Bright New Year
Celebrate the year of the snake with a burst of vibrant flavour in the Bright New Year cocktail. This bright, refreshing drink brings together the citrusy essence of Nakano Obaachan’s Yuzu Shu, perfectly balanced with the tropical sweetness of pineapple juice and the zing of fresh lemon juice. Topped with a splash of soda for a fizzy finish, this cocktail sparkles with a lively, effervescent charm. Garnished with a playful touch of pineapple fronds, it’s as eye-catching as it is delicious, making it the perfect drink to toast to new beginnings and good fortune in the year ahead.Ingredients
Serves 1
2 oz (60 ml) Nakano Obaachan’s Yuzu Shu
1 oz (30 ml) pineapple juice
½ oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
soda, to top
pineapple fronds, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine yuzu shu, pineapple juice and lemon juice.
- Add ice and shake, then pour over fresh ice into a Collins glass, top with soda and garnish with pineapple fronds.
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Glide Like the Snake
Glide into the new year with the elegance of a snake with this refreshing punch-style cocktail. Aromatic Jasmine Green Tea is combined with Saigon Baigur Gin, Aperol and lemon juice to create a premium punch that can be served throughout an evening of Lunar New Year celebrations. Garnish with star anise and peppercorns for an extra touch of spice.Ingredients
Serves 10 to 12
14 oz (400 ml) Simple Syrup*
28 oz (830 ml) cold Jasmine Green Tea**
21 oz (620 ml) Saigon Baigur Dry Gin
6 oz (180 ml) Aperol Aperitivo
7 oz (210 ml) fresh lemon juice
2 lemons, sliced
whole star anise***
whole peppercorns***
*1:1 ratio of granulated sugar dissolved in boiling water. Allow to cool before using. See note below on adding spices to Simple Syrup.
** To make Jasmine Green Tea, pour 4½ cups (1.1 L) boiling water over 5 to 6 tsp (25 to 30 ml) jasmine green tea leaves and steep for 10 minutes before straining leaves. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for up to 5 days. Makes 4 cups (1 L).
***To make punch more intense, add 4 to 5 whole star anise and 1 tsp (5 ml) whole peppercorns to your Simple Syrup as it cools. This will bring out more spice notes.
Instructions
- Prepare Simple Syrup and Jasmine Green Tea a day in advance. When ready to serve, combine all ingredients except for spices in a punch bowl and stir to combine.
- Add ice just before serving.
- Garnish with star anise and peppercorns, as desired.
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Prosper
Prosper, a cocktail that invites you to toast to fortune and harmony in the year ahead. This spirit-forward creation combines the velvety richness of Hennessy VSOP Cognac, the herbal allure of Amaro Montenegro, and the bittersweet charm of Campari.Ingredients
Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) Hennessy VSOP Cognac*
¾ oz (22 ml) Amaro Montenegro
¼ oz (7.5 ml) Campari
lemon peel
2 leaves fresh sage, for garnish
*For a more budget-friendly option, substitute with St-Rémy VSOP Brandy.
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, combine cognac, Amaro and Campari. Add ice and stir for 7 to 10 seconds. Strain into a coupe or martini glass. Express lemon peel over surface of drink and discard peel, then garnish with sage leaves.
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After 8 Fizz
Celebrate the season with this festive and indulgent cocktail that blends the refreshing bite of peppermint with the smooth sweetness of chocolate. Topped with Codorníu Cava for a bubbly finish, this cocktail is crowned with a decadent swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of shaved chocolate, making it the perfect treat for holiday gatherings.Ingredients
Serves 1
¾ oz (22 ml) Luksusowa Vodka
¾ oz (22 ml) McGuinness Crème de Cacao Liqueur
¼ oz (7.5 ml) McGuinness Peppermint Schnapps
¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice
3 oz (90 ml) Codorníu Cava Clasico Brut
whipped cream and shaved chocolate, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, crème de cacao, schnapps and lemon juice. Add ice and shake for 5 to 7 seconds. Pour over fresh ice in an old-fashioned glass, then top with Cava until ½-in (1.25 cm) from top. Garnish with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.
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Move That to Tomorrow
With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, sometimes it is important to take a moment to reflect and move the to-do list to tomorrow. Savour the moment with this festive spin on a classic mimosa, elevated with grenadine and rosemary.Ingredients
Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) fresh orange juice
¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice
½ oz (15 ml) grenadine
2 dashes Angostura bitters
4 oz (120 ml) Ruffino Lumina Prosecco
orange wheel and fresh rosemary sprig, for garnish
Instructions
- In a Collins glass, stir orange juice, lemon juice, grenadine and Angostura bitters to combine. Add ice and top with Prosecco. Garnish with orange wheel and rosemary sprig.
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Snowy Nights
A French 75 is a classic and elegant cocktail, perfect for holiday entertaining. This rendition is elevated by substituting the traditional Simple Syrup with a homemade Cinnamon Lemongrass Syrup to add a unique and aromatic flavour profile, sure to impress at any festive gathering.Ingredients
Serves 1
1 oz (30 ml) Beefeater London Dry Gin
½ oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
½ oz (15 ml) Cinnamon Lemongrass Syrup*
Cinzano Prosecco, to top
lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice and Cinnamon Lemongrass Syrup. Add ice and shake for 5 to 7 seconds. Pour into a flute glass, top with Prosecco and garnish with a lemon twist.
- *To make Cinnamon Lemongrass Syrup, in a saucepan, combine 1 cup (250 ml) water and 1 stick cinnamon (and ½ tsp/2.5 ml red pepper chili flakes, if you dare). Bring to a boil and continue boiling until volume is reduced by half. Remove from heat and add ½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar and 2-in (5 cm) piece lemongrass, chopped. Stir to dissolve sugar. Cool to room temperature, then remove solids and store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Makes enough for 10 to 12 cocktails.
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Monte Carlo
A lesser-known classic is the Monte Carlo, which uses liqueur as the sweetener instead of sugar. The 27 botanicals in Bénédictine B&B subtly enhance and elevate the core spirit Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye Canadian Whisky.Ingredients
Serves 1
2 oz (60 ml) Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye Canadian Whisky
½ oz (15 ml) Bénédictine B&B
2 dashes aromatic bitters
1 lemon peel, for garnish
Instructions
- Place an old-fashioned glass in the freezer for 5 minutes. In a mixing glass with cubed ice, combine rye, Bénédictine B&B and aromatic bitters. Stir to chill and dilute; then strain over cubed ice into chilled glass. Express lemon oils over the surface and garnish with peel.
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Martinez
The Martinez showcases intricate botanical notes of Tanqueray London Dry Gin complemented by the delicate essence of maraschino and the vibrant aroma of lemon peel.Ingredients
Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) Tanqueray London Dry Gin
1½ oz (45 ml) Martini Rosso Vermouth
¼ oz (7.5 ml) Luxardo Maraschino
2 dashes orange bitters
1 lemon peel, for garnish
Instructions
- Place a cocktail coupe in the freezer for 5 minutes. In a mixing glass with cubed ice, combine gin, vermouth, maraschino liqueur and orange bitters. Stir to chill and dilute; then strain into a chilled coupe. Express lemon oils over the surface and garnish with peel.
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Whisky Highball
The Whisky Highball in particular celebrates the featured spirit alongside premium sparkling water, highlighting its essence in a refreshing combination. For this cocktail, we recommend using Johnnie Walker 12-Year-Old Black Label Blended Scotch WhiskyIngredients
Serves 1
2 oz (60 ml) Johnnie Walker 12-Year-Old Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky
4 oz (120 ml) cold seltzer
1 lemon slice, for garnish
Instructions
- Place a highball glass in the freezer for 5 minutes. Pour whisky into glass, add 3 cubes of ice and top with premium sparkling water poured beside the ice. Garnish with lemon slice.
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Vampire Nectar
Driven by a profound and insatiable desire for blood, vampires savour this Halloween punch with bright raspberry and the rich complexity of Bacardi Spiced Rum.Ingredients
Serves 10
10 oz (300 ml) Bacardí Spiced Rum
8 oz (250 ml) Sour Puss Raspberry Liqueur
20 oz (600 ml) cranberry juice
2 oz (60 ml) grenadine
Instructions
- In a large container, stir all ingredients. Refrigerate to chill for 3 to 5 hours. When ready to serve, chill coupe glasses in freezer for 5 minutes. Transfer punch to a pitcher. For each serving, pour 4 oz (120 ml) neat into chilled coupe.