Located in the heart of Kelowna’s north-end brewery district, Born to Shake is a cocktail haven. We pride ourselves on crafting unique and delicious cocktails that you can replicate at home with our made-in-house products.
Born to Shake's happy hour is a celebration of great flavors, good times, and even better prices. Join us daily from 3-6pm for the perfect antidote to a long day at work or a delightful start to a leisurely evening.
Happy Hour at Born to Shake includes some of our signature cocktails. Whether you're craving a refreshing cocktail, something spirit forward, or a beer-jito, you can enjoy your favorite libations at discounted prices. It's a chance to explore the menu without breaking the bank.
One of the standout features of Born to Shake's menu is our commitment to using seasonal ingredients. You can expect fresh, locally sourced fruits and herbs that elevate your cocktail experience. Each season brings a new set of delightful surprises, making every visit unique.
While every cocktail at Born to Shake is a work of art, there are a few happy hour specials that deserve a special mention:
Fresh AF
Like if a mojito and a gin and tonic had a baby. This flavourful cocktail is as refreshing as it is beautiful - served in a tall glass full of ice, Cool as a Cucumber gives this drink a gorgeous green tone with flavours of cucumber and mint.
Blueberry Mule
Born to Shake's twist on the classic Moscow Mule, this drink features local craft vodka, ginger beer, and a splash of our Out of the Blue syrup, offering a touch of tart blueberry that complements spicy ginger oh-so-well.
Whiskey Old Fashioned
For those who love spirit-forward beverages, this one’s for you! Our take on the Old Fashioned includes our Old Fashioned syrup and two different bitters: Shmok’n Chocolate and Old Fashioned. The perfect blend of orange, brown sugar, and whiskey flavours.
Born to Shake is more than just a cocktail bar; it's an experience. Our bar is a result of our unique cocktail products and our love for a great place for a drink. It combines our signature cocktails, seasonal specials, delicious tapas, and a welcoming atmosphere. Born to Shake is the spot for you whether you're a seasoned cocktail enthusiast or just looking for a place to unwind and enjoy good company. Raise a glass with us and let’s toast to happy hour. Cheers!
]]>If you're a cocktail enthusiast or just enjoy a well-crafted drink, then Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, is the place to be. This picturesque city, nestled in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, is a haven for those seeking to quench their thirst for expertly crafted cocktails. Unforgettable cocktail experiences await you, blending local, artisanal spirits with a creativity that pushes the limits of mixology.
In this blog post, we're shaking things up by featuring ten of the best cocktails Kelowna has to offer. So, strap in for an exciting journey through some of Kelowna’s most innovative and delightful cocktail bars, filled with inspiring flavours and concoctions.
Our journey begins here, at Born To Shake, our bar that breathes new life into classic cocktails. The Carrot Cake Old Fashioned is an imaginative drink, merging Okanagan spirits oak-aged gin with Sons of Vancouver amaretto. The unique carrot cake syrup, infused with the delightful notes of orange, carrot, bergamot, and demerara, creates a surprisingly sweet and earthy base. The Covfefe Bitters and orange twist bring a spicy citrus finish that leaves you craving more.
Next up, we have the Group Therapy from Micro Bar Bites. This cocktail is a liquid symphony of raspberry-infused Teremana Reposado Tequila, Licor 43, grapefruit, and pink peppercorn oleo-saccharum, harmoniously topped off with prosecco. Each sip promises a tantalizing burst of flavours that dance on your palate.
Returning to Born To Shake, the Fresh AF is a light and rejuvenating gin-based cocktail. Cool as a Cucumber syrup pairs the freshness of cucumber and mint with the unexpected kick of pink peppercorn which contrasts beautifully with the tang of lemon and bubbly craft tonic, creating a refreshing and revitalizing drink.
Jacks Kelowna introduces us to the Detroit Rock City, a cocktail bursting with fruity zest. Combining Tito’s, Licor 43, strawberry, lemon, and a delicate orange blossom foam, this drink delivers a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavors, rounded off with a subtle floral undertone.
Dive into a tropical paradise here at Born To Shake with the Watermelon Paloma. This cocktail is a refreshing blend of All Thai'd Up syrup, fresh lime juice, blanco tequila, and a Hibiscus Salt rimmer. The unique combination of Thai-inspired syrup with the tartness of fresh lime and the smoothness of blanco tequila creates a taste sensation that's both exotic and invigorating. Whether you're lounging by the lake or enjoying a night out in Kelowna, this cocktail is a taste of summer in every sip.
Social242 gives a fruity spin to a traditional favorite with the Peached Iced Tea. Combining earl grey infused vodka with peach schnapps and a touch of lemon simple syrup, this drink is a delightful blend of familiar and exotic flavors that will invigorate your taste buds.
At The Ricco Room, the Fairy Godmother awaits. This cocktail is a magical blend of Absinthe, St. Germain, pineapple, lemon, lime, sparkling wine, and a citrus bubble to top it off. With every sip, experience a fantastical journey of fruity and herbal flavors, underscored by a delightful effervescence.
Channeling the bold attitude of the iconic Mr. T, this cocktail from the Central Kitchen & Bar is a playful and flavourful blend that's sure to make you smile. Stoli Vodka, Peach Schnapps, cold tea, orange, and ginger come together in a harmonious mix that's both sweet and tangy.
The infusion of cold tea adds a comforting touch, while the orange and ginger provide a zesty kick. It's a drink that's as fun and unique as its namesake, and as the menu says, "We pity the fool that doesn't love this drink." Perfect for those looking to try something a little different and enjoy a good laugh with friends.
The classic Negroni gets an elevated twist at Perch Sky Lounge. Featuring Broker's London Dry Gin, Martini Rosso Vermouth, Campari, and a touch of Hendrick’s, this cocktail stays true to its roots while offering a subtle, innovative touch.
Finally, we conclude the tour at Krafty Kitchen, where the Apple of My Rye is a blend of sweet and tangy flavors. It merges rye with the sweetness of dulce de leche, the tang of lemon, and the crispness of apple. It's a harmonious fusion that leaves a lasting impression.
These incredible drinks showcase the best cocktails Kelowna has to offer. From unique takes on classics to groundbreaking creations, Kelowna's cocktail scene is diverse and exciting, ensuring that every visitor will find a drink to suit their tastes. Remember to savor each sip and drink responsibly. Cheers to your next cocktail adventure in beautiful Kelowna!
Fluff up your Mother's Day mimosas with a floral syrup instead of orange juice. Add a half ounce of Blossom Sauce, Ms. Lavender or Babe Sauce to your sparking wine for a bright, beautiful and easy to execute sparking cocktail. Pro tip: cheap and cheerful bubbles will do - save the good stuff for later!
Ingredients
1 bottle of red wine (750ml) - we used Lava Red from Volcanic Hills
2x star anise
4x green cardamom pods (leave whole)
2x allspice berries
2x cinnamon sticks
2x cloves
Small handful of cocoa nibs
2x orange wheel slices cut about 1/8” thick
4x brown sugar cubes (or to taste)
Directions
*fresh orange is great to use, especially for garnishing your finished cocktail, but if you have dried orange wheels on-hand, these are great too and still add tons of flavour to your mulled wine; plus, they’re great for storing for future use!
**If you let your mixture boil or cook for too long, you will cook off all of your alcohol in the wine.
Want to level up your cocktail?! You’ve come to the right place!
Add 0.5oz of Benedictine to each glass of mulled wine.
Want to take it one step further?? Of course, you do…
Our Cherry Bomb syrup is the perfect addition to your mulled wine! Add 0.25oz to 0.5oz of this tasty treat into each glass and see the depth of flavour you can achieve!
Some tricks of the trade...
Start small
Mulled wine is not horribly complicated to make and it’s fun to try out new spices and ingredients based on what you have in the pantry or fridge. Start with a smaller recipe and see if you like it. Once you do, it’s easy to scale up from there by multiplying your ingredients list.
Pro tip: always have a paper and pen handy when you’re making a new recipe. Right down all your weights or volumes for your ingredients as you add them in, because we always think we’re going to remember what we included but by the time you get to the end, you’re a little spotty on at least a few items!
What wine do I use?!
Great question – the juicier the red, the better. We want a wine that has a lot of body, something that is going to be able to support all the flavours we infuse into it and when we take a sip, we know it’s going to warm our soul. Think merlot, zinfandel, or syrah! Blends could work well too, but be careful with overly bodacious wines as tannins can play an important and fun role here, but you don’t want the final product to be overly grippy and take away from the smoothness of your drink. We used Volcanic Hills Lava Red because it has a touch of sweetness on the finish. It’s Volcanic Hills' best seller for a reason. We wanted to play up on the nutty and dark bitter-chocolate flavours in the cacao nibs as well! A little secret though - our favourite wine to use is the one that’s been open for a couple days on the counter…
Choosing your flavours
You want a combination of aromatic and herbal flavours such as allspice, clove, or cardamom, and warming or soothing spices like cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg. Citrus plays a crucial role in balancing your flavours and a little too much can throw your equilibrium off like crazy! Don’t be afraid to combine citrus – orange with a touch of lemon goes a long way.
How sweet is too sweet?
Everyone’s palette is different. If you’re making a batch for you and your friends, remember, you can always ADD sweet to your cocktail, you can’t remove it. Air on the side of caution and under-sweeten your batched drinks so you can have room to add fun syrups or liqueurs without having too sweet of a final cocktail.
Remember, life’s too short to drink shitty cocktails – so, enjoy!!