Mixing it up in Toronto: holiday cocktail edition

by Patricia Noonan

It's great to check out bars, restaurants, and clubs for cocktails, but come the holiday season, it’s always nice to bring the party home. Here's a selection of tips and tools for your seasonal soiree. The best parties are the simplest in terms of what to offer. Simon Hooper, Luxury Brand Ambassador for Diageo Canada, suggests keeping your drink selection simple. Along with beer, a white and red wine, just choose two or three different cocktails so that you can enjoy the party too. It's a good idea to make a pitcher cocktail and one or two other specialty drinks. I tasted a selection of cocktails Hooper curated for the holidays, and my picks are the Captain Morgan Spiced Cider, and the Smirnoff Tandoori Caesar. Remember to stock non-alcoholic beverages too! [Photo courtesy of Diageo Canada]

Captain Morgan Spiced Cider

• 1.25 oz. Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
•  6 oz. Apple Cider

Add Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum and apple cider together. Serve cold over ice or hot in mug. You can just make this in a pitcher for ease of service. If you would like it hot, try a crockpot and make sure you have cinnamon swizzle sticks.

Smirnoff Tandoori Caesar

• 1.5 oz. Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
• 5 oz. Motts Clamato juice
• Dash each of Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce
• Dash of Tandoori Paste
• Garnish: Sliced radish, Masala spice

Rim glass with garam masala spice. In a mixing glass, combine Smirnoff No. 21, add clamato juice, Worcestershire, hot sauce and tandoori paste. Stir well and strain over ice, garnish with radish.

Your home bar should have some basic items; a shot glass for measuring, a cocktail shaker with a strainer, a long handled stirring spoon and ice bucket with tongs. A good spot to find cool bar accessories is BYOB Cocktail Emporium.

You can also order your wine, beer and spirits by a delivery service to take the stress out of your day. Always Dial a Bottle Toronto can get everything you need in about an hour.

If washing up after isn’t part of the plan, rent your glassware. Then you just send all the used glassware back to the rental service for them to take care of. Check out Event Rental Group.

It's the holiday season, so add some color and pizzaz. Get unique decor items and holiday decorations at these local stores: Kendall & Co, The Paper Place, Spruce and Scout.

Cheers!