Beverage

The Edible Valley Podcast — Holiday Drinks at Home
The holidays are busy, cozy, and a little chaotic — and somewhere in the middle, a drink gets poured. In this episode, Chef Jonathan Frazier shares simple, thoughtful holiday drinks that actually show up at home, from sparkling aperitifs to warming, spirit-forward options and inclusive low- or no-alcohol choices.
He also shares hosting tips and reflections on slowing down, enjoying your guests, and creating memorable moments around the table.
🍷The best holiday drink isn’t the fanciest — it’s the one that brings people together.
#HolidayDrinks, #EdibleValleyPodcast, #VancouverIslandEats, #HomeHosting, #SimpleCocktails, #FoodPodcast, #HolidayEntertaining, #WinterCocktails, #ChefTips, #DrinkSeasonally
 
The Edible Valley Podcast – Holiday Spirits: Local Cocktails & Festive Pairings
 
1. Comox Valley Holiday Honey Sparkler
Wayward Distillery Unruly Gin (honey-based)
45 ml gin, 
15 ml honey syrup,
15 ml lemon juice,
top with sparkling wine
Garnish: Cinnamon stick & orange twist
Food Pairing: Brie with cranberry compote, spiced nuts, citrus-glazed shrimp
Holiday Touch: Sweet honey and cinnamon evoke festive warmth in a sparkling aperitif.
 
2. Shelter Point Winter Old Fashioned
Shelter Point Whisky
60 ml whisky,
10 ml maple syrup,
2 dashes bitters
Garnish: Orange peel & star anis
Food Pairing: Roast turkey or ham, maple-glazed root vegetables, dark chocolate tart
Holiday Touch: Oak and spice notes make it cozy and rich for winter celebrations.
3. Festive Phrog & Beaufort Vermouth Flip
Phrog Gin/Vodka + Beaufort Vermouth
45 ml gin, 
15 ml Beaufort vermouth, 
15 ml honey syrup, 
15 ml lemon juice,
egg yolk optional
Garnish: Cranberries & rosemary
Food Pairing: Herb roasted vegetables, cheese & fruit boards, spiced desserts
Holiday Touch: Cranberries and rosemary bring seasonal color and flavor to a creamy cocktail.
4. Wayward Spiced Honey Toddy
 
Wayward Krupnik Spiced Honey Liqueur
60 ml Krupnik,
120 ml hot water,
15 ml lemon juice
Garnish: Cinnamon stick & lemon wheel
Food Pairing: Gingerbread, roasted turkey with cranberry chutney, baked apples
Holiday Touch: A warm toddy with honey, cinnamon, and citrus — perfect for cozy winter nights.
 
5. Sunshine Maple Flip
Shelter Point Sunshine Liqueur (Orange Spice Maple)
45 ml Sunshine Liqueur, 
15 ml bourbon (optional), 
15 ml lemon juice,
15 ml egg yolk
Garnish: Orange twist & nutmeg
Food Pairing: Maple-glazed ham, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin cheesecake
Holiday Touch: Creamy, citrusy, and spiced — a rich festive cocktail for holiday feasts.
 
6. Krupnik Apple Cider Spark
Wayward Krupnik Spiced Honey Liqueur
45 ml Krupnik,
90 ml warm apple cider,
15 ml lemon juice, 
dash of cinnamon
Garnish: Apple slice & cinnamon stick
Food Pairing: Pork roast with apple sauce, aged cheddar & honey, mini apple pies
Holiday Touch: Mulled apple cider combined with spiced honey liqueur — cozy and aromatic.
 

If you’re looking for inspiration for a meaningful holiday table, this episode of The Edible Valley Podcast is worth a revisit.
Jonathan and Erin dive into what makes a holiday meal truly special, from sourcing local, seasonal ingredients to blending family traditions with new ideas. The conversation explores how food helps set the tone for the season, creating connection, comfort, and a sense of place around the table.
They also talk through several holiday-ready dishes and ideas, including comforting vegetable-forward sides, hearty mains that work for mixed dietary tables, and simple recipes that can be prepped ahead to reduce stress on the big day. From thoughtful use of winter produce to flavour-building techniques that make plant-forward dishes shine, there’s plenty of practical takeaways you can use right away.
Along the way, Jonathan and Erin share tips for planning, pacing your prep, and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner or a larger holiday gathering.
And finally, a heartfelt congratulations to William on the arrival of his baby girl. Welcome to the world, little one.
If you missed this episode when it first aired, now is the perfect time to give it a listen as the holidays approach.
 

In this episode of "The Edible Valley Podcast," Chefs Jonathan Frazier and William Stringer dish out the latest culinary trends of 2024. Are you diving into unconventional delights like "Snacks for Dinner" or embracing the rise of "Nonalcoholic Spirits and Wine"? Join the hosts as they explore the innovative realms of "Plant-Based Cuisine," the allure of "Gourmet White Chocolate," and the cultural fusion in "Third-Culture Cuisine." Discover if your kitchen is equipped with the trendsetting "Countertop Ovens" and explore the flavor journey with "Ube." It's a flavorful odyssey.

In today's episode, we discuss the pros and cons of dining both with, and without companions. Does it affect the experience? The food? The enjoyment? Listen in for Jonathan's, William's, and Darren's various takes' on the matter. 

William, Darren, and guest JP Murimuri have some laughs and reminenisce while discussing cocktails and non-alcohol options.

What a great time we had talking to the owners of Tidal Cafe! Kurt and Blythe Reimer were exuberant, enthusiastic, and gracious guests on this episode the Edible Valley. Their passion for the Valley, good food, and building community bursts forth in everything they do. It's impossible to not get swept up in their energy and dedication to their craft!
 
Facebook: Tidal Cafe
Instagram:Tidal Cafe

Do you eat, drink, think, local? We have “Edible Vancouver Island” to talk with us about their new with quarterly publication and online resource, committed to celebrating and promoting the local food and drink culture of Vancouver Island. Dawn Postnikoff (Publisher / Editor) and Danika McDowell (Creative Director) join us to discuss their new project. 

This week the boys have the chance to catch up and talk with each other. Darren takes time to go over of few of his favourite places around the valley that he has had the chance to visit in the last little while. If your looking for a new spots or revisiting an old one ,you may have to check out this episode. With over 100 places around to visit we chat about restaurants, pubs, food trucks, cafes and more.  Jonathan also drops some hints of his next venture.

It's time to quench your thirst! We are lucky enough to have Jessica Macpherson of Heavenly Libations come to the studio to talk about shrubs. What’s a shrub, you ask? You'll have an to listen to Jessica explain their make up, history and flavours. From sodas to cocktails, this old school way of preserving will touch your taste buds

Ever wonder how chefs come up with menu prices? Or what goes into creating the dollar amount you see on menus and how exactly restaurants make their money? On this episode, the first of three, we examine the ever fluctuating cost of food itself. Please enjoy, and as always we enjoy your feedback and reviews.

 
This time we're talking about what's hot on the dinner table. Checking out the Canadian food scene we go through the top 10 of great food eats and up-and-coming trends for this year 2017.
 

Comox Valley Dine Around 2016 is coming up quick, so we sat down with Deana Simkin for all of the details. Deana is A member of the committee that organizes the event, as well as a participant with her own local business - Billy D's Pub and Bistro. Deana brings us up to speed on the history of Dine Around, its growing success, and the future of where it's headed! We also talk a little bit about its branching into other events, such as the Sip Around and Brews Cruise. Everyone in the local food industry is gearing up and getting excited as the event itself is right around the corner! Listen in and get all the details.
Check the menus
www.comoxvalleydinearound.com
#cvdinearound