Cocktail Culture: Rediscovering Retro Drinks at Fairmont Hotels and Resorts

It's no secret that old-fashioned cocktails as well as modern alternatives are having a moment, and bartenders across Fairmont hotels and resorts are shaking and stirring beloved staples and interesting concoctions for guests' sipping pleasure.

The cocktail revival that started years ago as one of the hottest trends in the bar and restaurant industry appears to be here to stay, with guests also becoming increasingly curious about the provenance of the ingredients in their beverages and cuisine. With ingredients such as house-made Lillet, ginger puree, local Maui cane sugar, and fresh lime juice, Fairmont's mixologists are having fun reviving a bygone era of cocktail culture with the following fresh libations.

The Algonquin at The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Le Sam, the hotel's casual bistro, is a stunning gold bar where mixologists work their magic. The design of the bar draws upon the Ch�teau's unique history as a destination of the Canadian Pacific Railway, influenced by vintage train cars and decorated with furnishings and finishes that recall the Art Deco and the Jazz Age.

The Algonquin is just like a jewel, smoked with white cedar and orange peels, Gin Ungava, Vermouth Rouge Dolin, Chartreuse verte, Aphrodite bitter. This is Le Sam's spin on the classic Bijou, which uses gin to represent diamonds, sweet vermouth for rubies and Chartreuse for emeralds. Le Sam's is called the Algonquin because the smoke suggests the campfires of Quebec's first inhabitants.

Tonga Mai Tai at The Fairmont San Francisco

Located at the Fairmont San Francisco, Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar has delighted guests with its tropical d�cor, decadent drinks and Asian cuisine since the 1940s. Having reigned as a swanky outpost of South Seas high style for much of its storied history, Tonga Room more recently gained a following as an icon of tiki's pop culture heyday, and Anthony Bourdain has even called it "the greatest place in the history of the world."

Each week, Tonga Room serves hundreds of its signature Mai Tai, the most popular cocktail, to visitors and loyal locals eager to imbibe at the historic location. Guests can enjoy their refreshing beverages as they listen to The Island Groove Band, which performs Top 40 hits on a thatch-covered barge on the pool in the center of Tonga Room.

The Vesper at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Featuring sensational views of Whistler Mountain, The Mallard Lounge sits at the base of Blackcomb Mountain serving up Canadian and West Coast cuisine. Conveniently located within arms' reach of the Lounge, two roaring fire pits nestle beside the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain on the Mallard Terrace and offer a warm invitation for tales of Whistler resort adventures. Signature drinks range from locally created cocktails, such as the mustard-must-try Sinapis Alba, to the famous Mallard martinis. Looking to kickstart the Apres Ski or Bike session? Check out the hotel's variation of a James Bond martini called the "Vesper."

Blue Ribbon Mint Julep at The Plaza Hotel

In the early 20th century, Harry MacElhone made his fame in Paris at Harry's New York Bar, but he made his start as Head Bartender at New York City's The Plaza Hotel, before Prohibition pushed him to foreign bars. He has been credited with several classic drinks, including the White Lady, Monkey Gland, Boulevardier and Sidecar. Served in the fashion of the venerable staple of American horseracing, the Blue Ribbon Mint Julep is a take on the classic Sidecar, with a nod to its predecessor, the Brandy Daisy.

Blood Orange Margarita at The Fairmont Dallas

Located at The Fairmont Dallas in the heart of the dynamic Dallas Arts District, Pyramid Bar is an ideal spot to unwind. Offering a vibrant ambiance, Pyramid Bar has delighted guests with an artistic, modern d�cor with colorful details and custom furniture inspired by Impressionist paintings. Cocktail connoisseurs will enjoy a delicious Blood Orange Margarita, a modern twist on the classic Margarita, at Pyramid Bar.

Made with tequila, blood orange and fresh mint grown in the hotel's rooftop herb garden, the Blood Orange Margarita is a perfect choice for a unique cocktail. Locals enjoy Pyramid Bar's seasonal cocktails crafted by expert bartenders, while visiting guests often select the popular Taste of Texas wine flight, offering a trio of interesting varietals that have been hand-selected by the hotel's award-winning sommelier.