Today we took a ride up the Grouse Mountain gondola to learn more about Canada’s number one mocktail brand, made in Canada.
It was just a shame that the rain brought clouds and fog, obscuring our view from this vantage point and brought the event indoors as apposed to the original idea of the highest roof top patio party in the city. 4000 feet in the air and we were literally in the clouds. However, we were able to catch a bit of the skyline and water going back down, as the day cleared.
This was championed as a mocktail hour tasting with lunch, hosted by Atypique’s Co-founder and former CFL player, Étienne Boulay.
Guests were invited into Altitudes Bistro, shut down for the private event within Grouse Mountain Lodge. We were greeted with canapés like dry falafel and cucumber; and a tomato, cheese, and pesto crostini.
At the bar we were able order any of the 8 flavours of Atypique cocktails, each with its own colour for easy distinction.
As we drank our low calorie beverages in classic mocktail flavours like gin and tonic, margarita, piña colada, red wine sangria, spritz, spiced rum and coke, amaretto sour, and mojito we took advantage of their photo props and ops.
They’re marketing team certainly poured energy and effort into theming out the bistro space. Decals on windows, a photo arch, and even swings to pose on.
When time, guests were invited to take a seat at any available table. Before each seat was a placemat showcasing Atypique‘s most popular 4 flavours.
Étienne Boulay was then introduced as our host. He spoke to the history of the brand that launched 5 years ago. He did so disclosing his involvement in its origins, speaking honestly and candidly with his own encounter with substance.
Étienne had a stint in the CFL and NFL. However it ended when he got addicted to drugs and alcohol, and found himself in a cycle of detoxing and relapsing in rehab. He showed pride when he recited the exact day in 2017 when he “Got a hold of it” and “kicked” his habit.
In doing so he realized he had to change his lifestyle, changing his way of thinking, and the circle of people he surrounded himself with. However, he still liked and wanted to go out. Although felt left out when everyone else was sipping on “fun” drinks and he was sipping on water. So in truth he created this product for himself, as something he can enjoy that is “fun” when he is out with his friends.
The brand’s first flavour was the gin & tonic, as the post popular cocktail in Quebec. When he pitched it to the grocery chain, Sobeys; management had to double check that it indeed contained no alcohol and then asked when they would be able to try the rest of the product line. This brought about the creation of all the subsequent flavours.
Étienne knew he had a hit on his hands and his product would appeal to those who (like him) are battling demons, who want to save their drinking for the weekends with mocktails on the weekdays, and for those who are not able to ingest alcohol due to a pregnancy or being on medication. However he was caught off guard by how the younger generations were keen on it and they soon became part of the Dr. Pepper Canada’s portfolio. And Western Canada is a big part of that with healthy living being top of mind and that the ready to drink non-alcoholic, canned cocktails are lower in calories. On average 60 calorie a can with the sangria being 70, and the rum the highest at 80 calories a can. Ironically, these two were my favourite of the 8 can line.
We then proceeded to work our way through the four best sellers before us, like a group tasting.
Their newest flavour is the piña colada. It reminded the room of the coconut spirit, Malibu. I found it had a toned down flavour of fruit and I couldn’t help but compare it to La Coix in how light the flavour was.
The Mojito was similar in strength. It reminded me of soda water with a splash of lime. I could have used both more lime and more mint.
Their crown jewel, the Gin & Tonic was not my favourite. Whereas the above tasted like blurred out and watered down versions of their intended cocktails, the gin was missing its botanicals. The herbaceousness and distinct floral quality of gin had this lacking.
My favourite was the Red Sangria. This was launched as a summer only release, but after online public outrange; Atypique brought it back for regular circulation. I gave Étienne the idea of substituting it out for a mulled wine during the winter months, and suggesting they can warm it up as well.
The sangria I found the closest representation of the desired cocktails. It had a comparatively bolder flavour than the others and is one of the only ones I could see having it with food.
The other is their Spritz, attended to mimic an Aperol Spritz with its orange citrus notes, but without the use of the actual spirit, it cannot be named or described as such.
I was least fond of the Margarita. I found this had a medicinal taste and felt like it needed a flavour to help pull it all together. Lime and salt for the classic flavour or a guava one to try something new and more exotic.
Thanks to the cola in this, it reminded me of a Rum & Coke, but without any of the “spices” that its name promised.
I was surprised by how much I liked the Amaretto Sour. This was my second favourite of the bunch. It did not taste like or remind me of its inspired cocktail, but I enjoyed its almond fizz nonetheless. I saw this as something new and all its own, that I have never tried before, instead of holding it to its name. One of my table mates described it as an almond croissant.
All the above we sipped on with lunch. This was a buffet, kept warm in troughs. A selection of salad, buns, vegetables, fish, and beef. Plenty for everyone and enough for seconds.
For dessert there were sliced cakes, fruit, and tarts. I enjoyed the desserts more than the savoury entrees, which is surprising, considering I am not big on sweets. I ended up having one of their Portuguese egg tarts and a butter tart with raisins. I finished both.
In short this was a big way to introduce the mocktail line, but I couldn’t help but look out the all window exterior and think what could have been with sun instead of rain.
