There’s something special about a drink that captures a place: not just in flavour, but in feeling. For the 2026 golf season, we’re raising a glass to the coast with the debut of the *Vancouver Island G & Tee*, a signature sip designed for post-round patios, golden-hour tee boxes, and everything in between.
Built simply but thoughtfully, it starts with a glass over ice (a tulip glass if you’ve got one handy, though any cocktail glass will do), a pour of local gin, and an even split of tonic and soda for balance. The garnish tells the real story: two small sprigs of rosemary, skewered through fresh blackberries. It’s more than aesthetic, rosemary echoes the fragrant rainforest that hugs so many Island fairways, blackberries nod to the wild abundance of summer, and the light, effervescent blend of tonic and soda mirrors the cool Pacific breezes and coastal waters that define the region. It’s crisp, aromatic, and unmistakably Vancouver Island.
Recipe Card
Save the recipe to have on your device or show this recipe to your server:
- Ice
- Local Gin
- 50% tonic / 50% soda
Garnish: Skewer two small rosemary sprigs (1.5″ max) into blackberries. Add a lime wedge for a bright finish, if desired.
Par-fect Patios & Signature Gins
What makes the Vancouver Island G & Tee truly special is the local gin at its heart, with each one bringing its own distinct character, shaped by the region it comes from. It’s a simple way to deepen your connection to the place you’re in, turning a post-round drink into a shared taste of the landscape you’ve just experienced with friends.
Victoria / Langford
Sheringham Distillery
On the South Island, where ocean views meet championship layouts, the G & Tee finds its perfect match with Sheringham Distillery. Crafted in Langford, Sherringham’s gins are known for their coastal botanicals and clean, bright profiles, which are ideal for letting the rosemary and blackberry garnish shine. Whether you’re finishing a round on a patio overlooking the course or settling into a seaside seat, this pairing delivers a refined, ocean-kissed take on the signature serve.
The par-fect patios to enjoy:
- Olympic View Patio – Table Nineteen patio is a bright, welcoming space overlooking several finishing holes, blending course views with a lively clubhouse feel. With locally inspired, carefully crafted food and drinks, it’s a natural extension of the round where golfers settle in, watch groups pass, and let the experience linger beyond the 18th green.
- Highland Pacific Driving Range – The Range Café patio at Highland Pacific Golf offers open views of rolling terrain and distant mountains. Overlooking both practice and play, it exudes a relaxed, social atmosphere where golfers flow seamlessly between range sessions and patio breaks, enjoying casual food, drinks, and the steady rhythm of swings.
- Westin Bear Mountain – The Serip Bar & Lounge offers an open-air setting with both indoor and outdoor seating, along with wide panoramic views. The spacious design blends with the natural surroundings, making it a great spot to kick back, take in the scenery, and enjoy a drink.
Cowichan
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
In Cowichan, where vineyards and fairways roll through one of Canada’s warmest microclimates, the natural choice is Merridale’s Aura Cowichan Gin. Distilled with a deep sense of place, Aura brings layered botanicals and a subtle orchard influence that complements the G & Tee’s refreshing lift. It’s the kind of drink that feels right at home after a round among the valley’s pastoral courses, sun on your shoulders, glass in hand.
The par-fect patios to enjoy:
- Arbutus Ridge Golf Club – The Satellite Bar & Grille patio offers one of the most scenic views on the course, with sweeping sights over the 18th green and toward the Satellite Channel. Elevated above the fairways, it blends ocean, island, and mountain backdrops into a relaxed post-round setting, great for watching groups finish and lingering after the round.
- Cowichan Golf Club – Links Bar & Grill provides a relaxed setting overlooking tree-lined fairways. It’s the ideal spot to unwind after a round, with casual food, a drink, and the laid-back pace that defines Cowichan golf.
Parksville and Qualicum Beach
Misguided Spirits
Further north, in Parksville Qualicum Beach, the vibe shifts to laid-back coastal charm, and Misguided Spirits fits right in. Known for their creative, small-batch approach, Misguided’s gin adds a playful edge to the G & Tee, enhancing the berry notes while keeping things bright and sessionable. It’s an easy-drinking companion for long summer evenings, whether you’re recounting birdies or just soaking in the view.
The par-fect patios to enjoy:
- Morningstar Golf Club – The Grill patio features a relaxed, sunlit setting overlooking tree-lined fairways. Just steps from the 18th green, its casual atmosphere is excellent after a round, good food, cold drinks, and the steady stream of finishing golfers extend the experience.
- Fairwinds Golf Club – Greenview Taphouse’s patio delivers genuine post-round energy at Fairwinds Golf Club, set beside rolling greens with ocean glimpses. Built for lingering, it pairs local taps, shareable comfort food, and golden-hour views in a welcoming, community space. Golfers and guests can relax, share stories, and extend the round into the evening.
Comox Valley
Wayward Distillery
Wayward Distillery in the Comox Valley, where mountains meet the sea and wildlife is never far away, Wayward Distillery brings something truly unique to the glass. Their honey-based spirits offer a soft, rounded character that pairs beautifully with the herbal rosemary and tart blackberry garnish. It’s a slightly richer interpretation of the G & Tee, still refreshing, but with a depth that reflects the rugged beauty of the North Island.
The par-fect patios to enjoy:
- Crown Isle Golf Resort – The Timber Room patio at Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community ranks among the Comox Valley’s most scenic, overlooking the 18th green with expansive views of the glacier and surrounding mountains.
Campbell River
Shelter Point Distillery
Shelter Point Distillery in Campbell River, where coastal adventure meets untamed natural beauty, Shelter Point’s Saratoga Sands Gin offers a distinctive take on the Vancouver Island G & Tee. Distilled just down the road, this gin carries subtle maritime notes and a smooth, elegant finish that pairs effortlessly with the drink’s herbal and berry-forward garnish. It’s a fitting choice for rounds played along the edge of the wild, bringing a true sense of place to every refreshing sip.
The par-fect patios to enjoy:
- Storey Creek Golf Club – The Creekside Grill patio sits amid dense coastal forest, creeks, and ponds. This peaceful post-round spot lets golfers unwind steps from the 18th green, surrounded by natural sounds and an enduring sense of being immersed in the landscape.
- Campbell River Golf Club, Velocity Lounge – At Velocity Lounge & Driving Range, the patio and lounge space blur the line between range and social hangout. Overlooking the Toptracer bays, it’s a lively, modern golf setting where swings, food, and drinks all share the same energy, superb for post-round downtime or a casual evening built around the game.
A Signature Finale For Every Round
However you play your round, whether chasing a personal best or simply soaking in the scenery, the Vancouver Island G & Tee is the perfect way to close it out. It’s more than just a cocktail; it’s a reflection of the landscapes, flavours, and easygoing coastal spirit that define every stop along the Vancouver Island Golf Trail. From south to north, each sip connects you back to the fairways, forests, and ocean views you’ve just experienced. This season, make it part of your post-round ritual, because no day on the Island is truly complete without one more moment on the patio, glass in hand, and the taste of the coast lingering long after the final putt.
April 15, 2026, by: website