Even though they don’t enjoy international recognition, Canadian cocktails are in a league of their own. By infusing intricate ingredients with Canadian ingenuity, bartenders all around Canada have created masterpieces. Multi-cultured and unapologetically refined, these drinks embody everything that makes us proud to be Canadian. Even though these mixtures are unexpected, their taste is undeniable. Instead of sticking to tradition, Canadian cocktails go out of their way to break the rules. These intricate drinks routinely win over both tourists and locals at bars around the country.
Even when faced with fierce competition from more notorious mixtures, Canadian cocktails manage to stand out. Visitors are routinely surprised, since every major city in Canada has their own special cocktail. This staggering variety paves the way for mixologists to constantly discover new cocktails to indulge in when traveling through Canada.
The amount of options is overwhelming, which is also why many quality cocktails get overlooked. To help our readers get acquainted with some of Canada’s most intoxicating offerings, we compiled a list of Canadian cocktails. These drinks are too delightful to ignore, since they highlight the beauty of Canadian cuisine. These drinks are impossible to find outside Canada, so treat your taste buds at a local bar!
Top Canadian Cocktails
Cocktail #3: Winnie the Pooh – Hailing from Winnipeg, this drink is a favorite amongst patrons. It combines Crown Royal with red wine in a gorgeous double layered presentation. To make it even more exotic, some bartenders throw in local Manitoba honey. This gives it a complex taste that’s just as unforgettable as its presentation.
To make this cocktail even more appealing, its extremely easy to prepare. Dry shake 2 oz. Crown Royal Cask 16, 1 oz. honey syrup, ¾ oz. lemon juice and an egg white. Then shake the mixture with ice and double strain it into a glass. From there float half an ounce of red wine and garnish with a cube of raw honeycomb. This mixture is absolutely delightful, so don’t hesitate to order it in Winnipeg!
Cocktail #2: Into the Fir – Alta Bistro has managed to create a cocktail that can only be found in Whistler, B.C. At this bar, foraging for pine needles is part of the job. By trimming the tips of Douglas fir trees, foragers get access to amazing flavors. Some pine needles smell tropical while others are sport a spicy tang with hints of grapefruit. Each batch is unique, but they all go into making Douglas fir syrup. Using this epic blend, bartenders at Alta Bistro create a cocktail that’s become a local hit.
Sporting an undeniably unique flavor, Into the Fir is Alta Bistro’s most notorious cocktail. It contains 2 oz. of Schramm gin, which is made out of a local potato spirit and foraged botanicals. All this is shaken with fresh lemon juice, yellow Chartreuse and an egg white. After it’s double strained, the mixture is served in a chilled glass and garnished with a candied Douglas fir tip. It doesn’t get more natural than this, so treat your senses with this wild drink!
Cocktail #1: Maple Manhattan – This drink puts a Canadian twist on an internationally recognized classic. The Maple Manhattan is so patriotic that it has been adopted as the official drink of Toronto. By combining 2 ounces of Alberta Premium Dark Horse Whisky with 5 ounces of maple syrup, this drink becomes undeniable. Treat yourself to the cocktail that represents Toronto’s cultural melting pot!