Vancouver’s Fraserhood has a new reason to linger late into the evening.
AMA Raw Bar, the ethereal neo-noir Japanese-style speakeasy tucked above Nammos Estiatorio, has unveiled a brand-new winter cocktail menu that leans hard into Japan’s reverence for ingredients.
Created by Dylan Riches, beverage director for Gaia House, the new menu is immersive by design. It blends Japanese spirits, sake, whisky, and unexpected savoury elements into cocktails that feel thoughtful without being precious.
A menu rooted in ritual, with a wink
At AMA, cocktails are never just about what’s in the glass.
This winter menu draws inspiration from the concept of ama, grace, patience, and the honing of time, while layering in playful names, unconventional vessels, and surprising flavour combinations.
“Our new menu is homage to Japan, its beautiful ingredients, and its rich culture,” says Riches. “But our inspirations are far from traditional and come from all over.”
That balance between reverence and whimsy is exactly where AMA thrives.
Dessert-leaning, savoury, and spirit-forward standouts
The menu is intentionally broad, offering something for every type of cocktail drinker.
For those craving something rich and comforting, Mango Mochi delivers tropical dessert vibes with Ketel One vodka, Okonomatsu Navy sake, vanilla, tart mango, and rice milk.
If savoury is more your speed, Flavour No. 5 leans deep into umami. Built with hojicha-infused Toki, Ardbeg Wee Beastie, Mancino Rosso, toasted yeast, pine mushroom, and tamari. It arrives dramatically in a traditional soy sauce vessel, an unmistakable AMA moment.
Fans of classics will gravitate toward the Kaizen Negroni, a lighter, floral rework featuring Taihaizen Sogetsu sake, bittersweet vermouth, Aperol, Lillet, and sour yuzu peach tea.
Then there’s All the Fixins, which might be the most conversation-starting pour on the list. It combines sweet potato shochu, “soda pop” nigori sake, miso and green onion, sour riesling, and cheddar, yes, cheddar, for a bright yet savoury sip that somehow just works.
An exclusive Belvedere collaboration
One of the menu’s most elevated moments comes via a collaboration with the Belvedere team.
The Intertidal features Belvedere 10, a rare vodka made from single-harvest, organic Diamond Rye. It’s layered with Mujen Ai Lite shochu, Mancino Sakura Vermouth, and fino sherry, then finished with fresh cucumber and a hint of sea salt.
The cocktail is served in a delicate, handmade shell glass and paired with a Nigiri Royale, blurring the line between cocktail and culinary experience.
It’s a detail-driven presentation that feels right at home in AMA’s intimate, low-lit space.
Thoughtful non-alcoholic options, too
AMA continues to take its zero-proof offerings seriously.
The “alcoholic liberated” section includes Jazzier in Japan, blending NOA Italian bitter with strawberry, orange, and yuzu, and Day Trip, a refreshing mix of Everleaf Marine, shiso, yuzu, and Perrier.
These aren’t afterthoughts, they’re full-flavoured, well-balanced drinks designed for the same slow-sip experience.
Beyond cocktails: sake, wine, and Japanese spirits
While cocktails lead the narrative, the winter menu extends well beyond the bar program.
Guests will find a carefully curated sake selection, Japanese beers and spirits, and a dedicated wine list overseen by sommelier Simon Riley, including a number of Japanese wines that are still relatively rare in Vancouver.
It’s a quietly impressive lineup that rewards exploration.
A Fraserhood escape worth seeking out
Located at 3980 Fraser Street, AMA continues to cement itself as one of the neighbourhood’s most transportive dining and drinking experiences.
“At AMA, we want to be a place where guests can escape to and enjoy an excellent evening out,” says Petro Kerasiotis, co-founder of Gaia House. “This menu invites guests to explore, to be surprised, but also to just take in the moment with each sip and bite.”
For those looking to shake up their winter nights in Vancouver, AMA’s new cocktail menu is a strong excuse to head south of Broadway and stay awhile.