As Canadians, there’s a certain heartbreak we become accustomed to when we inevitably lose our homegrown heroes to the bright lights of L.A. Sure, our local talent comes back to visit and to film (hello, Hollywood North tax breaks), but the list of Canadian transplants in California is so long they should be paying us a finder’s fee (especially for the Ryans—Reynolds and Gosling, obvs).

Actress Cobie Smulders is one such loss. The Vancouver-born How I Met Your Mother star became an inadvertent representative of her hometown throughout the show’s 10-year run as Robin Scherbatsky, whose Canadianness and love of the Canucks were often alluded to as an affectionate punchline. Following the show’s conclusion, Smulders has played a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Agent Maria Hill, so she returns to Vancouver this week as a beloved ambassador and action star.

Smulders is the new face of Please! Beverage Co., a bottled cocktail company and tasting room in Mount Pleasant/Olympic Village that is celebrating its first anniversary with a big bash later today. She will be making two appearances this week to meet fans and sign autographs, starting with the party at the tasting room, which she says is one of her favorite places to grab a drink in the city. “They are a wonderful independent Vancouver company that has fantastic craft cocktails,” she says.

Smulders will make another appearance at a Please! pop-up tasting at Olympic Village’s Legacy Liquor Store (1633 Manitoba Street) on Friday, August 9 from 3 to 5 p.m.

“I love made-in-Vancouver success stories and a company like this that believes in sourcing and supporting local,” she says. “I’m excited to come back home and hang out in one of my favourite cities and celebrate a big occasion for the whole Please! team.”

We caught up with Smulders ahead of the party to hear more about what she’s up to and what she misses most about her hometown.

Carlyle Routh

What do you miss most about Canada when you’re in LA?

“I mostly miss my family and friends who live up North. But also Ketchup chips.”

What’s your first stop when you arrive back in your hometown?

“A visit to one of my nieces or nephews, with a Tim Hortons double double.”

What parts of your childhood growing up in Vancouver were you most excited to share with your children?

“Anything outdoors. I grew up spending a lot of time on Pender and Mayne Island, fishing and running around exploring forests. Every time we are in Canada I am so happy to take my family out on the same adventures along the coast and into the interior of BC.”

We haven’t seen you on screen in a while, what have you been up to?

“I’ve been moming really hard. But I’ve also been lucky enough to travel a lot this year. I also shot an independent movie that is premiering at TIFF next month called Sharp Corner.”

You’ve been doing more voice work recently, how are you enjoying flexing a different acting muscle?

“I love to roll into a sound booth having had no hair or makeup done and maybe still have my pajamas on? I’ve been having a blast recording Super Team Canada which is an animated series, and an Audible series called Mistletoe Murders.”

Are there any other creative muscles you would want to exercise? For instance, we love any time you sing. Could we ever see you on Broadway?

“I would love to do Broadway again. I could not subject anyone to my live singing voice so musicals are out but I’ve been dabbling at painting and also doing some writing as well.”

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