All posts tagged with: cocktail

Happy Mother’s Day! This special, unofficial holiday, has been celebrated for thousands of years. In fact, Mother’s Day has been celebrated since the days of the Greek Empire. Mother’s Day, as we know it today, is a North American tradition that started in 1908, when Anna Jarvis of West Virginia, created a memorial for her mother in her spring garden. It was until the 1920’s that celebrating Mother’s Day became more of a commercialized day, which we know today. Mother’s Day is also celebrated around the world, typically anywhere from February through November.

In Canada, Mother’s Day is typically celebrated by giving small gifts to mothers, grandmothers, or other important females, followed by brunch. In Quebec, it’s common to give roses. In honour to our friends in Quebec, this year’s Mother’s Day cocktail of the week is The Rose, to celebrate the traditions our fellow French Canadians! This cocktail is mad with Okanagan Spirits raspberry liqueur, which is made in Vernon, B.C., where my mom lives! Coincidence? I’ll let you decide.

Bonne fête des mamans!

• 2 oz Vermouth
• 1 oz Kirsch
• 1 Tsp Okanagan Spirits Raspberry Liqueur

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake for 20 seconds, until the shaker begins to frost. Pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

In the 1880’s, Colonel Joe Rickey was a Democratic lobbyist in Washington, D.C., who spent many hours at Shoomaker’s bar, entertaining politicians over cocktails. Joe’s drink of choice was a simple mix of fresh squeezed lime juice, bourbon whiskey, and soda. A decade later, the highball would become a worldwide hit when it was mixed with other base spirits, predominantly gin, and being renamed The Gin Rickey.

In recent years classic cocktails have made a huge comeback and the Gin Rickey has become a favourite once again. The simple cocktail is easy to make and perfect for warm spring and summer weather. It’s also a perfect beverage to serve at cocktail and garden parties. It’s important to use a premium gin and fresh lime juice.

• 2 oz Gin
• Fresh Squeezed Lime
• Club Soda

Fill a cocktail glass with ice. Pour in gin. Squeeze in fresh lime juice. Top with club soda. Give a quick and gentle stir. Garnish with a lime wheel.

In honour of Vancouver’s largest plant sale on Sunday, April 28, it seems fitting to celebrate with a botanical-inspired cocktail. After all, you’ll probably need a drink after attending the VanDusen Botanical Garden’s annual plant sale. From 10am – 4pm there will be over 40,000 plants for sale starting at $2 each, and will attract over 10,000 people! It’s truly green-thumb madness! It’s free to attend, so why not go and check it out.

Back to the Cocktail of the Week feature… In the 18^th century, Sir Hans Sloane was a leading botanist and plant collectors in London. The professor introduced England to drinking chocolate and made significant contributions to the founding of the British Museum. On top of all these achievements, he was enjoyed a good drink. Sloane Square Bar in London English, has honoured the influential nobleman by creating a tasty cocktail, and respecting his love of nature. The Sir Hans Sloane Botanist is a refreshing cocktail perfect for enjoying on a spring day.

• ¾” Slice of English Cucumber
• 6 Fresh Mint Leaves
• 2 oz Gin
• ½ oz Apple Juice
• ½ oz Elderflower Cordial

Dice cucumber, then muddle in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Fill the cocktail shaker half full of ice. Add remaining ingredients. Stir until mixed. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Absinthe, also known as The Green Fairy, is made from botanicals, including the distinctive green anise, sweet fennel, and the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium. Traditionally Absinthe is green in colour from the anise, but it’s not unusual to come across colourless varieties of the spirit, depending on the producer.

“My favourite new cocktail is made with champagne and absinthe,” says gay porn star, Dominic Pacificio.

“[Absinthe] is now legal in the United States,” Dominic explained. The United States, along with many parts of Europe banned the spirit, making it illegal to produce or distribute. By the 1990’s, the high alcohol by volume (ABV), spirit, started to see a return to the market as laws were updated and bans were lifted. Today, over 200 brands product Absinthe around the world.

Death in the Afternoon (also known as Hemingway Champagne), has become one of Dominic’s favourite new cocktails.

“It’s a great new beverage to experience,” Dominic said. “It’s not just about the alcohol; it’s about the effervescence. It’s about the kind of hypnosis it puts you under, if you will. It’s definitely an exotic drink and it’s an acquired taste, and it’s really good.”

Whethre you’re relaxing by the pool in the afternoon, or hanging out with friends at brunch, this cocktail makes a great alternative to the traditional mimosa.

“It’s a really cool drink to have on it’s own, or after dinner,” Dominic added.

• 1 oz Absinthe
• Champagne

Place a sugar cube in the bottom of a champagne flute, and add a few dashes of bitters. Add absinthe and then top with a quality ice-chilled champagne.

Happy Easter! For years, Cadbury Cream Eggs have been delighting kids and adults alike and have become a delicious Easter tradition. The gooey, cream centre filling is irresistible. If you thought that the original cream eggs were good, wait until you try these fantastic cocktails, honouring these fun Easter edibles.

• 1.5 oz Marshmallow Vodka 
• 1 oz Creme de Cacao
• 2 oz Whipped Cream
• Caramel

Pour vodka, creme de cacao and whipped cream into a martini shaker half full of ice. Shake hard for 20 seconds. Pour into a chilled martini glass rimmed with cocoa powder, and caramel in the bottom. Garnish with a carefully cut-in-half Cadbury cream egg, perched on a skewer.

Alternative: replace whipped cream with chocolate milk for extra chocolately indulgence.

Okanagan Spirits is the Okanagan’s largest micro-distillery. Located in Vernon, British Columbia, Okanagan Spirits produced premium spirits made from local ingredients, producing small batches of hand-crafted liquors.

While they produce a variety of products from gin, vodka, and schnapps, one of their top-selling items is Taboo Absinthe. The brew master uses traditional old-world recipes. It’s fantastic on it’s own, with a light mix of purified water, or mixed into a cocktail. Taboo is available in select liquor stores in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

• 1 oz Blue Curacao
• 1 oz Peach Schnapps
• 1 oz Vodka
• ½ oz Okanagan Spirits Taboo Absinthe
• ½ oz Lemonade
• ½ oz Orange Juice

Fill a martini shaker half full of ice. Pour in all ingredients. Shake for 20 seconds. Pour into a chilled martini shaker.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! May the luck of the Irish be with you. Many celebrations will be taking placing including parades, festivals, and Irish-themed parties. The more common drinks for the occasion are scotch, Irish whisky, and green-coloured beer. How about mixing things up? Literally. The St. Patrick’s Day martini combines the natural aromas of gin with the crispness of mint, and the calming notes from the bitters. It’s quick and easy to make. Remember, gin is delicate, so you’ll want to stir, not shake. Enjoy!

• 2 oz Gin
• 0.5 oz Green Crème de Menthe
• 2 dashes Bitters

Fill a martini shaker half full of ice. Pour in gin, crème de menthe, and bitters. Stir. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

LGBT advocate and Canadian blogger, Brian Webb, wears a pink shirt in support of Pink Shirt day 2013

On Wednesday, February 27, 2013, people across the world are encouraged to wear something pink to symbolize that society does not tolerate bullying.

Pink Shirt Day started after two Nova Scotia high school students, David Shepherd and Travis Price, got involved following a bullying event at school. The victim was a grade 9 student who wore a pink shirt on the first day of school. Throughout the day he was tormented, harassed and had homosexual slurs shouted at him throughout the day.

David and Travis decided to make a stand against. That evening they went to work asking everyone they knew in the school to wear a pink shirt the following day. They also purchased 50 pink tank tops. The following morning as students arrived at the school, David and Travis handed out the tank tops to all the boys thanked everyone for wearing their pink shirts to show support against bullying.

Bullying is an aggressive behavior that involved unwanted or negative actions. Bullying often involves a pattern of behavior, repeated over a period of time, in the forms of open attacks, physical assaults, verbal or written threats, and teasing.

The Facts:

• Every 7 minutes, someone is bullied on a playground in Canada
• 50% of students in Canada have reported being bullied
• 45% of students do not feel safe when they go to school
• 35% of employees have experienced bullying in their workplace

Pink Shirt Cocktail

Celebrate Pink Shirt Day with a non-alcoholic Pink Shirt Cocktail

It’s better to be friends instead of enemies. This weeks Cocktail of the Week is a special edition – a virgin cocktail for both kids and adults to enjoy! Mix up a batch of these and invite your friends, neighbours, and maybe even someone who might just need someone to talk to for a tasty treat.

• 2 oz Raspberry Juice
• 1 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
• 1 oz 100% Cranberry Juice

Fill a cocktail shaker half full of ice. Pour in juice. Shake until the shaker has begun to frost. Pour into a chilled martini glass rimmed with pink or red sugar crystals.

For an adult version, add 2 oz of vodka and replace raspberry juice with strawberry liqueur.

Canadian Club whisky and soda is a classic Canadian cocktail, going back before the Prohibition era in the United States.

Having been around for over 150 years, the Canadian distillery and whisky maker, Canadian Club, has played an important part in North American history. Not only has whisky been a staple in liquor cabinets for generations and been the basis of many classic cocktails, but Canadian Club is said to have a dark history during the American prohibition era.

Through the roaring 20’s and into the depression, the United States government believed a more orderly society with less crime could be achieved through the ban of making, transporting, and sale of liquor. Lasting from 1920 right through 1933, the Prohibition era was not popular with most Americans, especially amongst law-abiding citizens who considered the law unfair.

While some people ventured down the path of fashioning homemade stills, often with poor results. At the time of the American prohibition, liquor making and sales was completely legal. In the beginning, adventure-seekers near the Canada-US boarder began a profitable business bootlegging.

It wasn’t long until the mafia got involved. Located just across the boarder from Detroit was the Canadian Club distillery, which quickly became a favourite supplier of Chicago’s most notorious ganger’s, Al Capone.

An estimated 20,000 cases of Canadian Club Whisky were smuggled into the United Sates every month throughout the Prohibition ear. A $7 case of whisky easily translated into 10 times the price once sold on the black market.

When the Prohibition era came to an end in 1933, the liquor industry in the United States returned. In Canada, Canadian Club continued to produce top quality whisky. Now in business for over 150 years, Canadian Club has become on of Canada’s flagship brands, recognized and respected around the world.

Take a step back in time to the Prohibition era with a Real McCoy, a simple cocktail that adds a punch of fizz without covering up the flavour of the whisky.

• 1.5 oz Canadian Club 12 Year Old Whisky
• 2 oz Club Soda

Fill an Old Fashioned glass with fresh, clean ice. Pour in whisky and top with club soda. Stir. Garnish with maraschino cherries.

Contest

Enter for a chance to win a Canadian Club whisky prize package from mywebbsite.ca

Enter for a chance to win a deluxe Canadian Club gift basket. Prize package includes a 1.14L bottle of Canadian Club Small Batch Classic Aged 12 Years whisky, rock glasses, whisky stones, cocktail shaker, and whisky cocktail recipe cards. To enter, tweet:

I want to win a fabulous @CC_whisky prize package from @br_webb. http://ow.ly/hWsc2 #WinCanadianClub RT to enter.

Once you have tweeted this contest you can receive additional chances to win, by doing the following:

1. Subscribe to myWebbSite.ca and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you have subscribed for an additional entry.
2. Follow @br_webb on Twitter and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you are a new follower for an additional entry.
3. Leave a comment on this blog post describing your most memorable whisky experience.

Contest closes at 5:00pm PST, Wednesday, February 27, 2013. One random drawn winner will be announced on this blog post on or before Thursday, February 28, 2013. Must be 19 years or older and a resident of Canada to enter. Please read the complete contest rules.

- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

This contest is now closed.

Congratulations Arjun Rudra, you are the lucky winner of the Canadian Club whisky prize package.

Thank you to everyone who entered. Please keep watching for more contests coming soon.

From movie stars to rock stars, for decades, all the big names find their way to Hollywood. A district within the City of Los Angeles, Hollywood has been home to major television and recording studios. Thousands of people flock to the area to see the famous sights including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Capitol Record Building, the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, Paramount Pictures, the Roosevelt Hotel, and the ever popular Universal Studios.

On Friday, February 24, 2013, the 85^th Annual Academy Awards will be held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Perhaps this classic southern cocktail will be served to the many stars who will be walking across the red carpet that night.

• 1.5 oz Vodka
• Splash of fresh lime juice
• 0.5 oz Triple sec
• 1 oz Pineapple juice
• 1 oz Grapefruit Juice

Pour all ingredients into a martini shaker half filled with ice. Shake for 20 seconds, until the shaker begins to frost. Pour into a chilled martini glass.

Throughout the year kids are constantly fundraising for one thing or another; whether it be for a hockey tournament, a field trip for school, or for the local kids club for arts-and-crafts. The best of the fundraising treats are chocolate covered almonds. If you don’t have a box of them kicking around in the cupboard, this cocktail should get you through until the next time the neighbourhood kids come knocking on the door.

• 2 oz Whipped vodka
• 0.5 oz Amaretto
• 0.5 oz Crème de Cacao
• 1 Cream

Pour all four ingredients into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake for about 20 seconds, until the shaker begins to frost. Pour into a chilled martini glass that has been rimmed with coloured sprinkles.

Cinnamon hearts are the most popular confectionary treat for Valentine’s Day. The burst of hot, spicy flavor leaves the mouth watering for more. They make perfect decorations on handmade cupcakes, can be placed in little ziplock bags and snuck into a jacket pocket before work, or placed in a nice package with a bow and left on the pillow before bed. How ever you choose, they are hot and spicy!

The Cinnamon Heart-Tini is a fun drink of the candy treat. It’s rich red colour and cinnamon flavor will have you asking for more. It’s fast and easy to make.

• 1.5 oz Vodka
• 0.5 oz Goldschalger
• 0.5 oz Grenadine
• Club Soda

Fill a martini shaker half full of ice. Add vodka, Goldschalger and grenadine. Shake for 15-20 seconds. Pour into a cinnamon-sugar rommed martini glass. Add champagne. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Skip the silk boxer shorts and lingerie! This Valentine’s Day Kiss is silky-smooth and will warm your up in places… Well, it’s a lot of fun too, especially if you’re home alone and want in on a little Valentine’s Day action on your own.

Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year. Many couples celebrate with chocolates and long-stemmed red roses, and a romantic dinner for two. This drink is a perfect finish after a slice of rich, chocolate cake dessert. There are beautiful hints of chocolate, raspberry and cream.

However you celebrate, have fun and let your passion on!

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz Crème de Cacao
• ½ oz Chambord
• 1 oz Cream

Fill a cocktail shaker half full of ice. Pour in all of the ingredients and shake for 15-20 seconds. Pour into a chilled cocoa-sugar rimmed martini glass. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

A number of people have asked for a cocktail of the week featuring tequila. This cocktail comes from a loyal follower, AJ. He loves a bartender who can come up with creative, original, and unique cocktails.

This cocktail serves well with spicy Mexican fare or grilled seafood. The fresh lemon juice and ginger make this cocktail pop!

• 2 oz premium Tequila
• 2 tbsp Ginger Beer
• 1 tsp Thawed Cranberry Cocktail Concentrate
• 2 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
• Pinch of Fresh Ground Ginger

Fill a shaker half full of ice. All all ingredients. Lightly shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish wish a slice of crystallized ginger and fresh lemon zest.

Do you have a favourite cocktail or martini you’d like to see featured on myWebbSite.ca? Leave a comment on this blog post or send an email. It could appear on a future Friday!

In 1896, a second-generation Scottish whisky producer named Matthew Gloag created The Grouse Brand blend. By 1905, the whisky blend became so popular that it was renamed “The Famous Grouse” and a new label was created by Phillippa Gloag, featuring Scotland’s national game bird, the grouse.

The Gloag family had a long wine and whisky history, going back to his grandfather who, in 1842, supplied the wines for the royal banquet when Queen Victoria visited Perth. Today, The Famous Grouse is owned by Edrington, the same owners of Highland Park and The Macallan.

The Famous Grouse is the highest selling whisky in Scotland since 1980 and sells over two million cases (30 million bottles) annually in 100 different countries around the world. In 1984, The Famous Grouse received the prestigious Royal Warrant award. Today, The Famous Grouse proudly ranks as the sixth best-selling Scotch-whisky in the world.

This Robbie Burns Day, enjoy a taste of Scotland in this classic Scottish cocktail:

• 1 ¾ oz The Famous Grouse Scotch
• 1 oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
• ½ oz Simple Syrup
• Dash of Bitters
• ½ Egg White

Fill a martini shaker half full of ice. Add all five ingredients. Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds. Strain into a old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange peel.

For over 200 years, Scotland has been celebrating the life of their most famous poet, Robbie Burns. Born January 25, 1759 in Ayr, Scotland, the writer was a lively spirit who enjoyed life. Robbie Burns Day celebrations typically include a traditional Scottish meal, reading poems by the poet, and having a few tastes of Scottish whisky.

True scotch drinkers prefer to drink single or double-malted scotch straight and served neat. Occasionally it is acceptable to add a tiny bit of water. If scotch on it’s own isn’t your style, give this Scottish Sunset a try; it’s tropical and much lighter, with a hint of smokiness.

• 1 oz Famous Grouse Scotch
• 1 oz Coconut Rum
• ½ oz Orange Liqueur
• 4 oz Orange Juice
• 1 oz Grenadine

Pour Famous Grouse Scotch, rum, orange liqueur, and orange juice into a shaker half filled with ice. Stir. Pour into a highball glass, over ice. Add grenadine and garnish with a slice of each lemon and orange.

The best cocktails don’t always have to be complicated or fancy. In fact, may people enjoy the simple classics the most. Take the Rye and Ginger for example. It’s easy to make, can be seen as sophisticated in the right crowd, and once you’ve had one, you’ll find it’s hard to put down. The secret is to use a premium brand of Canadian rye whisky.

• 2 oz Canadian Rye Whisky
• 4-5 oz Ginger Ale

Pour whisky into a cocktail glass. Add 3-4 ice cubes. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with a slide of fresh lime.

There’s nothing better than a classic Hot Buttered Rum to warm you up deep inside on the long, cold, Canadian winter nights. Enjoy with homemade short bread or ginger cookies!

Here’s the perfect way to make this favourite winter drink:

• 2 oz Dark Rum
• 3 Sugar Cubes
• 1 tbsp Unsalted Butter
• Dash of Cinnamon
• Dash of Nutmeg
• Vanilla Extract
• 1 Cinnamon Stick

In a mug, dissolve the sugar in a little hot water. Add the rum and unsalted butter. Fill the mug with hot water and a few drops of vanilla. Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg on top, then garnish with a cinnamon stick.

The base of the drink can be made ahead of time, ideal for if you are wanting to prepare for a group of friends coming, or for a weekend winter getaway. Simply cream together butter, sugar, and spices, then store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. When your ready, place a spoon full into a mug, add rum, and fill with hot water.

It’s been a fun year sharing all kinds of cocktails and martinis as part of Cocktail of the Week. For the final week of 2012, it’s time to celebrate and go out with a bang! Today’s Cocktail of the Week drink features are dedicated to ringing in the new year, On Top! Make your New Years Eve extra special by making your New Years Eve party guests these fun drinks.

• 2 oz Pinnacle Whipped Vodka
• 1 oz Pink Grapefruit Juice
• 4 oz Orange Pop

Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in Pinnacle Whipped Vodka, pink grapefruit juice and then the orange pop. Garnish with an orange and cherry .

12 Drinks of Christmas – Day 12

Part of the enjoyment over the holiday season is entertaining friends and family. They love being surprised with special treats. With some simple preparation, this cocktail will certainly wow your guests and perhaps become a new holiday tradition.

• 1 Cup of Water
• ¾ Cup Sugar
• 2 Fresh Orange Peels
• 1 Cup Fresh Cranberries
• 1 Cup Canadian Whisky
• 8 Springs Fresh Mint

In a saucepan, heath water, sugar, orange peel and cranberries. Cook until cranberries being to pop. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate in sterile container until cold. Strain cranberry syrup through a sieve into a sterile container, discarding solids. Store in refrigerator for up to one week.

To make, add whisky to the syrup mix. Stir well. Fill six rock glasses with ice. Pour the chilled mixture into the glasses. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.