Right in the heart of soon-to-be TIFF central sits The Cocktail Parlor. A swishy new addition to the libations scene, this upscale watering hole is fit with an awe-inspiring bar and a novella of a cocktail menu. Denizens are bound to receive an impromptu history lesson from head mixologist Wes Galloway, who possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of all things booze-related.
Galloway’s signature cocktail is the South of France ($19), which he’s been working on for two years, tweaking until perfect. The drink is a heady mix of absinthe, Sauvignon Blanc, mint and a house-made ginger tincture.
“Anise and sauvignon blanc share lots of volatile molecules,” Galloway says, referring to their chemical composition. Topped off with crushed ice, the result is a drink that tastes like black licorice, but possesses more subtlety than, say, sambuca.
As for all that jazz about absinthe making one go mad, that’s a load of bollocks. Just ask Galloway.
The Cocktail Parlor at Storys, 11 Duncan St., 416-367-5151
Karolyne Ellacott is a features editor at Post City Magazines. She pedals around town in heels, eating sandwiches and drinking cocktails. She writes about that, and about about other stuff too. She is also on Twitter.
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