City Grub present 'A night at Smith.'
Answer the following question for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate for Smith: What is the name of the new restaurant inside the Canadian Museum for Human Rights?
To enter, Like PCG's Facebook page here and post your answer on the page. A winner will be chosen randomly on Thursday October 9. Good luck!!
House-made bitters and simple syrups at the ready inside the lounge at Smith.
Bottom's up. The Apple Julep.
Crafting concoctions behind the bar at Smith.
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