Category Archives: Themes

Ballylickey Belt

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Ballylickey BeltBallylickey Belt

It is the time of year when it seems everyone celebrates St. Patrick’s Day. Who can blame us? It is just so much fun. If you have moved on from the green beer and drinks chosen only for their green colour, try this one for an upgrade in sophistication. The Ballylickey Belt is a medley of honey, bubbly water, zest of lemon, and subtle toffee blended scotch whisky. Raise your glass and toast “sláinte!” Happy St. Patty’s Day!

Ingredients

2 oz (60 ml) Famous Grouse Blended Scotch whisky

¾ tsp (4 ml) honey

Splash of water

Sparkling water

Lemon twist for garnish

Method

In a short rocks glass, add honey and a splash of water. Stir to dissolve honey into the water. Add ice, Famous Grouse whisky and top with sparkling water. Give a brief, gentle stir. Twist lemon peel over the glass, rub around the rim and drop into drink.

Tips

Substitute San Pellegrino Lemon flavour sparkling water for regular sparkling water to add even more citrus flavours.

If making more that one, plan ahead and create a honey syrup by combining honey into equal parts warm water.

Astronaut

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AstronautAstronaut

Space has long captured our imagination and has been a driving force in bringing the world together. That combination has helped lead to the International Space Station and its first Canadian commander, astronaut Chris Hadfield. In honour of the spirit of collaboration, this week’s feature is a mix of Canadian prairie wheat vodka, sugar cane rum, zesty lemon, and sweet passion fruit. So shake up this cocktail, lie back and relax staring at the stars.

Ingredients

½ oz Banff Ice Vodka

½ oz white rum

½ oz lemon juice

dash of passion fruit juice

Garnish with a lemon wedge

Method

Pour all ingredients into a shaker glass and shake well. Strain in a small glass with new ice. Place lemon wedge garnish.

Extra

Hadfield is bringing the experience of being an astronaut to us all. Follow Chris Hadfield on Twitter @Cmdr_Hadfield

Bahama Mama

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Bahama Mama

Bahama Mama

Escape winter’s cold-weather woes with a tropical-themed party. It’s a great way to take a break from reality. At the very least, treat your tastebuds to a tropical escape with the Bahama Mama. The combination of aged rum, coconut, orange and sweet pineapple is balanced by sour lemon to create a fruity rum concoction like no other. So turn up the heat, put on your favourite summer shirt and let the vacation in a glass begin.

Ingredients

1 oz Brugal Anjeo Rum

1 oz Cruzan Coconut Rum

2 oz Orange Juice

2 oz Pineapple Juice

½ oz Lemon Juice

Splash of Grenadine

Garnish with an orange and cherry (optional)

Method

In a shaker with ice, add all ingredients. Shake and pour into a tall glass. Garnish and enjoy.

Tips

If you don’t have coconut rum, use white rum and add coconut syrup.

Shaking ensures all the ingredients are mixed together well and creates a nice frothy texture because of the fruit juices.

Shooting Star Martini

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Shooting Star martini 2

Shooting Star

This elegant martini is sure to brighten the holidays. The Shooting Star martini is a mix of fresh raspberries, citrus lime, tart cranberry, aromatic bitters and smooth, oak-aged Canadian whisky. Its taste is rivalled only by it’s festive appearance.

Let the Shooting Star martini guide you to a very merry Christmas!

Ingredients

1 oz Canadian Club Whisky

1/3 oz lime juice

6 raspberries

Splash of cranberry juice

Dash of Angostura Bitters

Starfruit slice for garnish (optional)

Method

Start by placing ice in a martini glass to chill while making the drink. In a shaker glass, muddle the raspberries and fill with ice.

Add remaining ingredients and shake until well mixed. Discard the ice from the martini glass and strain the shaken ingredients into the now chilled martini glass. Place the slice of starfruit on the rim for garnish.

Tips

If starfruit is not available, placing three raspberries on a pick is a nice option.

You may double strain the shaken ingredients to remove the seeds from the martini if you prefer.

Christmas Punch

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Christmas Punch

It’s here, it’s here! The time of year that is filled with cheer. The holiday season is upon us and with it, gatherings of friends and family. To impress your guests, serve some Christmas Punch made with black cherry bourbon, smooth aged rum, cherry liqueur, tart cranberry and a splash of ginger ale for fizz. Don’t forget the peppermint candy cane!

Ingredients

½ oz. Brugal Anejo Rum

½ oz. Jim Beam Red Stag

½ oz. Bols Cherry Brandy Liqueur

2 oz. cranberry juice

Splash of Gingerale

Garnish with a candy cane

Method

This is a shaken drink so start by pouring all the ingredients, except for the ginger ale, into a shaker filled with ice. Shake until all ingredients are chilled and well mixed. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Top with ginger ale and place a candy cane in the drink resting the hook on the rim.

Tips

This drink is quick to make. However, if having a large number of guests to accommodate, serve in a large punch bowl. To accomplish this, multiply the recipe by the amount of drinks you anticipate will be consumed. Pour into a large punch bowl and stir briskly to ensure well mixed. Just before guests arrived add several ice cubes and approximately ¼ ounce of ginger ale for every drink you anticipate. Garnish the rim of the punch bowl with small candy canes hanging from the rim.

Some tips for serving in the punch bowl are to leave the ice in a bucket on the side so the ice doesn’t melt into the punch, watering down the drink. Guests can add ice to their glass before filling with the punch. This can also be done with the ginger ale. Omit the ginger ale in the punch and leave a few cans unopened next to the punch bowl so guests can add a fresh splash to their drink as needed.

You can also freeze cranberry juice into ice cubes. Use half the amount of cranberry juice needed in your punch. Let the cranberry ice cubes chill the punch and, as they melt, add more cranberry flavour.