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Colourful, pretty cocktails — just the thing to greet spring! The Keg’s new line of over 12 crafted cocktails made the rounds last week at a media preview party up in their Yaletown patio lounge.

Guests were greeted with four from the assortment — Pineapple Splash, New York Sour, Drunken Cherry and Rosemary Gimlet.

[Fixing up some New York Sours]

The Keg team has created these beautiful sippers using mint, fresh rosemary, citrus and premium liquors from Lot No. 40 whisky to George Clooney’s Casamigos tequila.

When the sun’s out, this spot is a key venue for a tasteful night out, as the cocktails (plus beer on tap and an extensive wine list) wonderfully compliment the restaurant’s appetizers, signature steaks, ribs, seafood and salads.

Cocktails sampled and thirst quenched, we headed down to the second floor dining space where I started off with a fresh sesame-soy seasoned Ahi Tuna Tartare with avocado; a delicious, tender piece of pistachio-crusted salmon with bacon sautéed Brussels sprouts and garlic mashed potatoes followed this refreshing appetizer.

My husband dug into a shrimp cocktail in a zesty martini cocktail sauce and later a New York striploin with frites. All paired very well with a bottle of spicy, well-rounded Painted Rock Syrah.

Here’s the list of The Keg’s feature martinis and cocktails to both whet your whistle and celebrate the season. Raise a glass to spring!

[Blackcurrant Ginger, Rosemary Gimlet, Sparkling Peach]

Feature Martinis

Blackcurrant Ginger
Casamigos Blanco tequila, Cassis, fresh lemon and lime juice, ginger syrup finished with a float of ginger ale

Rosemary Gimlet
Hendrick’s gin, limoncello, lemon juice, fresh rosemary

Sparkling Peach
Absolut vodka, Peach Schnapps, peach and lemon juice with Freixenet

Greyhound Twist
Absolut vodka, Pama liqueur, grapefruit juice, agave syrup with fresh lemon and lime juice

[Pineapple Splash]

Feature Cocktails

Pineapple Splash
Absolut vodka, Aperol, fresh lemon and lime juice with muddled strawberries and soda

London Buck
Boodles gin, fresh lemon and lime juice, simple syrup, muddled mint and raspberries, finished with a float of ginger beer

New York Sour
Lot No. 40 whisky, fresh lemon and lime juice, simple syrup finished with a red wine float

Mango Mojito
Havana Club 3 Year Old rum, fresh lemon and lime juice, muddled sugar, mango and mint topped with soda

Strawberry Fizz
Absolut vodka, Aperol, fresh lemon and lime juice with muddled strawberries and soda

Drunken Cherry
Casamigos Blanco tequila, triple sec, house-made drunken Bing cherry juice, agave syrup and fresh lemon and lime juice

Red Sangria
Red wine, Havana Club 3 Year Old rum, Beefeater gin, cherry brandy, orange and pineapple juice. Mixed with a medley of fruit and house-made drunken Bing cherries

White Sangria
White wine, peach schnapps, Grand Marnier and peach juice mixed with mint, green apples and peach slices, topped with a Somersby Apple Cider float

Visit The Keg online for locations, menus and opening hours. Top photo: London Buck, Strawberry Fizz, New York Sour. Non-watermarked images courtesy of The Keg Restaurants.