Prepare the lavender simple syrup by combining the dried lavender, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, and stir until sugar dissolves. Continue to simmer for one minute, and then remove from heat. Pour through a mesh strainer to remove the lavender pieces and set aside.
In a shaker filled halfway with ice, combine the gin, lemon juice, lavender simple syrup, and tonic water. Shake until chilled, and strain into glass. Garnish with lemon slices and lavender sprigs, if desired.
In a cocktail shaker, add 6 fresh blackberries and 5 small mint leaves. Muddle until the berries are completely macerated.
Add 2 oz anejo tequila, .5 oz agave syrup, .5 oz fresh lemon juice, and about 1/2 cup ice. Give it a good shake for about 20-30 seconds.
Strain into a glass that is full of crushed ice. Top off with 2 oz soda water. Give it a stir and garnish with blackberries, mint, and/or lemon wedges.
Whisk the eggs together until they are lighter in color and creamy. Mix in sugar, and stir to blend until all sugar is dissolved. Add in milk, heavy cream and vanilla. Stir to combine. Add in rum. Serve and sprinkle with nutmeg for garnish.
6 ounces hot, freshly brewed coffee (that’s ¾ cup of your favourite roast)
whipping cream for topping
INSTRUCTIONS Pour the whiskey and 1 teaspoon maple syrup into a heat-safe mug. Pour in a splash of the coffee and stir with a spoon until the maple syrup dissolves into the coffee.
Pour in the rest of the coffee. Taste, and stir in additional maple syrup if you would like a sweeter drink.
Top with whipped cream. If your whipped cream is lightly whipped (soft peaks), you may need to pour it slowly over a spoon so it floats on top. Serve while the drink is still warm!
Add 2 to 3 teaspoons Crème de Cassis to each flute. Drop in 3 to 4 raspberries. Fill each flute with sparkling wine. Serve immediately. For the best results, chill the sparkling wine until very cold. Placing the flute glasses into the freezer a few minutes before making them isn’t a bad idea either.
1 orange, sliced into rounds (peeled if you would like a less bitter drink)
8 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
2-4 Tbsp sugar, honey, or maple syrup to taste
1/4 cup brandy
optional garnishes: orange slices, extra cinnamon sticks, extra star anise
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all ingredients into a large saucepan on medium-high heat until it just barely reaches a simmer (avoid letting it bubble – you don’t want to boil off the alcohol). Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours. Use a fine mesh strainer to remove the orange slices, and mulling spices. Add in more sweetener if needed. Serve in heatproof mugs and top with your favourite garnishes.
Hot cocktails are almost criminally underused In bartending today. There’s no better time than now to try something new and keep warm by the fire at the same time. What are you waiting for?
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 ounces dark rum
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1 cup hot water
lemon wedge, cinnamon stick and star anise to garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Add the first 4 ingredients to a warmed Toddy mug and add garnishes of your choosing.
