Toronto

Getty Images photo

The Toronto first appeared in print in 1922, replacing the Manhattan’s vermouth with the darker, more intensely herbaceous Fernet-Branca.

2 oz rye whisky (Canadian, of course)

0.25 oz Fernet-Branca

0.25 oz simple syrup

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Garnish: orange twist

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Graveyard Flip

The Graveyard Flip. Photo courtesy of Uva Wine & Cocktail Bar

Created by Wyeth Maiers, bar manager at UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar.

Meringue:
• 3 egg whites
• 1 oz crème de cassis

Cocktail:
• 0.75 oz Evan Williams bourbon
• 0.25 oz Fernet Branca
• 2 tsp Laphroaig 10 Year Old single malt whisky
• 0.75 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz maple syrup
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• 1 egg yolk
• Garnish: Grated chocolate, granulated sugar, (optional) brandied cherries

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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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Old Fashioned refashioned at Wildebeest

Cocktail-forward restaurant serving nine new takes on the classic for its fifth birthday

Four of the nine variations on the Old Fashioned on the menu at Wildebeest, which include versions made with rum, gin, tequila and bacon bourbon. Wildebeest photo

The Old Fashioned is, arguably, the original cocktail, or at least, the whisky version of it.

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Gerard

Justin Taylor’s Gerard. KK Law photo

This drink is perfect for sipping while you sit beside the fireplace on a leather couch and reminisce. 

INGREDIENTS:
1.5 oz (45 mL) Macallan Gold whisky
0.5 oz (15 mL) maraschino liqueur
0.25 oz (7 mL) Fernet Branca
3 dashes Bittered Sling Suius Cherry

METHOD:
Combine all ingredients and stir in a mixing glass with ice for 20 seconds. Strain mixture into an Old Fashioned glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a cherry. Serves 1.

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Hanky Panky

The classic Hanky Panky cocktail created by Ada Coleman, the head bartender at the London Savoy’s groundbreaking American Bar from 1903 to 1926. Joanne Sasvari photo

As bar manager of the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel in London, Ada Coleman created this simple, yet complex cocktail that is considered one of the great classics. Don’t be tempted to skip the orange peel garnish – it’s what magically ties all the flavours together

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Dad’s Hot Chocolate

Dad's Hot Chocolate
Dad’s Hot Chocolate by Justin Taylor. Danika Sea photo.

INGREDIENTS:
4 oz 70 per cent dark baking chocolate
3 tbsp cocoa powder
0.5 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
8 cups whole milk
1 cup Fernet Branca
0.5 cup peppermint liqueur
12 dashes Angostura Bitters
marshmallows or whipped cream for garnish (optional)
shaved tonka bean for garnish (optional)

METHOD:
Add chocolate, cocoa powder, milk, sugar and salt to a medium saucepan and heat gently, stirring constantly. As the mixture reaches a slow boil, remove from heat and add liquor. Pour into mugs and garnish with whipped cream or marshmallows, and shaved tonka bean. Makes 8 cups.

­—by Justin Taylor

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Van Isle Iced Tea

Van Isle Iced Tea—created by Brad Stanton and Robyn Gray, head bartenders at Prohibition—taps into several of the top cocktail trends of 2017. Viranlly Liemena photo (courtesy of Prohibition).

This drink – created by Robyn Gray and Brad Stanton, head bartenders at Prohibition in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia – taps into several of 2017’s cocktail trends: infusions, new white spirits, and mixing multiple spirits together. Note that you can purchase jars of hibiscus flowers in syrup at stores like Gourmet Warehouse, or make your own using the recipe below.

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