Storm’s a-brewin’ at Cornerstone

With hot summer days leaving bar patrons thirsty for a refreshing drink, Cornerstone Bar and Restaurant has just the man for the job.

Justin Cyr, the restaurant’s 26-year-old main bartender, won the judge’s choice award at this year’s Made With Love contest. Last month, Winnipeg highlighted the talent of the region’s best mixologists at the Fort Garry Hotel. Fourteen bartenders competed for a spot in the finale of Made With Love, founded in 2009, to demystify the cocktail culture. Since its inception, Made With Love has hosted more than 150 competitions across Canada, Mexico and Spain.

Cyr won judge’s choice for his winning Tequila-based cocktail, "Mexican storm" blended with ginger beer, pineapple, cinnamon, cloves and honeysuckle.

"My approach is to make a cocktail that is going to be balanced between acidity and sweetness. I prefer making cocktails that are not overly sweet, I like more tartness. I find the flavour I want and I try to find the spirit that will pair well," Cyr explained.

The 14 regional finalists, who had been selected in the qualification round held in May, competed for the titles of public’s choice and judge’s choice. Adam Kowal, representing King’s Head Pub, won the public’s choice Award with his Campari-based cocktail, "Campari Hallow."

The well-deserved victories will bring these two bartenders to compete against the best Canadian mixologists at the finale in May 2018.

"Winning the judge’s choice was a dream come true," said Cyr. "I’m very excited and nervous. I’m going against the best bartenders in Canada.

"I’ll try to make this a learning experience because there are so many talented bartenders in this upcoming competition," Cyr added, looking ahead at next year’s competition, where finalists will try to bring home the title of Canada’s best bartender, along with a trip to one of Made With Love’s partner distilleries.

Cyr enjoys the fun he has in his work at Cornerstone: the environment, the regulars and the opportunities to create feature cocktails.

"As soon as I started working with fresh ingredients at Cornerstone I knew this was a style of bartending I wanted to do. Working at Cornerstone is busy and hectic at times. A lot cocktails are made, a lot beers are poured, and the food is always good and consistent," Cyr said excitedly.

Visit: https://enjoymadewithlove.com