Yorkville mixologist Hugo Silva went into the kitchen at Pangea Restaurant and came out a cocktail champion.A week ago he was named %26#34;Toronto’s best bartender%26#34; by vodka-maker Finlandia and is headed to Kittila, Finland, in February as Canada’s entry in the International Finlandia Vodka Cup.%26#34;My inspiration was a sorbet we make in-house here,%26#34; the 34-year-old explains at the Bay St. restaurant. %26#34;I often go into the kitchen to see what’s going on.%26#34;The refreshing lime and blueberry ice was reinvented as the BLT cocktail (for blueberry, lime and a twist), a mix of bottled blueberry tea, lime-infused vodka and a twist of fresh lime peel, shaken over ice and poured into a champagne flute.
It was one of three drinks Silva concocted for the competition last Sunday, which pitted him against seven other local bartenders. All were judged on taste, style, speed and consistency of the finished product. Each was charged with creating original recipes based on Finlandia products for an aperitif, a long drink and an after-dinner cocktail. It was the first time the Finlandiacontest was held Canada and the 10th anniversary for the international competition. Silva was thrilled to be the first Canuck to win the massive martini glass. %26#34;I’m very excited about this,%26#34; says Silva. Born in Lisbon, Portugal, Silva has made his way up in the restaurant business over the past 15 years in Toronto, eventually working as a bartender at nearby Hemingway’s before joining Pangea in June.From the beginning, Silva turned to cuisine for his inspiration.
%26#34;I enjoy trying flavours and get ideas in the kitchen,%26#34; he says, adding he thinks tropical tastes will be hot next year. One of his cocktails used guava juice.Simplicity and freshness make his cocktails work, says Silva. We talked about the addictive cherry schnapps from his homeland, called ginginha. Served ice cold, it’s fruity-sweet and powerful %26ndash; and hard to find in Toronto unless you have Portuguese pals. He’s thinking about getting his grandmother’s recipe and adding it to the menu. Of course, his three winning drinks will also be available at the bar.But first, a tour of Finland and a chance to vie for the cocktail prize. Silva can’t wait to experience life in Lapland.
%26#34;I always want to go up north and it’s really up north,%26#34; he quipped.The BLT1 1/2 oz lime vodka3 oz bottled blueberry teafresh icelime twistAdd vodka and tea to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a champagne glass. Garnish with a lime twist, gently wringing the peel over the glass to release some citrus oils first. Makes one drink.Know of an interesting bar that makes a signature cocktail with a recipe worth sharing?
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