Well, we know we have the coolest readers ever, which is why we weren’t surprised when we asked them to share their favourite winter cocktails, and almost drowned in an outpouring of boozy goodness. The LCBO is helping us celebrate cocktail season with a fantastic gift basket filled with mixology accessories, gifted to the crafter of our favourite recipe. But @AllAboutTheKash, with her delicious Bourbon and Elderflower cocktail, isn’t the only winner! We compiled the best of the entries into an amazing—and comprehensive—cold weather cocktail guide. Print this out, keep it in your liquor cabinet, and NEVER GO THIRSTY AGAIN! Thanks to our fabulous Twitter followers and Facebook fans for these suggestions, and for more great ideas, check out the LCBO’s Classic Cocktail recipes.
THE WINNER!
1. “Winter Cocktail: 2oz of Bourbon, 1oz of Chase Elderflower Liqueur, swirl with a little ice – w/a squeeze of Lemon. Amazing!” –@AllAboutTheKash
2. “Wine mulled with cinnamon, orange zest, and some triple sec = perfect winter warmth at any time.” –@destiniya
3. “French Manhattan: 1 oz Chambord, 1.5 oz Maker’s Mark, three shakes Angostura bitters, shaken over ice, top with gingerale.” –@geoffobvs
4. “My favourite drink is a Barbados Rum Punch! Lime juice, simple syrup, water, dark rum, bitters & nutmeg.” –@disco_hits
5. “Effen vodka + peppermint Kahlua is a nice winter-time treat.” –@_grace317
6. “Hot cider with some Jamaican rum, and a lil bit of cinnamon.”-@pipslington
7. “Hot Buttered Rum from Barchef! Nice and toasty for the cold weather and strong too!” –@LindsayPai87
8. “Our fave Winter cocktail is the Polar Berry” –@atg_ca
9. “The Appleton Orchard (I named it that). Crushed ice, amber rum, mulled apple cider + a cinnamon stick. Delish & uber cute!” –@TOEventGirls
10. “I had a DELICIOUS bourbon sour at @grandelectricTO last night. Definitely a new go-to for me! :)” –@LaurenShunock
11. “I looove me some Cadbury Hot Chocolate with Baileys ;)” –@kerribirtch
12. “Rocky Mountain Ginger Crisp: 1 part whiskey, 1 part gingerbread liqueur, 1/2 part apricot nectar, 1 1/2 part sparkling sake!” –@JulieEskins
13. “The icewine martini is amazing! I prefer to add a few frozen grapes though! Definitely my favorite for this winter.” –@LynnLaPasFine
14. “Coquito! Fresh coconut, coconut milk and cinnamon with rum.” – jooleemac
15. “My fave winter cocktail is definitely the ol’ rumnog. (rum & eggnog, obvs.)” – seagell
16. “Bourbon punch: Fill highball with ice: 3-4 mint leaves muddled, 1 1/2 oz. of bourbon, 1/2 oz. Chambord/Cassis, cran & soda!” –@girlonfirefilms
17. “Nothing like a little Canadiana to make a winter classic, even classier.
Maple Manhattan:
2 oz Makers 46 (relatively new and delish!)
1oz sweet vermouth
1 tsp dark %100 pure maple syrup
Pour over ice, stir well and strain into a very classic old fashioned glass. Garnish with a cherry. Sit by a fire and enjoy!”
-Skye Squirrely Bonham
18. “My fave is called Northern Lights – Whisky, Peach schnapps, orange juice and cranberry juice!” –@ennsee
19. “Can’t help but love Hendricks gin, grapefruit bitters, and grapefruit Perrier! So easy & delish!” –@HawleyDunbar
20. “Frostini = 1 part Starbucks Cream Liqueur 1 part Starbucks Coffee Liqueur, 1/4 part DeKuyper Peppermint Schnapps, fresh mint.” –@Emmaleewalpole
21. “Irish winter: 1 part Kahlúa Coffee Cream 1 part Jameson Irish Whiskey Freshly brewed coffee whipped cream for garnish.” –@drewz_fhreal
22. “Polar bear shot 🙂 1/2 oz white creme de cacao 1/2 oz peppermint schnapps. Sooo yummy.” –@marlibu
23. “It has to be Blueberry Tea – nice and simple Amaretto & orange pekoe. Great after dinner or in a thermos on the skating rink.” –@mayonowayo
24. “Winter Solstice: Cointreau, ice, lemon juice, club soda, mint, raspberries..so crisp, fresh.” –@datingzoivega
25. “Snowball! Malibu rum, hot chocolate + garnish w whipped cream & toasted coconut shavings. Enjoy outdoors or by the fire!” –@GundySara
26. “My new favorite is the Bee’s Knees cocktail. Shout out to foodgawker for the inspiration!” –@LottieOhara
27. “Abbott’s Dream: 2 oz Bailey’s Irish cream, 1 oz Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, 1/2 oz banana liqueur, 1/2 oz cream or milk.” –@TorontoViewer
28. “My favourite is a Pear Mule! (gingerale and pear vodka with a splash of lemon juice).” –@mk_robinson
29. “Tequila, Ginger Beer and Lime! I don’t know what it’s called. I had it he 1st time @thedrakehotel. It’s good any season!” –@amanda_fruci
~ Haley Cullingham