If you think summer is the perfect time to sip fizzy fruit cocktails on a sun-kissed deck then a Port Coquitlam brand of ready to serve, hand-crafted drinks may soon be chilling in your ice cooler.
PoCo is known for its fine craft brewery industry, but those who prefer their celebratory libations in cocktail form have another local alternative.
Located #1170-573 Sherling Pl., Port Coquitlam, NiceLife Cocktails and Bottling Co, formerly Provincial Spirits, offers an exotic selection of tasty sippers.
Featuring a blend of real fruit juices and fresh botanicals with a burst of tequila, rum, gin or vodka, NiceLife is serving up cocktails on its patio or tasting room rain or shine.
(Hint: you don’t need a sunny day to enjoy these fun cocktails).
Many may already know that the former Provincial Spirits is now NiceLife Cocktails and Bottling Co.
However, those new to the brand will be able to try out the drinks for themselves on July 1, Canada Day, during Port Coquitlam’s big celebration at Castle Park.
The name switch-over took place on April 1 — no joke, says CEO and founder Jesse Bannister.
Port Coquitlam's handcrafted drink scene
He said the company launched the new brand on Instagram after a lengthy trademark battle with a company with a similar name.
The change was announced in a cryptic post and fans of the company’s ‘Ready to Enjoy’ cocktails went bonkers, fearing the company had closed.
“We said it was the end of an era,” recalled Bannister.
The next day they launched the new brand — “It was on,” said Bannister. “Everybody was so excited.”
Bannister is a brand designer himself and the launch of NiceLife had all the hallmarks of a skilled story teller.
One of the signature offerings, a collection of tequila cocktails called The Sunrise Hotel combines flavour with a crazy backstory hearkening back to the deep Mexican desert where tequila is sourced from the Blue Agave plant.
According to company lore, the story originated from the atmosphere Bannister soaked up while in Jalisco, Mexico, while searching for the best tequila.
“There’s a whole backstory to each character and cocktail,” explained Jose Castro, who is head of NiceLife digital.
Each pack of four has distinctive flavours, matching the “character” of someone who might be staying at the Sunrise Hotel.
As the website describes it:
“Tucked into the coastal foothills of the remote Cadillac Island, The Sunrise Hotel has served as a thoroughfare and port for writers, musicians, actors & good-time criminals since the 1920s.
Guests come here to escape the monotony of daily life and experience a shock of colours, smell, flavours, heat and mysticism.”
You can even take a guided tour, and meet some of the guests.
Bannister said he was inspired by the hospitality of the hoteliers he met in Mexico and the fact that every one had a signature cocktail.
Similarly, the Sunrise Hotel collection also has a Welcome Margarita, featuring a blend of tequila, lime juice, prickly pear juice and carbonated water.
Bannister said he had fun creating the brand, although it took a long time, and he hopes customers get a kick out of the story.
Overall, the re-branding went well and his loyal customers keep coming back. However, it’s not easy to change a brand and name that everyone has gotten used to after five years in business.
“Once I stopped crying, it was great,” Bannister said.
A perfect summer sip: fizzy fruit cocktails
The line of spirits and cocktails offered at NiceLife.ca include
- the Sunrise Hotel collection of four fruit flavours mixed with tequila
- pre-mixed, bartender quality cocktails that can be served over ice, such as a Negroni, Aviation, Gin Old Fashioned and a Rum Sidecar
- flavoured gin and vodka called Gathered Spirits
- an ever changing line up of cocktails, including the popular Gin and Grapefruit mix
A membership is also offered, called the Nice Life Social Club, where you can have bottled cocktails delivered to your home each month, including the newest cocktail on offer.
Additionally, private liquor stores around the Lower Mainland offer Nice Life sippers. Find out more on the website.
