Move Over Tom Collins
Celebrate the bounty of summer by sprucing up a classic Tom Collins with fresh local strawberries and a fruit-infused pink gin. Create this cocktail with Gordon's Premium Pink Gin.Ingredients
Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin
¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice
½ oz (15 ml) Honey Syrup*
5 oz (150 ml) soda water
fresh strawberries, sliced in half, for garnish
lemon wheels, for garnish
*2:1 ratio of honey and hot water, stirred until well combined. Allow to cool before using. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Instructions
- In a Collins glass, combine gin, lemon juice and Honey Syrup. Add ice, then top with soda water. Garnish with strawberry slices and lemon wheels, expressing lemon oils into drink for added freshness.
Featuring
Peach Mustard Cedar Plank Pork Tenderloin
Here’s a low-maintenance recipe that’s full of flavour! Make sure to use a thermometer to ensure your pork is cooked but still juicy. Serve with Hard T Peach Vodka Iced Tea or Dead Frog Peach Lemonade Sour.Ingredients
Serves 4
1¼ tsp (6 ml) salt, divided |2 tsp (10 ml) brown sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp (5 ml) garlic powder
1 tsp (5 ml) onion powder
½ tsp (2.5 ml) smoked paprika
¼ tsp (1 ml) cayenne pepper
1 lb (450 g) pork tenderloin, trimmed
1 tbsp (15 ml) neutral-flavoured oil
½ cup (125 ml) peach preserves
2 tbsp (30 ml) wholegrain Dijon mustard
1 tsp (5 ml) balsamic vinegar
¼ cup (60 ml) chopped peaches
fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Submerge a food-safe cedar plank in water, weighed down with a heavy bowl, and soak for 1½ to 2 hours. |In a small bowl, mix 1 tsp (5 ml) salt, sugar, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and cayenne. Sprinkle evenly over pork tenderloin. Let sit for 30 minutes, then coat with oil.
- Preheat barbecue grill to high.
- Place cedar plank on 1 side of barbecue. Heat for 5 minutes. Place pork on plank and cook, barbecue lid closed, for 10 minutes. Turn heat to low on side with plank and to medium on other side, and continue cooking until pork reaches an internal temperature of 130 F (54 C), about 20 minutes.
- While pork is cooking, in a saucepan, combine peach preserves, remaining ¼ tsp (1 ml) salt, Dijon and vinegar. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Spread half of peach mixture over pork, close barbecue lid and continue cooking until pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 F (63 C). Add chopped peaches to remaining peach preserve mixture and keep warm.
- Remove pork from barbecue and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Place slices on a serving platter and pour remaining peach mixture overtop. Serve with a green salad.
Drink Pairings
Backyard Escapades
Fresh basil and pineapple juice bring a new layer of complexity and an herbaceous, tropical twist to your patio sipper.Ingredients
Serves
4 to 5 leaves fresh basil, plus more for garnish
1½ oz (45 ml) Tanqueray London Dry Gin
2 oz (60 ml) fresh pineapple juice
½ oz (15 ml) fresh lime juice
⅓ oz (10 ml) Simple Syrup*
soda, to top
1 wedge pineapple, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle basil leaves. Add gin, pineapple juice, lime juice and Simple Syrup, then add ice and shake for 5 to 7 seconds. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice and top with soda. Garnish with pineapple wedge and basil leaves.
- * 1:1 ratio of granulated sugar dissolved in boiling water. Allow to cool before using.
Featuring
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.
Featuring
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.
Featuring
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.
Featuring
Swamp Water Punch
Not all swamp water is created equal. Try this botanically spiced, bright and tropical combination of Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin, citrus, lychee and ginger.Ingredients
Serves 10
15 oz (450 ml) Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin
2½ oz (75 ml) Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur
2½ oz (75 ml) fresh lemon juice
10 oz (300 ml) fresh orange juice
10 oz (300 ml) lychee nectar (from can)
10 oz (300 ml) ginger beer
lychees stuffed with blueberries, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large container, gently stir gin, blue curaçao, lemon juice, orange juice and lychee nectar. Refrigerate to chill for 3 to 5 hours. When ready to serve, transfer to a beverage dispenser, top with ginger beer, add cubed ice and garnish with lychee eyeballs. For each serving, dispense 5 oz (150 ml) into a small glass and garnish with a few lychee eyeballs.
- **Dry ice was used for visual purposes. Always use safe-handling practices when working with dry ice. Never handle dry ice with bare hands and do not add dry ice to a glass you are directly consuming from.
Featuring
Sunset in Goa
Embracing sunset hues, this gin cocktail blends turmeric, cardamom and mandarin orange peel with vermouth and orange blossom water for a vibrant, aromatic delight.Ingredients
Serves 1
1 pod cardamom
1½ oz (45 ml) Bombay Sapphire Sunset Gin
1 oz (30 ml) Martini Rosso Vermouth
2 drops orange blossom water
1 oz (30 ml) fresh orange juice, chilled
orange peel, for garnish
Instructions
- Place a martini glass in freezer for 5 minutes. In a mixing glass, gently crack open cardamom pod with a muddler, then combine with gin, vermouth and orange blossom water. Add cubed ice and stir to chill and dilute, then strain into chilled martini glass. Slowly and carefully, pour chilled orange juice into martini glass, sending it to bottom of glass and creating a sunset-layered look. Garnish with an orange peel.
Featuring
Cucumber Mule
Refreshing and vibrant, this cucumber mule gin cocktail combines crisp cucumber, zesty lemon, delicate jasmine and spicy ginger for a harmonious burst of flavour.Ingredients
Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) Victoria Distillers Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice
¾ oz (22 ml) Jasmine Green Tea Cordial*
3 oz (90 ml) ginger beer
cucumber slices, for garnish
fresh mint tip, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker with cubed ice, combine gin, lemon juice and Jasmine Green Tea Cordial. Shake vigorously and pour over crushed ice in a copper mule cup or similar glass. Top with ginger beer, gently stir to combine and garnish with cucumber slices and mint.
- * To make Jasmine Green Tea Cordial, pour 10 oz (300 ml) boiling water over 2 jasmine green tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup (250 ml) steeped tea with 1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar and simmer to dissolve. Transfer to a clean bottle and allow to cool, then seal and refrigerate for up to 4 weeks. Makes 14 oz (400 ml).
Featuring
Song & Dance
Echoing the Grand Cabaret’s stone fruit chorus, this cocktail stars Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret Gin, cherries, peaches and apricots, accompanied by a delightful almond accent and crisp lemon. Watch the cocktail on YouTube.Ingredients
Serves 1
5 cherries, fresh or frozen (save 1 for garnish)
1 egg white
1½ oz (45 ml) Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret Gin
½ oz (15 ml) orgeat (almond syrup)*
¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Place a cocktail coupe in freezer for 5 minutes. In a cocktail shaker, muddle 4 cherries, then combine with egg white, gin, orgeat and lemon juice. Shake without ice to emulsify ingredients, then add cubed ice and shake vigorously. Fine strain into chilled coupe and garnish with a cherry.
- * Available at specialty stores.