NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 25th 2005

Shaken and stirred, make mine a Love Potion

Vancouver's Opus Hotel has launched its "Best Summer EVER Martinis" including Love Potion, the most romantic, irresistible cocktail in town. Love Potion – drink one if you dare – is one of eight delectable new martinis available for $8 at Elixir Bar & Restaurant. Alluringly created from Stolichnaya raspberry vodka and Alizé Gold passion fruit cognac, with a hint of cranberry and pineapple flavors – Love Potion is the creation of bar manager Courtney James Smith.

"Six of the eight martinis on our list are Courtney's original creations," says Elixir manager Katherine Evans. "We didn't see him for two weeks. We think he had altogether too much fun." Elixir's Eight for Eight line-up, available only on Thursdays from 11 am to 2 am, is turning hohum Thursday into the night to be seen at Elixir, which has long been one of Vancouver's top after-hours gathering places. And Executive Chef Don Letendre's special Late Night Menu, available from 4:00 pm to 12:45 am every night except Sunday, is the perfect pairing for this season's best martinis.

"As we move into summer, we want to kick things off with a really great excuse to go out," says Evans. "Thursday's have never tasted so good."

The Eight for Eight list includes martinis that would normally cost in the $12 to $14 range, traditional martinis such as Le Citron and Au Chocolat, now joined by Courtney originals – surely destined to become nouveau classiques – Vanilla Sky, Azure Sky, Passionate, Skyy Diver and (dare we say it?) the sensuously, salubrious, Lotus Flower.

"Lotus Flower is one of our top sellers," Evans confides. "It's made from Wyborowa melon vodka, Giffard lychee liquor and pineapple juice, and is garnished with a slice of starfruit – it's a really good looking martini."

Although women particularly like martinis, men too are finding there is considerable appeal in Elixir's exotic line-up.

"It used to be a choice of straight up with an olive, or some kind of fruity concoction," says Evans. "Men don't like fruity. Now we have this great variety of fun flavors and looks, so men are really getting into the act."

Media Contact – Pamela Groberman 604-644-1064 (mobile)
pam@pamelagroberman.com
High resolution photos available at www.opushotel.com/media