Category Archives: Crazy & Classic Cocktails

Sip Trips #250: Disney Discoveries

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For this special 250th edition of Sip Trips, I’ll taking a look at the Sip Family’s expedition to the Disneyland Resort at the end of August. Here’s what we got up to over a fun, albeit expensive visit:

First of all, Mrs. Sip did a fantastic job researching our flight and hotel deals for this foray. Somehow, the more days she added to our trip, the cheaper our rate became. Therefore, we ended up spending eight nights at The Anaheim Hotel, which is among our favourite places to reside outside the resort.

Upon arriving and settling into our room, we were all in need of a bite to eat. So, we made the short journey to Tony Roma’s. There, I got my usual Chicken Tenderloin Platter, which comes with six delicious chicken tendies, accompanied by fries and coleslaw. My beverage of choice was the Offshoot Relax Hazy IPA. On our next trip, we will have to take advantage of the restaurant’s ‘kids eat for $2.99’ on Mondays deal.

Next up was procuring our supplies for the stay. I can’t believe how much better the pricing was for our items at Walgreens versus CVS. Among the provisions gathered over our vacation were the Truly Berry Mixed Pack (Blueberry, Wildberry, Cherry, Strawberry Lime) and Vizzy Vibrantly Tropic Mixed Pack (Pineapple Mango, Papaya Passionfruit, Strawberry Kiwi, Blueberry Pomegranate). I have to say I enjoyed the Truly case better than the Vizzy one. I was also able to finally try Dr. Pepper Blackberry, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I first saw the product on our Spring Break journey, but never got my hands on it.

On our first day in the parks, Mrs. Sip and I shared a selection of beers, including the Two Coast Hefeweizen, Unsung Carina Hazy Double IPA and Karl Strauss
Oktoberfest and Windandsea Wheat. The latter two were relished while splitting some excellent Quesabirria Tacos on the Sanfransokyo Wharf. In need of some dessert – as well as a treat for the Siplings – we grabbed a Choco Smash Bar from Pym’s Test Kitchen, while adding another brew, the Sierra Nevada Sunny Little Thing, to our tummies.

One of the reasons for the timing of this trip was to celebrate my and Mrs. Sip’s 13th wedding anniversary, with the day spent visiting some of the resort’s most decadent dining options. First, looking for a morning beverage, we got a walk-up spot at the Magic Key Terrace. There, Mrs. Sip ordered the Black Pearl (a Long Island Iced Tea spinoff, with Chambord added to the concoction and Sprite subbed in for Coke) off the park’s secret cocktail menu. I went with the Harland Hazy IPA, which was quite refreshing as the temperature began to rise.

Next up was lunch at the Blue Bayou. This visit evoked memories of the first time Mrs. Sip and I ate there in 2004, two years into our relationship. Back then, we were students on a budget and split an order of crab cakes as our meal. This time around, we feasted, Mrs. Sip enjoying a pair of glasses of wine, while I finally tried the Karl Strauss 70th Anniversary IPA. My meal was the delicious Monte Cristo Sandwich, among my favourite dishes at the resort, complete with truffle potato chips and a yummy roasted fruit salad. To complete the meal, we ordered the Doberge Cake (“layers of pumpkin spice sponge, chocolate whipped ganache and salted caramel buttercream”), which was scrumptious.

For dinner, we popped into the Lamplight Lounge, where Mrs. Sip got us a table so we could enjoy the early World of Color show. I enjoyed my Cobra Hiss cocktail (Mezcal, Cointreau, cucumber syrup, lemon juice, agave nectar), prior to joining Mrs. Sip on the bottle of Les Jamelles Chardonnay she ordered. Not super hungry after our earlier lunch banquet, we shared the Charbroiled Cheddar Burger, while the whole Sip Family got in on the Bananas Foster Donuts for dessert.

The next day, our drinks included the SLO Brew Cali-Squeeze (while munching on a family favourite Quantum Pretzel), as well as the Rincon Reservation Road Rez Dog Hefeweizen, Haunted Horchata Cocktail and 21st Amendment Citrus Wheat Ale. That night, we took advantage of Denny’s ‘kids eat free’ on Tuesdays deal, with the Sip Advisor having the Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich.

While we hadn’t planned to visit Oga’s Cantina, trading off Boy Sip for rides Girl Sip refuses to do saw us end up at the Star Wars-themed hotspot. Best of all, we were both able to simply walk up and be taken inside within minutes. We even ended up next to each other at the bar, despite entering at different times. Our server on this occasion, Anthony, was tremendous. Had it not been for a two-drink maximum and the price of those drinks, I could have stayed in the place for hours. Over our break, I had the Gamorrean Ale (Red Ale) and Coruscant Cooler (a delicious Manhattan variation), while sampling Mrs. Sip’s Bad Motivator IPA and Jet Fuel cocktail (Bourbon, Chile Liqueur, Pomegranate Liqueur, White Grape Juice, Lemon Juice). I really love the Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur in that drink and have to get my hands on a bottle sometime, despite it not being available in Canada.

The next day, we executed my Drink Around California Adventure itinerary. Given we had largely drank beers in the park up to that point, I decided we should share a cocktail as we traversed each land of the park. Here’s how we spent the day boozing it up:

  • Grizzly Peak – Green Apple Lemonade Cocktail (vodka, green apple lemonade, cherry-flavored popping spheres, raspberry sauce drizzle)
  • Hollywood Land – Celebration Cocktail (tequila, rum, vodka, glittery blue raspberry lemonade, Sprite)
  • Avengers Campus – Molecular Mule (Seaborn Cucumber Ginger Mule)
  • Cars Land – Strawberry Paloma (tequila, strawberry syrup)
  • Terraces – Craftwell Peach Mojito
  • Sanfransokyo Wharf – Jamaica Tequila Cocktail (tequila, hibiscus tea, lime juice, agave syrup)
  • Pixar Pier – Spiced Sangria Seltzer
  • Buena Vista Street – Scotch Mist

Our route was completed at the Carthay Lounge, where I had what was noted as Walt Disney’s favourite drink. Even if that claim is bullshit, I had to do it, enjoying my serving of Johnny Walker Black Label Scotch on the rocks. We also orders the Carthay Sopes with duck, which were very good. One other excellent meal we had during our drink challenge was the Sanfransokyo Clam Chowder, which Mrs. Sip insisted on and I’m so glad she did!

Following the indulgent drink circuit, the only drink left on the board I wanted to try was the Blood Orange Paloma Seltzer. I tried to make good on that the next day, but a long line and pre-order wait time blocked me from trying the beverage.

We tried to visit Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel, but there was a three-hour wait to get a seat on the air conditioned inside. As a result, we travelled back into the Downtown Disney district and got a table very quickly at Ballast Point. Mrs. Sip and I ordered the Pumpkin Cream Ale from Mother Earth Brew Co. and Prince of Bavaria Festbier from Black Plague Brewing, respectively. To eat, I tried the Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich, which I loved, thanks to all the flavours, particularly the interesting black truffle coleslaw.

Back in the park, we had servings of the Karl Strauss Aurora Hoppyalis for me and Enegren Oktoberfest for Mrs. Sip. These bevvies made the very long line for Grizzly River Rapids much more tolerable, while also numbing us to the deluge of water we were about to experience.

The Disneyland Halloween Treats menu was released right before we arrived. While I feel it’s way too early for that season, I was definitely going to take advantage of some of the eats and drinks. In particular, we worked our way through a number of the seasonal churros, including: Halloween Town Mayor (smores-like), Celestial Chocolate (Dubai chocolate), Straw-batty (strawberry filled chocolate) and Fluffernutter (marshmallow and peanut butter). The Fluffernutter was the best of the bunch for me, restoring my faith in churros, which I’d come to find to generally be mid at best. We had most of these treats for breakfast because… you know, parents of the year and all!

We also tried the Pumpkin Cookies with cream cheese icing, which were good, but not worth the hour-long lineup to get them, as well as the Monster Funnel Cake, which was another fantastic way to start a day!

For our final meal of the trip, we went to a local Red Lobster, where I had my typical Sesame Soy Salmon Bowl and Blue Moon Wheat Ale. This was sandwiched between letting the kids do some Magic Quest time at the nearby Great Wolf Lodge.

That wraps our Disneyland expedition. September will be full of activity, including all the birthdays our family has throughout the month, along with a getaway for Mrs. Sip and I to Las Vegas to celebrate a friend’s 40th!

Sip Trips #249: Wicked Weekends

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Well, August was pretty wild and flew by at break-neck speed. Was it fun? Sure. Was it a little overwhelming? Two things can be true at the same time. Here’s what the Sip Family got up to during most of the month, with our week in Disneyland at the end saved for another Sip Trips update:

With the Siplings still away with Ma and Pa Sip, Mrs. Sip and I took off to Peachland for the August long weekend. On our drive there, we stopped for dinner at Stallones Kitchen & Bar in Hope. I went full Stallone/Rambo, ordering the Stallones Burger and Mountainview First Blood Orange Wheat Ale. We had fantastic food and service at this restaurant, while the live music was very good. A great find by Mrs. Sip as we approached the town and were in need of sustenance.

Our time in Peachland was largely spent visiting a friend whose family has a beautiful place there. We did squeeze in a visit to the amazingly-themed Crown & Thieves Winery. Their tasting room is so cool it has to be experienced in person. Best of all, our $15 tasting fees were waived with a bottle purchase each, which wasn’t hard to do given the great wines available. We received excellent service from our scoundrel (aka server) and will definitely return, hoping to one day check out their onsite speakeasy basement bar.

The following weekend, reunited with the Siplings, we were off to Vancouver Island. Once arriving via ferry, we made our way to Rusted Rake Brewing in Nanoose Bay. This was another very cool setting, offering farm-to-table brews and food. To drink, I enjoyed a pint of The Wandering Scotsman’s Spruce Tip IPA. To eat, Mrs. Sip and I shared the Cornbread, Burnt Ends and Chicken & Pickles. We also tried tasters of their It’s Farming Saison and Willem Wets His Whistle Belgian Witbier.

The next day, we had lunch at Fern + Cedar Brewing in Qualicum Beach. Between games of cornhole with Boy Sip and Mrs. Sip, I managed to have the Green Mountain State NEIPA, along with a yummy Teriyaki Salmon dish.

Not content to leave the other brewery in the area off our visit list, we travelled over to Love Shack Libations, ordering two flights to cover their entire available lineup. My favourite drink here was the Juice Bigalow Hazy Mango Pineapple Ale.

Back on the mainland, our next weekend was spent staying at a friend’s place, as mutual friends from the U.K. visited. While out in the Langley area, we had a meal at The Barley Merchant. Over the course of the feast, I had servings of the North Point Strawberry Blonde Ale and Category 12 Fuzzy Peach IPA. My main dish of the Karai Ahi Noodle Salad was good, but I felt the meal didn’t know if it wanted to be a salad or a noodle bowl, incorporating ingredients of each. I guess it came as advertised as a “noodle salad”.

Later that weekend, we hit up Locality Brewing, letting all the kids run wild at the farm location. While there, I drank the Rhuberry Wheat Ale, Lean on Me DIPA and Black Tea Lager, all of which were tasty in their own way. Mrs. Sip and I split the Bison Poutine from Stampede Burger food truck and will have to go back sometime when they have their expanded catering menu, featuring Po’Boy sandwiches and other interesting items.

Our last outing while our friends were in town was to the PNE. I tried a California Sushi Taco from one of the many food trucks onsite, pairing the dish with a glass of Parallel 49 Trash Panda Hazy IPA, which made for a good combo.

That wraps most of August, a month where we didn’t spend a single weekend at home. The next Sip Trips, my 250th entry in the series, will be a special one as I dissect our week-long voyage to the Disneyland Resort!

Attractions I Wish Disneyland Had

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[Over 2025, the Sip Family will use their Magic Key year passes to attend the Disneyland Resort frequently. Therefore, a fair bit of my content will be Disney based this year, while also presenting a Disney-themed cocktail recipe.]

The grass is always greener on the other side, the saying goes. There are a number of Disney attractions from other parks that I wish could be enjoyed at Disneyland. Some I’ve previously ridden, while others I’ve only seen or heard about. Here are the attractions I’d love to see at Disney’s most western resort:

Expedition Everest

This rollercoaster is like the Matterhorn – perhaps my favourite Disneyland ride – on steroids. I like the backstory they came up with for this attraction, including the lore of the mythical yeti. Sadly, I’ve only been able to enjoy this ride once before, when Mrs. Sip and I finished our 2012 honeymoon at Disney World.

Drink Around the World

Speaking of that honeymoon, I’m not sure Mrs. Sip and I fully appreciated then the whole drinking around the world challenge that many guests attempt when visiting Epcot’s World Showcase. I mean, we did end up drinking around the world that day, but it was not our original intention. Thankfully, a trio of fellow travelers took us under their wing and showed us a whole new world! Working with what we got, Mrs. Sip and I plan to ‘Drink Around California Adventure’ on our next journey to the resort.

Tron Lightcycle Run

Boy Sip’s love of rollercoaster ride videos on YouTube has brought this attraction to my attention and it sure looks like a neat experience. You basially get to race along in one of the lightcycles from the Tron franchise. While I’m not into the Tron universe, I would still like to give this ride a go.

Crush’s Coaster

When Mrs. Sip and I rode this spinning coaster at Disneyland Paris in 2007, we thought it was an amazing thrill ride. Mrs. Sip and I even recently thought of exactly where they could place this ride at Disneyland. If the powers that be removed the Golden Zephyr, Jumpin’ Jellyfish and Silly Symphony Swings from California Adventure, they could plunk Crush’s Coaster right in the place of this trio of less popular attractions, making it an extension of the Pixar Pier land.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

When Mrs. Sip and I rode this at Tokyo DisneySea, we were quite impressed. The whole steam punk-themed land, Mysterious Island, provides quite the experience for the senses. Even though the resort is found in Japan, the land offered some really good Chinese food, which I indulged in each of the days we were in that park.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

I’ve heard good things about this Snow White-themed thrill ride found at Disney World and Shanghai Disneyland. So as not to spoil my first time riding it, I refuse to watch any videos of the attraction. What I have seen reminds me of Big Thunder Mountain to a degree and that has always been a favourite of the entire Sip Family.

Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror

We once had this treasure, but it was stripped away from us and replaced with Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! The Florida version is really cool, with a part that has your elevator moving through a hallway before dropping. Even our blessed California edition never had that element. I would trade out the Guardians ride all day, every day.

Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek

This attraction sounds like a lot of fun, as you traverse the streets of Monstropolis, searching for Boo. Using the flashlight device in your ride vehicle, you can activate various targets, similar to a moving shooting gallery. Given the current Monsters, Inc. ride at Disneyland is set for permanent closure in 2026, I’m guessing an update of that to the Ride & Go Seek version is not in the cards. Too bad we didn’t get that attraction from the beginning.

Sugar Rush

This attraction has yet to even debut, set to open in 2026 at Tokyo Disneyland, but I already want to petition for its addition to Disneyland. I’m a Wreck-It-Ralph fan and would love to see Sugar Rush, based on the candy-themed racing game the first movie features, up close. At Tokyo Disneyland, the ride will replace Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters and offer a similar laser gun adventure.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Another character I’m fond of is the little rat Remy . Perfectly set at Disneyland Paris (while also existing in the French Pavillion Epcot’s World Showcase at Disney World), guests can live the hectic experience of Remy and his friends as a special meal is prepared at the restaurant. The trackless dark ride offers unlimited paths, while also utilizing neat visual and scent effects.

World of Frozen/Frozen Ever After

While I feel the Frozen franchise is a little overrated, it would be cool to step into the fictional kingdom of Arendelle. This land can be found at two resorts, with a third being developed: Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea and Disneyland Paris. Within this land is the attraction Frozen Ever After, which uses stunning effects to recreate the Frozen story.

City of Zootopia/Zootopia: Hot Pursuit

There is so much content that could still be created from the world of Zootopia (known as Zootropolis/Zoomania is other markets), thanks to all the districts that exist in the fictional world. I really enjoyed the first movie and am looking forward to seeing the second installment of the franchise later this year. City of Zootopia, found at Shanghai Disneyland, contains Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, which highlights the events of that first film.

Villains Land

Sometimes, it’s fun to be a bad guy… or support the bad guys, in this case. Apparently, Disney World is getting a Villains Land and that has made Mrs. Sip and I totes jelly. There is so much potential for a land of this ilk and I wish Disneyland was getting the same. Instead, our favourite resort is getting the Avatar-themed land, which just doesn’t resonate with me.

Attractions I Wish Disneyland Had: Wishmaker

  • 1 oz Tequila
  • 1 oz Blue Curacao
  • 1 oz Peach Schnapps
  • Top with Lemonade
  • 1 oz Grenadine
  • Garnish with Maraschino Cherries

Given Boy Sip’s previously mentioned love of theme parks and rides, I’m sure we’ll be seeing many of these attractions in the future. He has already vowed to visit every (Disney) theme park he can, so even if these attractions don’t make their way to California, I do hope to experience them.

Sip Trips #248: Festivals and Frivolities

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Summer has gotten off to a good start. The Sip Advisor survived a couple single-parent stints, with the reward being a magical 12 days kid-free. Let’s see what the family got up to over the previous month:

As the calendar turned to July, we took the Siplings out for a night of trivia at Frankie G’s Pub. I was craving a sandwich and the pub delivered with their Turkey Clubhouse, which I paired with two Parallel 49 Trash Panda Hazy IPAs. As for the trivia, hosted by IQ2000, we did okay, but struggled with the music round, confirming once again that pub trivia should not include music rounds. I should also note that the manager of Frankie G’s was very attentive to all the guests.

One of Mrs. Sip’s work trips took her to the Kootenay region of B.C. While there, she visited Fernie Distillers, rounding up a trio of bottles to bring back home. Those libations included the Cinder Liqueur, Fernie Fog and Indigo Inversion Gin. Sometimes it pays to have Mrs. Sip on the road.

To celebrate a friend’s birthday in the middle of the month, we had dinner at The Keg. Given they were offering their Lobster Summer menu, I had to try the Lobster Roll, which was pretty good. My drinks over the course of the evening included an Old Fashioned, Gin Basil Lemonade and a pair of Yellow Dog High 5 Hazy IPA.

The following week, we celebrated the end of Boy Sip’s preschool days with dinner and a movie. Our meal took place at Boston Pizza, where Mrs. Sip and I both took advantage of the Everyday Favourites menu, each selecting a Rickards Red Boston Pint, which are $2 off. To eat, I enjoyed the Maple Bacon Burger, which is highlighted by a tasty maple barbecue sauce.

The next day, the kids were on the road with Ma and Pa Sip. A couple days prior, I had won tickets to the Punchbowl Festival on the PNE Fairgrounds, so the timing seemed perfect. Given our entry was free, saving us anywhere from $30-$50 each, you felt a little better about the money you now had to spend on tokens. We bought $50 worth of tokens to split, with ready-to-drink beverage samples costing two tokens each, while cocktail and liquor samples cost three to four tokens on average. We had a good variety of vodka sodas, tequila-based drinks, soju offerings, hard iced teas, and other options. I was also able to finally try the Redhead Macadamia Nut Rum that had been on my “to drink” list for some time, although tracking down a full bottle remains a challenge. We also tried the wares from two different taco trucks while at the event, with our favourite being the Golden Taco (Quesabirria) menu item from Taqueria Jalisco. All in all, we had a good time at Punchbowl, but without free tickets, I’m not sure I’d go again.

That evening, some friends joined us for pizza and board games at Pizzeria Ludica. Mrs. Sip and I split the Pineapple Pulled Pork Pizza and Two-Cheese Garlic Breadsticks, both of which were yummy. Our table split a pair of pitchers in the Fuggles & Warlock Last Mango and Steel & Oak Shiny Things Hazy IPA.

A few nights later, Mrs. Sip and I attended Kelly O’Bryan’s for Vancouver Trivia Party’s quiz night. We didn’t fare as well at this trivia as our Frankie G’s outing. For whatever reason, both of us were a little off for this challenge. To eat during the contest, I had the Tuna Poke Bowl and a couple Steel & Oak Red Pilsners.

We put a bow on the month by enjoying a night at The Outdoor Experience for one of their Sip ‘n Dip nights. Entry was $25 with two drink tickets each. We ended up adding two more drink tickets each, for an average of one drink per half hour over the two-hour event. As for what I drank, I had three Dead Frog Canada Proud Lagers, along with a Peach Lemonade Sour from the company. I went with beers over the various vodka and gin sodas, as the beers were larger servings at 473ml versus your standard 355ml cans for the ready-to-drink cocktails. We had a very fun time at the pool, with my only complaint being how most folks hoarded the floats, carrying them around to other parts of the park, instead of letting others use them.

Not content to end our night after the swimming, we travelled to the Fox & Hounds Pub and Restaurant. There, I took advantage of the half price Chicken Wings deal, opting for the Hotiyaki flavour, which they call Fire & Ice. We also split a pitcher for the table and even added a Lemon Drop shot for good measure.

August is already quite packed with various events, including excursions to Peachland and Qualicum Beach, as well as our summer voyage to the Disneyland Resort, where we got a sweet deal of eight nights for less than it would have cost to do six!

Bottle of the Month #7: Revel Stoke Roasted Pecan Whiskey

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I originally picked up this bottle for a lineup of fall cocktails I was planning, using it in a recipe I called The Harvest, also featuring cranberry juice. The product has since been renamed Shellshocked, as the company’s entire lineup has gone through a rebrand.

The liquor is made with Canadian whiskey and while I’m not a big fan of pecans, I’ll happily take them in liquid form. The bottle comes in at 35% ABV and has a sweet finish to each sip.

Some other releases from Revel Stoke that sound interesting include S’moregasm Toasted S’mores Whiskey and Buttersquatch Butterscotch Whiskey. As the distillery says, “Chaos Comes in Many Flavours.”

The company has also come up with some great recipe names for each whiskey. The cocktails are simple too, with only two to three ingredients necessary per libation.

Bottle of the Month: Mile-Pie Club

  • 1.5 oz Revelstoke Roasted Pecan Whiskey
  • Top with Cream Soda
  • Garnish with a Lime Wedge

Another recipe for the Roasted Pecan Whiskey that I’d like to try is the Nutty AF, combining the Pecan Whiskey with Peanut Butter Whiskey.

Cocktail Corner – The Last Sip

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Looking at the last meals of death row prisoners can be a fascinating exercise. With that in mind, I thought I’d put together my own final feast. I didn’t want to make it an open-ended buffet, so I limited how many items I could pick in each category. After many hours of agonizing over the options, here’s what the Sip Advisor would prefer to be munching if my ultimate indulgence was due:

Mains (3):

I decided to break this down into three categories, each one satisfying an entrée I particularly enjoy. First, in the Asian food phylum, I went with a poke bowl over items such as chow mein or fried rice with any number of proteins. I find the ingredients of a Poke Bowl to be so fresh and satisfying. Like I’m eating well for a rare occasion. Speaking of proteins, it’s a tough decision to select what would be the feature of my bowl, but I think I’d have to go with salmon over tuna. Second, I needed to have some sort of sandwich, opting for a club sandwich (fried chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato), complete with pickles. The sandwich narrowly beat out selecting a burger. Third, a true top dish needed to be picked and I went with lobster tails. I’m not sure there’s a more decadent dish on earth than buttered lobby!

Sides (4):

This was the most difficult category to figure out. Some of the indecision came from figuring out what exactly qualified as a “side”, as well as enjoying many accompaniment dishes. My criteria for being a side was whether the dish generally appears on the starter or appetizer section of menus. I also used this category to make amends for some of the items that got squeezed out of the mains group. Curly fries poutine and Caesar salad were no brainers, followed by sliders to make up for my neglect of burgers above. The final addition I’d make is gyoza, which have become a favourite appy dish of mine in recent years. Missing the cut was chicken strips, as despite being an all-time favourite starter of mine, I’d get the crispy chicken portion settled in my club sandwich.

Snacks (2):

Truth be told, I created this category so I could slip a couple more side dishes into the meal! My 40th birthday party was potato chip themed, so you better believe they would play some role in my last meal. If I had to narrow down which flavours I could have, that would be a tough choice, but I’d be happy with a mix including Pink Himalayan Salt, All Dressed, Sour Cream & Onion and Barbecue being among the chosen options. One final note on the chips, they must all be ripple/ridge/wavy or I would send them back! I’d also like to have a bowl of Trail Mix on hand, comprised of Smarties/M&Ms, peanuts and cashews. I guess you can throw some raisins in the mix, but not nearly as much as companies overfill their bags with.

Desserts (3):

The Sip Advisor loves completing any meal with something sweet. My first choice would be some Chocolate Chip Cookies, preferably made by Ma Sip, who has been providing me with amazing baked goods since I was a wee little sipper. Next up would be something I’ve only been introduced to in recent years, Chocolate Babka. Lastly, I’d want some sort of chocolate bar, but narrowing which one down is incredibly difficult. Among my all-time favourites are Snickers, Twix, Wunderbar, Peanut Butter Oh Henry, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Let’s take all those preferred choices and melt them into one super bar! A couple European faves, Black Forest Cake and Raspberry Danish, fall just outside being selected.



Beverages (2):

This was perhaps the easiest category, as I don’t regularly drink a large variety of things. Therefore, my first pick would be my favourite simple cocktail, the one I’m synonymous with and drink regularly with friends/family, Spiced Rum and Dr. Pepper (aka The Sip). My second choice would be an easy drinking Amber Ale, which pairs perfectly with a number of the food items I’ve curated. Narrowly missing the cut is plain ol’ water, which as much as I love, isn’t what I’d want to go out sipping.

Sauce/Dips (Unlimited):

I’m a big sauce/dip guy and I feel like this is the one category where infinite selections is okay. A few I’d definitely want on my palette include Ranch, Honey Mustard, Hotiyaki (mix of hot sauce and teriyaki), Sesame-Soy, Truffle Aioli, and Honey Garlic.

Cocktail Corner: The Last Sip

  • 1.5 oz Spiced Rum
  • 1 oz Root Beer Schnapps
  • Top with Lemon-Lime Soda
  • Splash of Honey-Yuzu Lemonade
  • Garnish with a Lime Wedge

Where the hell I would put all this food, given I typically eat half of my meals and save the other half for the following day, is anyone’s guess. My stomach would just have to find the space. The interesting thing about this Sip Advisor original recipe is that the inclusion of Root Beer Schnapps is an homage to the first soda I ever enjoyed. The rest of the ingredients are adult favourites of mine, making for an all-encompassing Sip Advisor experience!

Cocktail Corner – Porch Swing

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Given we’re mired in summer heat, folks are looking to cool down in any way possible. One solution is to eat things that are lower in temperature. With that in mind, here are the best things to eat cold, that normally aren’t consumed that way:

Pizza

I’ve come to prefer my pizza cold, only heating up a slice if I feel like firing up the air fryer. Regardless of toppings, pizza is very good fresh out of the fridge 24/7, 365. I’ve even converted Girl Sip into similar thinking, like some awe-inspiring cult leader.

Chocolate

Throughout the year, I’ve begun tossing chocolate bars into the fridge, conducting research to find the perfect cold chocolate treat. I’ve found you can’t go wrong with items involving peanut butter, such as Peanut Butter Oh Henry or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, while some bars containing caramel should be eaten with caution, as the hard caramel may be difficult to chew through.

Asian Noodles

Whether it be chow mein, lo mein, yakisoba, etc., I have no problem pulling some leftovers out of the fridge and going straight into consumption mode, skipping any reheating rituals. The one thing I may do is splash some soy sauce on the dish and then get to munching.

Sushi

In a similar vein to noodles, I don’t mind sushi straight out of the fridge. I hear you complaining “But Almighty Sip, sushi is meant to be cold”, but I argue that the rice is typically warm, while the other items within the roll or topping the rice are also heated. Either way, sushi is ready-to-eat in any fashion.

Pie

While I don’t dabble in pie as often as I probably should, when we do have some, I have no problem going to town on cold leftovers. Any of the fruit-based pies (cherry, strawberry-rhubarb, apple) are particularly good unheated, with the crust still holding up.

Chicken

This category includes items such as Chicken McNuggets/McChicken sandwiches, popcorn chicken and boneless wings. Especially while travelling, the Sip Advisor has been known to stock up at the nearest Mickie D’s, then enjoy sandwiches or nuggets throughout the rest of the vacation as quick breakfasts or midday snacks. No microwave in the room, no problem. Just eat it fridge-to-table.

Tea

While the Sip Advisor loathes drinking hot beverages, often criticizing Mrs. Sip for doing so, I do have a soft spot in my blackened heart for iced tea, stemming from enjoying the drink as a wee little sipper. Now that there’s multiple companies that have produced a hard iced tea product, I can relive my fond childhood memories, while also working towards not remembering anything at all!

Cocktail Corner: Porch Swing

  • 1.5 oz Bourbon
  • Top with Peach Tea
  • Splash of Lemon Juice
  • Dash of Honey
  • Garnish with a Peach Slice

Given the nature of this article, I had to make a drink featuring iced tea and I altered this recipe slightly to do so. What items do you prefer to eat cold on a hot summer day or whenever you feel like it?

Sip Trips #247: Limited Edition Love

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With Mrs. Sip away for a chunk of the month, I didn’t get up to a whole lot in her absence. That said, June still had a lot going on, as we wound down the school year and entered the summer season. Here’s what we got up to:

To begin the month, the Sip Family found themselves at Ma and Pa Sip’s new home in Tobiano for a visit. As Mrs. Sip wrapped day one of her trial, we convened at Bright Eye Brewing for happy hour. While the adults took advantage of food and drink deals, the Siplings enjoyed the breweries arcade games, which are free to play on Mondays. My meal consisted of the Secrets Krush Hazy IPA and Throwback Burger, while I also couldn’t help steal a number of Mrs. Sip’s Crispy Brussels Sprouts. Bright Eye has quickly become a favourite stop for all of us.

On our return journey home, we dropped into the Mr. Mikes Steakhouse in Chilliwack for dinner. I hadn’t been to a Mr. Mikes in some time and found many contenders to choose from amongst their menu. On this occasion, I went with the Chinatown Stir Fry, along with an Antler Ale. Once again, I could keep my fork to myself and picked away at Mrs. Sip’s Crackling Sirloin Bites.

To celebrate Father’s Day with Pa Sip, I treated him to a Vancouver Canadians baseball game. During the afternoon match, I had a hotdog, PBR Strong Iced Tea and Phillips Blue Buck Ale. In future, I’ll have to try the ballpark’s yard-long hotdog, which can be split up into as many servings as requested. Following the game, Pa Sip wanted to try the nearby Chaise on Main, where I drank a pint of Steamworks Flagship IPA.

The following week, with Ma and Pa Sip kindly taking the Siplings off my hands for the weekend, a buddy and me met for dinner at Kelly O’Bryans. This has become my go-to place in New Westminster and this visit did not disappoint. I really enjoyed my Tuna Poke Bowl, consumed with a trio of Molson Canadians.

Mrs. Sip’s return home from her tour of Turkey brought a number of new additions to the liquor collection. Joining the family were bottles of Jagermeister Orange, Mermaid Spiced Rum and Twin Fin Coconut & Lychee Rum.

To celebrate Girl Sip’s last day of school, we went for dinner at Boston Pizza. I tried the Cherry Cola Beef Sliders off their summer menu and really enjoyed them. To drink, I had a pair of Blue Moons, completing the yummy meal.

Lastly, I finished the month with some more limited edition items in the Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza (complete with pickles) from Pizza Hut, as well as the Teriyaki Chicken Burger off the International Heist menu from McDonald’s. Both were excellent and I will be sad to see each disappear. Mrs. Sip added the McPizza Bites and Biscoff McFlurry to our feast, so we’ve worked our way through a good chunk of the International Heist options.

That wraps an eventful June. July promises to be busy, as we delve into as much fun as possible during the warmer months. Mrs. Sip and I also have a couple weeks of kid-free on the horizon, so that should provide ample opportunity to get out and about!

Bottle of the Month #6: Tumbleweed Raspberry Moonshine

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[The Sip Advisor has been growing his liquor collection for a decade plus. It is something I’m very proud of, my children before kids and my legacy to leave to this world. I’d like to share what I’ve curated with all you little sippers via this project.]

On a family trip to Osoyoos, BC, a couple years back, Mrs. Sip and I, along with Cousin Sip and her husband, got a brief spell of no-kid time, so we rushed out to hit a couple locations in the area adjacent to our hotel. One of those stops was Tumbleweed Spirits, where I picked up their Raspberry Moonshine.

The product is made with BC raspberries and won gold and bronze medals at the 2023 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition in the Distilled Audience Favourites category. I’ve personally enjoyed using the libation in various cocktails and shots.

On our recent return to Osoyoos, Tumbleweed Spirits had a tent at the farmer’s market we checked out. I learned that they’ve dropped the moonshine title from their creations, going with the vodka classification, so customers better identify with the releases, as well as helping to get onto liquor store shelves.

Tumbleweed has an extensive line of products. Other releseas offered by the distillery include Haskap and Fireweed, along with a line of whiskeys. They also have a line of ready-to-drink bottles, such as Haskap Margarita, Old Fashioned and today’s feature cocktail.

Bottle of the Month: Raspberry Lemonade

  • 1.5 oz Raspberry Moonshine
  • Top with Lemonade
  • Garnish with a Lime Wheel and Maraschino Cherry

I plucked this recipe from the distillery’s website. It’s basic, but good. Probably why they serve it at their location and have also bottled it for quick service.

If I Had $500

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For Mother’s Day, Mrs. Sip treated herself to a luxury item. I joked that maybe I should get to do the same for Father’s Day. While I won’t, I thought it would be a fun exercise to come up with some ideas if I did. So, in the vein of ‘If I Had a Million Dollars’ by the Barenaked Ladies, here’s the Sip Advisor’s ‘If I Had $500’:

Get Something for the Sipplings

Mrs. Sip and I are always looking to give the kids the best childhood possible. Therefore, an item like the new Nintendo Switch 2 does pique my curiosity. That said, this list is about treating myself and not others. Sure, I would likely play various games with the Sipplings, but I doubt I’d be able to dedicate much time to any video game system to justify buying one primarily for myself.

Do Something Practical

Our vehicle needs new tires, we are still making some upgrades and settling into our new place, investing/saving is always a good idea, etc. None of these are very much fun and I’m disappointed in myself that I even brought them up.

Cocktail Maker/Soda Machine

While one of these machines would be neat to have, I actually prefer building a cocktail from scratch myself and I’m not sure how much use I’d get out of a soda system.

Beer Fridge

Among the items on my long list of future acquisitions for our home is a second, smaller fridge, set up either outside or in our rec room, saving us time from having to go inside/upstairs to get beverages and snacks. Right now, though, a second fridge is lower on the totem pole than other necessities, so there it shall remain.

Air Hockey/Pinball Machine/Arcade Unit/Pool Table

I like these ideas, but space is limited in our place, at least until the kids grow up and share a similar interest in such items. One day, we will have a movie/games room, but today is not that day. Also, it would be hard to settle on just one of these games and an entire games collection would likely be necessary.

Driving Lessons for Mrs. Sip

Do you know what Mrs. Sip and I fight about more than any other element of our relationship? That’s right, her lack of driving ability. I’m basically Morgan Freeman in Driving Miss Sip – minus any racism. It is my dream to one day attend a friend’s party and be the one who doesn’t have to limit myself to one or two beverages. It is my dream to one day not have to pack up the whole household to run errands Mrs. Sip needs done. It is my dream… I think you get the point.

Sauce Shopping Spree

In the Barenaked Ladies song I referenced above, they joke about getting fancy sauces for all the Kraft Dinner (macaroni and cheese) the band would buy. Whenever I go down a condiments aisle at grocery stores, I marvel at all the different options. Some can be a little pricey, so picking a few options – or at least what I can fit in our fridge – is actually a legit contender for how I’d spend my money.

Fancy Potato Chips

Similarly, I could see myself wasting a small fortune on obscure potato chips. We’re talking unique flavours from around the world, as well as expensive releases found domestically. Then I’d throw them all into a small pool and pull off a sweet Scrooge McDuckian dive into the snacks below.

Expensive Cocktails

An epic night could be spent trying some of the best mixology I can access. I already have a few locations in mind, should I do such a crafty crawl. Let’s put this idea in the maybe pile.

Exercise Equipment

Lol, nope!

A Pet

Part of my reasoning to get a pet would be to prank Mrs. Sip. That said, there’s only one pet I would ever consider bringing into our home and that’s a honey badger. Seriously, it would be a cat and given I’d probably end up doing most of the work, a pet doesn’t seem like much of a treat at all.

A Kayak

The one weekend I went kayaking, I really enjoyed it. More than a decade later, I have yet to sit my ass down in one of those weird looking watercrafts again. Let’s be honest, the device would simply be a garage filler and rarely used, so why bother.

Second Air Fryer

My theory is one air fryer is a godsend, so two air fryers would be… two godsends!? Sometimes, particularly when guests are over, I curse the fact I only have one of these amazing machines. Given they can be found for reasonable prices, I could have a whole army of air fryers at my disposal!

Clothing Essentials

The Sip Advisor hates shopping, so I often put off buying even the most basic of clothing items. Sure, I have a list of items I need/desire, but that doesn’t mean I’m actually going to go out and achieve said shopping.

Meal Kit Subscription

We’ve all seen the memes about not realizing adulthood meant figuring out what to eat for the rest of your life. I’m chief cook at the Sip Advisor headquarters and it can be exhausting planning and preparing dinner in perpetuity. A meal kit helps, but you still have to pick your dishes and then make them.

Tickets to an Event

Despite the logistical headaches (travel, finding babysitters, etc.) that going to events nowadays holds, I still enjoy the occasional night out. Sporting events, concerts, evening on the town all sound like a great way to blow this windfall, but it would have to be just the right event to do so.

Tattoo

The Sip Advisor has long had a tattoo in mind, but I’ve just never got around to actually getting the ink done. Cost is definitely a bit of a deterrent for me, but now I have five hundy in hand!

Charity

The only charitable organization I’m willing to donate to is the Church of Sip. Then I’ll embezzle those funds for my own enjoyment!

The Maestro

  • 1.5 oz Patron Tequila
  • 1 oz Lillet Blanc
  • Dash of Angostura Bitters
  • Garnish with Edible Glitter

The most expensive cocktail in the world today is The Maestro, created by iconic mixologist Salvatore Calabrese at the Dubai cocktail bar Nahaté. Using rare bottles and even rarer glassware, the drink comes in at whopping $41,160 US. My version uses similar, but more common ingredients, so I’d probably sell it for 0.0001% of the price.

So, what should the Sip Advisor spend his theoretical fun money on? In all likelihood, I’ll probably just treat myself to some bottles of booze that fall well below what Mrs. Sip spent. Happy Father’s Day, y’all!