Cocktails before bubbly is twice as lovely.
It’s always fun to toast the New Year with a glass of champagne, but what about the preamble? Here are five festive cocktails to try from the city’s top bartenders (find more in our sister publication’s Recipe Finder).
The Slow SipperOaxaca Old Fashioned
Ingredients
1½ oz El Tesoro Reposado tequila½ oz Del Maguey San Luis Del Rio mezcal1 tsp agave nectar2 dashes angostura bitters1 orange twist, for garnish
Preparation
1. Stir all the ingredients over ice, then strain into a coupe.2. To garnish, flame the orange twist over the drink, then drop it in.
The RefresherCatalan G&T
By Shaun Layton, Juniper Kitchen & Bar
Ingredients
1½ oz Defender Island gin1 bottle tonic (Fever-Tree Mediterranean)Thyme, for garnishGrapefruit, for garnish
Preparation
Mix cocktail over ice and garnish with a sprig of thyme and a slice of grapefruit.
MORE: 8 Awesome Ways for Foodies to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Vancouver
The Old-TimerRamos Gin Fizz
By Grant Sceney, Fairmont Pacific Rim
Ingredients
2 oz Tanqueray 10 gin¾ oz lemon/lime juice (combined)¾ oz simple syrup½ oz cream¾ egg white2 dashes orange flower waterSoda water
Preparation
1. Combine all ingredients except soda water in a cocktail shaker (without ice)2. Shake to emulsify the egg white.3. Add ice and shake vigorously for an additional 2 minutes.4. Strain into a chilled Collins glass. Top with soda.
The Lip SmackerHorseradish Sour Cocktail
By Josh Pape, Wildebeest
Ingredients
2 oz London Dry Gin1 oz lemon juice½ oz runny honeyDash egg white1 barspoon of creamed horseradish
Preparation
1. Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker.2. Shake well with lots of ice and fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass.3. Garnish with cracked pepper along one edge.
The NightcapperTrue North
By Robyn Gray, Reflections: The Garden Terrace
Ingredients
20 ml Woodford bourbon20 ml Goslings rum20 ml BrancaMentaHot Chocolate
Preparation
1. Pour bourbon, rum and menthe into a special coffee mug. Mix well.2. Top with hot chocolate and whipped cream. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings.
