Gimlet
Singapore Sling
The Singapore Sling is the king of tropical cocktails. It was created at Raffles Hotel in 1915, but its heyday was arguably in the 1950s and ’60s. Forget the overly sweet versions you may have encountered; the original is complex and refreshing, perfect for a sultry tropical day.
Bathtub Gin
This refreshing, pretty-in-pink summer sipper by Elsa Taylor has been the most popular cocktail at Winnipeg’s The Roost since it opened in 2015.
Yummy umami: Global savoury spirits to try
Look for these savoury spirits on your travels
If you like seaweed-kissed Sheringham Seaside and Isle of Harris gins, try maritime-inspired U.K. bottles like Bullard’s Coastal Gin, Fishers Gin, Da Mhile Organic Seaweed Gin and Mermaid Salt Vodka, as well as North Vancouver’s Copperpenny Gin No. 006 Oyster Shell (a collaboration with Fanny Bay Oysters).
Pink & Pretty
The cocktail you need for all the season’s celebrations, from Trevor Kallies at Freehouse Collective.
Dirty Martini
A savoury variation on the classic
2.5 oz gin or vodka
0.5 oz dry vermouth
0.25 to 0.5 oz olive brine
Garnish: 1 or 3 olives on a skewer
The Vesper
Recipe courtesy of Zack Lavoie, Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar.
1.5 oz Botanist gin
0.75 oz Belvedere vodka
0.25 oz Cocchi Americano Bianco
Garnish: lemon twist
Rosemary Bee’s Knees
2 oz London Dry-style gin
1 oz lemon juice
1 oz honey syrup (see note)
1 small rosemary sprig
Garnish: charred rosemary sprig
The Arbutus Cove
A cocktail with locally sourced ingredients created by Nic VanBergen for Eliza at the Naramata Inn.
• 1 oz Arbutus Distillery Blue Gin
• 0.5 oz Arbutus Lavender Liquor
• 0.75 oz Cane Sugar Syrup
• 0.5 oz Grape Acid (see note)
• Lunessence Riesling Brut
• Garnish: Flower from the garden
Rose Grapefruit Spritz
Garden party in a glass
This is the season of celebrations, of graduations, weddings, reunions, garden parties and festive brunches. It’s also the season of light, fresh drinks best enjoyed outdoors.
Bringing all that together is a new rose-flavoured gin from Ireland’s Glendalough Distillery. Head distiller Rowdy Rooney created it to honour his late mother, Rose—and used rose petals she planted herself, along with wild roses, mountain herbs and other botanicals. It’s beautifully floral and complex, perfect with tonic or citrus in a spritz. Find Glendalough Rose Gin at private retailers for a suggested price of $58.