Newly relaunched Cure Lounge in Whistler is just in time for summer fun

Nita Lake Lodge proudly relaunched its Cure lounge just in time for some fun in the sun during Canada’s 150th summer. Built in 2008, Nita Lake Lodge incorporates its natural surroundings and community lifestyle into its design and attitude. Proof of this is that Nita Lake Lodge was featured in Travel + Leisure 2016 World’s Best Awards and #1 in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2016 Readers Choice Awards. A beautiful oasis away from the hustle and bustle, Nita Lake Lodge is located in the Creekside Village with a free shuttle to the main Whistler Village for guests. There is a long list of amenities including complimentary bike, canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals.

It’s easy to see why the patio is considered one of the best in Whistler with a view of the lake and the mountain backdrop. Vancouver based architects Scott & Scott and interior designer Carolyn Scholz took this view as inspiration for their new design. Flooded with natural light from the floor to ceiling windows that frame the lake and mountains like artwork, Cure Lounge blends modern style with natural elements. The centrepiece of the lounge is the large built-in stone fireplace that will keep visitors cozy come wintertime. The grey and white colour scheme comes from the beautiful British Columbia mountains, towering Douglas fir wood columns, and oak tables with a wood bar that has a silver fox granite top. The natural elements in the space are accented with bold red accents that make you feel warm and comfortable and are reminiscent of the colourful leaves in the fall. Watch Cure Lounge’s transformation with this timelapse video.

Rhiannon Csordas, Cure’s bar manager, is an artist whose creativity shines through in her cocktails. Rhiannon understands all the elements of creating a good dish and translates that into her cocktails, without being afraid to take a risk. Her inspiration comes from all over, the diverse cultures of the people around her, a good understanding of food and flavours and one drink even came to her in a dream. Speaking in sound bites Rhiannon wants her cocktails “to speak for themselves” and “create lasting memories”, something which she definitely accomplishes.

The cocktail menu comes from five main themes. The first one From The Garden, uses items sourced from Nita’s roof top garden, ingredients like strawberries, basil and mint, among others, used in the Refresh cocktail. The Smoke and Spice theme is the most risky; the Ginger Spice cocktail uses a curry-turmeric syrup that results in a cocktail that’s a cross between a chai latte and eggnog in a very good way. The Modernist theme creates updated classic cocktails like Hemingway’s Daughter, a gin based cocktail poured over grapefruit sorbet, sure to be a staple at all weddings at Nita Lake Lodge. Around The World allows guests to have a trip around the world without leaving Whistler with drinks like Sake Sangria or the Blue Hawaii. Finally a selection of Canadian inspired cocktails in the Canada 150 theme like the Maple Manhattan (recipe below). Cure Lounge is a must stop for cocktails when visiting Whistler.

Cure Lounge’s Canadian whiskey flight, is a well-curated variety of styles from across the country. The Pike Creek whisky from Windsor, Ontario is made with no intervention, smooth and the darkest with flavours of maple and caramel. Pemberton Valley’s Organic Single Malt has a hint of peat and backed with “Pemberton’s signature notes” of heather, alpine meadows, dark cherry and hay. Also from Vancouver, but this time on the island, is Shelter Point Single Malt followed by the star, Glen Breton Rare 10 year, from North America’s first single malt distillery, Glenora Distillery, in Cape Breton. A beautiful showcase of what Canada has to offer.

Lobster Salad from the Canada 150 Menu

Nita Lake Lodge’s Chef Dean Hossack has created an eclectic menu of Canadian ingredients and flavours to celebrate the ‘Best of Canada’ for Aura Restaurant. Available until October, the menu takes you on a trip across Canada incorporating Nova Scotia lobster, British Columbia scallops and cured Arctic char from Northern Canada. Each course is paired with wines from all of Canada’s distinct wine regions. The lobster salad paired with Nova Scotia’s Benjamin Bridge sparkling wine is the perfect East Coast start to your journey. (Note: Aura will be receiving it’s own renovations between October 24th and November 23rd)

With its great service, large comfortable rooms, onsite Basecamp Fitness Centre and Loka Yoga studio, Nita Lake Lodge takes great care of its guests. Make it your home every time you visit Whistler, you will not regret it.

2131 Lake Placid Road,

Whistler, BC, Canada, VON 1B2

Reservations 1 888 755 6482

www.nitalakelodge.com

Smoked Maple Manhattan

1.5 oz pike creek whisky,
.5 oz odd society bittersweet vermouth,
.25 oz or .50oz maple syrup (depending how sweet you’d like it),
7 dashes apothecary smoked pear bitters

1. Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain over ice
3. Garnish with a cherry