In recent years, Saskatoon’s cocktail culture has expanded alongside the city’s local cuisine sector. The YXE cocktail culture is very much alive and well, from eateries with fully designed beverage programmes to those that highlight Saskatchewan-made spirits on their menu. I’ll definitely raise a glass to that.
Picaro Cocktails & Tacos
Like their name implies, Picaro’s cosy atmosphere is perfect for spending the evening sipping drinks and eating food with a Latin influence. Try one of their hand-crafted margaritas, like the Betty White (shown), to satisfy your tequila craving. The Royal Blush, made with imperial gin, lillet, lemon juice, and lavender simple syrup, is my personal fave Picaro drink.
Parlor
With good cause, parlour has swiftly become a popular cocktail in Saskatoon. This speakeasy, which is hidden on the second story of the St. Tropez Bistro building on 2nd Avenue, has a sizable and carefully crafted drink menu. Additionally, if you believe Sunday nights aren’t appropriate for drinking, think again because Parlour hosts a 24-hour happy hour on Sundays.
Hearth
Kelly Klebaum, Hearth’s general manager and bar manager, deserves praise for the establishment’s cocktail menu. Sea buckthorn, rhubarb, Stumbletown Distilling, and Black Fox Farm & Distillery are just a few of the Saskatchewan products and distillers featured in her wonderfully delectable cocktail menu.
Thirteen Pies
Thirteen Pies is going to become your new favourite restaurant if you think pizza and potent drinks go along perfectly. Many of the ingredients on manager and mixologist Jake Grasby’s beverage menu are manufactured in-house, including house-made ginger beer and syrups with distinctive flavours including honeydew matcha, raspberry sage, and salted guava.
Odd Couple
Saskatoon locals love Odd Couple for their delectable meals, but they should also mention their cocktails. Try the Black Fox Farm & Distillery gin-based Thai Basil Gin Sour (shown) or the Ginger Ninja (my personal favourite! ), which combines bourbon with fresh ginger and lemon.
Ayden Kitchen & Bar
Ayden Kitchen & Bar, a member of Grassroots Restaurant Group, was founded by Dale MacKay, a Top Chef Canada winner, and renowned mixologist Christopher Cho. There is always something new to sample at Ayden because the drink specials change frequently. Many of their house-made syrups, cordials, and shrubs also contain regional ingredients.
Odla
The cocktail menu at Odla is the ideal complement to their dedication to presenting seasonal Saskatchewan products. Their distinctive drinks include the Celery Sipper, which combines Tio Pepe Fino, Aquavit with mustard infusion, celery juice, and lemon, and their version of the Espresso Martini, which incorporates walnut syrup.
Bon Temps Cafe
The Mint Julep and Bourbon Milk Punch (bourbon, vanilla, and Angostura, coupled with cream and sugar) are two New Orleans favourites on the cocktail menu at Bon Temps. The Bourbon and Blackberry Lemonade and the Southern Fashion are two of their house cocktails that are part of a Southern-themed menu.
