Darkest before Dawn
Step through the gateway of savoury cocktails with this easy take on a classic Manhattan. With herby amaro and extra panache from the celery bitters, this cocktail will find its way into your regular rotation. Make this cocktail using Alberta Premium Canadian Rye Whisky, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth and Averna Amaro Siciliano.Ingredients
Serves 1
2 oz (60 ml) Alberta Premium Canadian Rye Whisky
½ oz (15 ml) Cinzano Rosso Vermouth
½ oz (15 ml) Averna Amaro Siciliano
2 dashes celery bitters
1 piece sea salt dark chocolate, for garnish
Instructions
- Place a coupe glass into freezer to chill. In a mixing glass, combine whisky, vermouth, amaro and bitters. Add ice and stir for 7 to 10 seconds. Strain into chilled coupe and garnish with a piece of sea salt dark chocolate.
Featuring
Café Latina
Try this approachable postdinner sipper as an alternative to the classic espresso martini. You can make this cocktail with Montenegro Amaro and Licor 43 Liqueur.Ingredients
Serves 1
1 oz (30 ml) Amaro Montenegro
1 oz (30 ml) Licor 43 Original
2 oz (60 ml) espresso*
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients and shake vigorously over ice. Fine strain into a coupette to remove any ice chips, and enjoy with gusto!
- * Fresh espresso is best here, but an intense cold brew will also work. For cold brew, combine 3½ oz (105 g) ground coffee and 2 cups (500 ml) cold water. Let steep in refrigerator overnight, then pass through a coffee strainer to remove solids.
Featuring
Queen Bee
This low-ABV, pollinator-friendly drink is a great alternative to a classic Garibaldi. It’s also highly versatile. Experiment with different local honeys to explore the range of your neighbourhood’s ecosystem. Make this cocktail with Campari.Ingredients
Serves 1
2 oz (60 ml) Campari
3 oz (90 ml) fresh grapefruit juice
1 oz (30 ml) Honey Syrup*
1 grapefruit twist, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine Campari, grapefruit juice and Honey Syrup. Fill with ice and shake for 10 to 20 seconds. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice, garnish with a grapefruit twist and serve.
- * To make Honey Syrup, combine equal parts (by weight) local honey and boiling water. Stir well to dissolve honey, then transfer to a clean glass bottle and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Featuring
Peach Soju Sour
This light and refreshing cocktail has a silky-smooth mouthfeel and candy-like qualities on the palate. The London dry gin adds some character to the drink, while the lemon juice balances out the sweetness. The Peach Soju Sour cocktail is made with Chum Churum Peach Soju and Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin.Ingredients
Serves 1
2 oz (60 ml) Chum Churum Peach Soju
1 oz (30 ml) Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin
¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice
¾ oz (22 ml) egg whites
½ oz (15 ml) Simple Syrup*
1 dehydrated lemon wheel, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine peach soju, gin, lemon juice, egg whites and Simple Syrup. Fill with ice and shake for 10 seconds. Fine strain into a coupe glass, place dehydrated lemon wheel on top and serve.
- * 1:1 ratio of granulated sugar dissolved in boiling water. Allow to cool before using.
Featuring
Taro Bubble Tea
Pulling inspiration from a bubble tea experience, this taro cocktail uses aged Flor de Caña 5-Year-Old Añejo Clásico Rum and Licor 43 to get classic vanilla notes. Coconut water and just a touch of lemon pull everything into balance.Ingredients
Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) Flor de Caña 5-Year-Old Añejo Clásico Rum
½ oz (15 ml) Licor 43 Original
1 oz (30 ml) Taro Tea Concentrate*
1 oz (30 ml) coconut water
¾ oz (22 ml) Simple Syrup**
¼ oz (7.5 ml) fresh lemon juice
cooked tapioca pearls***
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine rum, Licor 43, Taro Tea Concentrate, coconut water, Simple Syrup and lemon juice. Fill with ice and shake for 10 seconds. Fill a Collins glass with tapioca pearls and fresh ice, then fine strain shaker mixture into glass, insert a large straw and serve.
- * To make Taro Tea Concentrate, add one 0.9 oz (25 g) package taro flavour powder to ¼ cup (60 ml) hot water and stir until fully combined and smooth. Cool in refrigerator before using.
- ** 1:1 ratio of granulated sugar dissolved in boiling water. Allow to cool before using.
- *** In a large saucepan, bring 10 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup (250 ml) black tapioca pearls and cook until water comes back to a boil and tapioca pearls are floating. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, then turn off heat and let rest in saucepan for 30 minutes. Strain pearls and rinse under cold water. Return pearls to saucepan, add 1 cup (250 ml) brown sugar and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. Allow to cool before using.
Featuring
Devil's Margarita
This version of a classic lime margarita incorporates a red wine float for a striking visual element and a unique marriage of aromatics and flavours. Make this cocktail with Henkes Triple Sec, Casamigos Blanco Tequila and Mascota Eccentric Cabernet Sauvignon.Ingredients
Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) Casamigos Blanco Tequila
½ oz (15 ml) Henkes Triple Sec
¾ oz (22 ml) Simple Syrup*
¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lime juice
2 oz (60 ml) Eccentric Cabernet Sauvignon
1 large lime wedge, cut into 4 equal pieces and skewered, for garnish
1 Thai (bird’s eye) chili, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, triple sec, Simple Syrup and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake for 10 seconds. Fine strain into a short glass filled with fresh ice. For red wine float, gently rest head of a bar spoon on top of ice, then slowly and carefully pour wine onto bar spoon to layer it nicely into drink. Place lime skewer and chili on glass and serve.
- * 1:1 ratio of granulated sugar dissolved in boiling water. Allow to cool before using.
Featuring
Rice Paper Tiger Prawn Scoops
These visually stunning and equally delicious crispy scoops are easy to fold around a crunchy, Asian-inspired cabbage slaw and a plump, sweet prawn. Dressed with sriracha mayo and balsamic glaze, they deliver layers of texture and abundant flavour to delight anyone who bites into them. Enjoy these Rice Paper Tiger Prawn Scoops with Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc, Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé or Campari Negroni.Ingredients
Serves 16
3 tbsp (45 ml) rice vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
1½ tsp (7.5 ml) white pepper, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) mirin
1½ tsp (7.5 ml) salt, divided
4 tbsp (60 ml) mayonnaise, divided
2 cups (500 ml) thinly shredded cabbage
1 tbsp (15 ml) sriracha
2 tbsp (30 ml) rice flour
½ tsp (2.5 ml) garlic powder
½ tsp (2.5 ml) paprika
16 jumbo tiger prawns, shelled and deveined
½ cup (125 ml) vegetable oil, divided
2 sheets rice paper (about 8-in/20 cm diameter), each cut into 8 segments
2 to 3 tbsp (30 to 45 ml) balsamic glaze, to taste
Instructions
- In a large non-reactive bowl, combine rice vinegar, sesame oil, ½ tsp (2.5 ml) white pepper, mirin, ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt and 2 tbsp (30 ml) mayonnaise. Stir until smooth. Add shredded cabbage and mix well. Set aside. Can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to use, up to 1 day.
- In a small bowl, mix remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) mayonnaise and sriracha. Transfer to a squeeze bottle.
- In a large bowl, mix rice flour, garlic powder, paprika and remaining 1 tsp (5 ml) white pepper and 1 tsp (5 ml) salt. Add prawns and toss to coat.
- In a wok over high heat, heat ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil to about 350 F (175 C). Fry 1 cut segment of rice paper at a time. It should puff up and fry immediately into a white crisp. Using 2 large metal forks, metal tongs or metal chopsticks, carefully transfer fried rice paper to a plate lined with paper towel. Repeat with remaining rice paper segments, monitoring heat to avoid burning.
- To same wok, add remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil and fry coated prawns for 1 to 1½ minutes, then flip and fry for another 1 to 1½ minutes. Transfer to a second plate lined with paper towel.
- Before serving, add about 2 tbsp (30 ml) cabbage slaw to middle of each rice paper scoop. Top each with a fried prawn, drizzle with prepared sriracha mayo and balsamic glaze and garnish with julienned green onions.
Drink Pairings
Oat So Festive
Giving Canadian whisky and maple syrup a Caribbean touch, this dairy-free, nut-free, plant-based nog is sure to be a hit at any holiday party. This cocktail can be made with Forty Creek Barrel Select Niagara Whisky and González Byass Nutty Solera Medium Sherry.Ingredients
Serves 8
12 oz (375 ml) Forty Creek Barrel Select Niagara Whisky
4 oz (120 ml) González Byass Nutty Solera Medium Sherry
24 oz (720 ml) Oat So Festive Nog Base*
8 orange twists, for garnish
8 cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Instructions
- In a punch bowl, combine whisky, sherry and Oat So Festive Nog Base. Whisk, then ladle into stemmed wine goblets and garnish each with an orange twist and cinnamon stick.
- * To make Oat So Festive Nog Base, in a bowl, whisk 4 cups (1 L) oat milk and 2 tbsp (30 ml) cornstarch. In a saucepan, combine 15 whole green cardamom pods, ½ cracked fresh nutmeg and 2 cinnamon sticks and toast until fragrant. Slowly add oat milk mixture, ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup and 2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract. Heat, whisking constantly, until just below boiling point, then reduce heat and continue whisking until desired consistency, 2 to 3 minutes (nog will continue to thicken as it cools). Remove from heat, strain out solids and let cool before using.
Featuring
Twilight Offering
This deep jewel-toned sipper blends plum, cherry and a touch of smoke—elegant, earthy and made for offerings under fading autumn light. This cocktail features Maraska Šljivovica Plum Brandy, The Choya 23° Japanese Umeshu and Absolut Vodka.Ingredients
Serves 1
1 lime or lemon wedge, for rim
black salt, for rim
½ oz (15 ml) Maraska Šljivovica Plum Brandy
½ oz (15 ml) The Choya 23° Japanese Umeshu
1 oz (30 ml) Absolut Vodka
1 oz (30 ml) cherry juice
1 slice plum, for garnish
Instructions
- With lime or lemon wedge, moisten rim of coupe glass and dip in black salt. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine brandy, fruit liqueur, vodka and cherry juice. Shake until chilled and diluted. Double strain into rimmed coupe and garnish with plum slice.
Featuring
Cranberry Cheesecake Swirled Pumpkin Bars
Looking for a Friendsgiving dessert that is easy to share but still brings the wow factor? These plush, fudgy bars tick all the boxes. They are easy to transport with no fussy assembly or fragile crust, and their festive flavour makes them the perfect sweet finish after a big Thanksgiving meal. Serve this dessert with Lot No. 40 100% Rye Canadian Whisky or Forty Creek Butter Tart.Ingredients
Serves Makes 18 bars
1 cup (250 ml) unsalted butter
1 cup (250 ml) brown sugar
1⅓ cups (330 ml) granulated sugar, divided
⅔ cup (160 ml) pumpkin purée
1 tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract
2 large eggs, divided
2 cups (500 ml) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
½ tsp (2.5 ml) baking powder
½ tsp (2.5 ml) fine sea salt
1½ tsp (7.5 ml) ground cinnamon
1½ tsp (7.5 ml) ground cinnamon
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground ginger
1 × 8 oz (226 g) block cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup (250 ml) canned cranberry sauce, stirred
¼ cup (60 ml) ginger wine
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). Line a 9 × 13‑in (23 × 32.5 cm) baking pan with parchment.
- In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and 1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until butter and sugars have combined into a homogeneous, glossy mixture, about 8 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin purée, vanilla and 1 egg. Add butter-sugar mixture and stir to incorporate.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and ginger. Add to pumpkin mixture and fold in with a rubber spatula just until no streaks of flour mixture remain. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine cream cheese with remaining ⅓ cup (80 ml) granulated sugar and egg. Whisk with a fork until smooth. Set aside.
- In another medium bowl, stir cranberry sauce and ginger wine. Set aside.
- Drop big spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture on top of pumpkin batter, followed by large dollops of cranberry sauce mixture. Use a butter knife to make big, distinct swirls, taking care not to over-swirl batter.
- Transfer baking pan to oven and bake until edges are set and centre has puffed slightly but is still slightly gooey, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Let cool completely on a rack before removing from baking pan and slicing into 18 bars. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days.