In celebration of International Gin and Tonic Day, Fairmont Waterfront has unveiled its signature spirit, 'Waterfront Gin,' in collaboration with Wayward Distillery. This distinctive gin is distilled using honey sourced from the hotel’s rooftop apiary and local offsite hives. It features a carefully selected blend of botanicals, including "locally foraged spruce tips, Nootka rosehips, cucumber, and rosemary, along with honeybee-friendly plants such as clover and lavender, capturing the essence of the Canadian West Coast."
Guests can enjoy Waterfront Gin through the 'Garden to Glass' cocktails at ARC Restaurant + Bar, which emphasizes fresh ingredients from the hotel’s rooftop garden. Notable offerings include the 'Apiary cocktail,' which blends Waterfront Gin with chartreuse, house-made honey syrup, champagne acid, and rosemary. Additionally, "the Waterfront Gin + Tonic combines 2 oz of Waterfront Gin with Fever Tree tonic, garnished with juniper berries, lime dust, and an orange twist," providing a refreshing twist on the classic cocktail.
Hotel-Based Signature Spirits
Fairmont Waterfront x Wayward Distillery Debut the 'Waterfront Gin'
Trend Themes
1. Hotel-branded Spirits - Hotels creating their own branded spirits like 'Waterfront Gin' showcase a shift in hospitality branding through unique local offerings.
2. Apiary-infused Alcoholic Beverages - Distilling spirits with honey from on-site apiaries represents a sustainability trend emphasizing hyper-local, eco-friendly ingredients.
3. Botanical-inspired Cocktails - The use of locally foraged and bee-friendly botanicals in cocktails signifies growing consumer interest in natural and health-conscious drink options.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - Innovative collaborations between hotels and local distilleries highlight new avenues for enhancing guest experiences and loyalty.
2. Craft Distilling - Collaborative production of spirits infused with unique local ingredients drives the craft distilling industry toward more personalized and distinctive offerings.
3. Sustainable Food & Beverage - The integration of rooftop apiaries and garden produce into hotel dining menus underscores a sustainability movement within the food and beverage sector.