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.
Featuring
Limoncello Blueberry Tiramisu with Candied Rosemary
Once summer arrives, the desire to spend time in the kitchen tends to wane and we look for fresh recipes that can be whipped up in a jiffy. This limoncello blueberry tiramisu is perfect for such an occasion. With just a few ingredients, you will have a dessert with next to no effort yet packed with flavour. Feel free to shake things up by replacing the blueberries with strawberries, raspberries or blackberries, or even the ladyfingers with amaretti cookies. The Candied Rosemary is optional but takes this dessert from simply delicious to stunning. This dessert pairs beautifully with Steller's Jay Brut.Ingredients
Serves 4
13 oz (370 g) fresh blueberries, plus more for garnish
½ cup + 2 tbsp (155 ml) icing sugar, divided
3 tbsp (45 ml) fresh lemon juice, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) finely grated lemon zest
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
¼ cup + 2 tbsp (90 ml) Luxardo Limoncello, divided
⅔ cup (160 ml) whipping cream
1 tbsp (15 ml) powdered milk (optional)
⅓ lb (150 g) mascarpone
4 ladyfingers, each cut in half
Candied Rosemary leaves, for garnish, make ahead, recipe follows
Instructions
- Start by making a blueberry coulis. In a small saucepan, stir blueberries, ½ cup (125 ml) icing sugar and 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice. Set over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Simmer until blueberries have broken down and mixture is glossy, about 5 minutes. Transfer blueberry coulis to a bowl and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until cool. Blueberry coulis can be made up to 2 days ahead.
- In a small saucepan, stir remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice, lemon zest and granulated sugar. Set saucepan over medium heat and warm mixture, stirring constantly, until sugar has dissolved. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in ¼ cup (60 ml) limoncello. Transfer lemon syrup to a medium bowl and set aside to cool to room temperature. Lemon syrup can be made ahead and kept in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- In a medium bowl, whisk whipping cream and powdered milk (if using) until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, combine mascarpone, remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) icing sugar and remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) limoncello. Whisk on medium speed until well combined and slightly aerated, about 2 minutes. Fold in whipped cream with a rubber spatula until incorporated completely.
- To assemble, place a generous spoonful of blueberry coulis in bottom of each of 4 serving glasses. Top with a good dollop of lemon mascarpone cream before dipping half the ladyfingers in lemon syrup and placing on top of cream. Repeat, creating another layer with more blueberry coulis, mascarpone cream and syrup-dipped ladyfingers. Garnish with another dollop of mascarpone cream, a drizzle of coulis, some fresh blueberries and Candied Rosemary leaves.
Drink Pairings
Mountain Berry
Crafted from majestic mountain inspiration, this vibrant cocktail harmonizes nature’s beautiful berries with the crisp allure of aromatic juniper in Long Table’s London Dry Gin, capturing the essence of alpine serenity.Ingredients
Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) Long Table London Dry Gin
1 oz (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
¾ oz (22 ml) blueberry or blackberry syrup
2 oz (60 ml) berry-flavoured sparkling water
fresh blueberries and blackberries, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice and berry syrup. Add cubed ice and shake vigorously. Fine strain over cubed ice in an old-fashioned glass. Top with berry-flavoured sparkling water and garnish with fresh berries.