Big-Batch Negroni

Justin Taylor’s big-batch Negroni. Dan Toulgoet photo

Free up your party time by bottling up these Negronis in advance of your next party. Once bottled and properly sealed, these will keep for about one month. 

• 2 cups gin
• 2 cups Campari
• 2 cups sweet vermouth
• 2 cups water

Combine ingredients in a large pitcher. Stir, pour into small bottles, seal, label and refrigerate or stash in ice.

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Sangria Rosé

Justin Taylor’s Sangria Rosé. Dan Toulgoet photo

Mix up this rosé-based sangria recipe ahead of your next outdoor gathering. 

• 3 cups dry rosé wine
• 0.5 cup brandy
• 0.5 cup Okanagan Spirits rhubarb liqueur
• 2 cups white cranberry juice
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1 mango, peeled, pitted and cubed
• 2 cups soda water

In a large container such as a gallon-sized glass jar, combine all ingredients except soda water. Seal container and refrigerate for 12 hours or overnight. Remove fruit, place in ice moulds or freezer bags and freeze.

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Bartender in a bottle

Raise a glass to the supporting cast of B.C.’s cocktail scene—local craft syrups, sodas, tonics and other mixers

Odd Society Spirits joins the craft soda trend with its zingy housemade ginger beer. RD Cane photo

Forget the genie. Professional bartending expertise is captured in each bottle, can and jar of these B.C.-born cocktail mixers, which are often natural and preservative-free, too. To let loose your cocktail creativity, just add craft spirits.

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French 75 Royale

Justin Taylor’s French 75 Royale. Dan Toulgoet photo.

This lilac beauty is a perfect addition to your next garden party.

• 2 cups Victoria Spirits Empress Gin
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 0.75 cup lavender syrup (see note)
• 1.5 tsp orange bitters
• 4 cups dry sparkling wine

Combine ingredients in a large pitcher. Stir gently, then bottle, seal and refrigerate or stash in ice.

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Rule Britannia!

These British cocktails are worthy of a royal celebration

Istock photo

Wedding bells will be ringing this spring at Windsor Castle and you are going to need some cocktails to celebrate, too. With this as inspiration, let’s take a glance at some iconic British tipples and learn how to make them.

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Gins & Roses

Justin Taylor’s Gins & Roses. Jennifer Gauthier photo

This British-inspired cocktail was created in 2017 by Justin Taylor, in Vancouver.

• 1 oz Odd Society Wallflower Gin
• 1 oz sloe gin
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.25 oz honey syrup (see note)
• 0.75 oz pasteurized egg whites
• 3 dashes Bittered Sling Kensington Bitters
• 3 drops rose water

Chill a coupe glass with ice. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Fine strain cocktail into the chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with dehydrated rose petals. Serves 1.

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Bramble

Bramble. Jennifer Gauthier photo

This classic cocktail was created in 1984 by Dick Bradsell, in London. 

• 1.5 oz London Dry gin
• 0.75 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup (see note)
• 0.5 oz Okanagan Spirits Blackberry Liqueur

Combine gin, lemon and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain over fresh ice in a double old-fashioned glass. Cap cocktail with crushed ice. Drizzle blackberry liqueur over the top of the cocktail. Garnish with fresh organic blackberries. Serves 1.

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Corpse Reviver #2

Corpse Reviver #2. Jennifer Gauthier photo

This classic cocktail was created by Harry Craddock, 1930, in London.

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz Cointreau
• 1 oz Cocchi Americano
• 1 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1 dash Taboo Absinthe

Chill a Nick & Nora glass with ice. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Fine strain cocktail into the chilled cocktail glass. Serves 1.

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Hanky Panky

The Hanky Panky. Jennifer Gauthier photo

This classic cocktail was created by Ada Coleman, circa 1903, London. 

• 1 oz Beefeater London Dry Gin
• 1 oz Cocchi Vermouth di Torino (or other sweet vermouth)
• 2 dashes Fernet Branca

Chill a coupe glass with water and ice. In a mixing glass, add ingredients with ice and stir gently for about 20 seconds. Strain into the coupe and garnish with a slice of orange peel. Serves 1.

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The secret ingredient to a knockout party punch

When life gives you lemons, add finesse to your festive fizz with oleo saccharum

All you need to make oleo saccharum, the secret ingredient that will take Champagne punch and other cocktails from merely good to simply extraordinary. Photo: Joanne Sasvari
All you need to make oleo saccharum, the secret ingredient that will take Champagne punch and other cocktails from merely good to simply extraordinary. Photo: Joanne Sasvari

The holiday season cries out for festive bubbles, for brunch-time mimosas and kir royales, for corks flying at midnight, for French 75s and Champagne cocktails just about any time.

But of all the bubbly concoctions, there is no more festive fizz than a grand Champagne punch.

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