July 1st and July 4th mark two very important days in the history of Canada and the United States of America. The former represents the national day of Canada, the day that celebrates the anniversary of the 1867 enactment of the British North America Act which united three British colonies into what was termed ‘Canada’. The latter represents Independence Day, mostly commonly known as the Fourth of July, an American federal holiday that commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence from the kingdom of Great Britain on July 4, 1776. In honour of these two great nations, I have come up with a list of 6 drinks that will enable you to show your patriotic pride in the most appropriate M4 way, with a drink in hand :).
I wouldn’t call myself a wanderer exactly, but I am a traveler, one who has visited many, many countries. I do always know where home is, and that for me is Canada. Canada Day is the one day to celebrate our country’s birthday (144 and counting) and one amazing place to do it is in our nation’s capital, where I happen to live, Ottawa. That being said, I have spent many a day traveling through the wonderfully diverse USA (I have been to about half of the states so far – a work in progress) and have many friends that now call that glorious country their ‘home’. So my dear friends from across the globe, please join me in raising a cocktail glass, a martini glass, a shot glass (you get the gist), quote Benjamin Franklin who said “Where liberty is, there is my country”, and drink to the freedom, the liberty and choices provided by these two great nations.
Note: I was blessed to have some of my most favourite Canadians help me out on this latest tasting. You know who you are ;-).
O Canada! Shooter – recipe by Jesse Boudreau
1 part grenadine
1 part rye whiskey
1 part vodka
1 part half & half cream
Combine the grenadine and whiskey in a bowl/glass. Combine the vodka and cream in a separate bowl/glass. Pour the grenadine/whiskey mixture into a shot glass and layer the vodka/cream mixture on top. Shoot!
Comments: This one took a whole bunch of tries to get right. Luckily I am all for the ‘practice makes perfect’ idiom when it comes to cocktails :). But ‘right’, it now is. Enjoy!
Tasting Notes: tastes like vanilla ice cream; very smooth; a perfect after dinner drink; cotton candy taste; very light alcohol taste (in fact, it’s hard to tell there is any!); “will have you coming back for more”
Beavertail Shooter – recipe by Jesse Boudreau
1 part rye whiskey
1 part maple syrup
1 part vodka
1 part half & half cream
cinnamon
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake for 10 seconds and strain into a shot glass. Grate cinnamon over the top.
Comments: The inspiration for this cocktail is the infamous Beavertail, a cinnamon and sugar topped fried dough pastry shaped in the form of a beaver’s tail. It originated in Ottawa and so, as it is our nation’s capital, Jesse felt it only properly patriotic to create a namesake cocktail.
Tasting Notes: smooth, like a white russian but with a maple and cinnamon kick; the cinnamon explodes in your mouth!; beautiful maple finish
Maple Leaf
1 1/2 oz rye whiskey
1/2 oz maple syrup
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
Comments: This cocktail is usually made with bourbon, but obviously we couldn’t have that to celebrate Canada with (bourbon is a type of American whiskey)! I was hesitant to try this as the ingredients did not in any way shape or form appeal to me, but I felt it was my duty as a Canadian so I gave it a whirl. Well, I have to say that is not going to be my new ‘go to’ cocktail but it did grow on me. Shame on me for judging a book by it’s cover!
Tasting Notes: nice lemony taste with a maple finish; tastes a bit like raisins (weird I know, but it does!); smooth, good sipping
Red, White and Blue Shooter
1/3 oz blue curaçao
1/3 oz grenadine
1/3 oz peach schnapps
Pour the grenadine into a shot glass. Float the schnapps on top of the grenadine, followed by the blue curaçao. Substitute vodka for the peach schnapps and you will have a Fourth of July shooter.
Comments: There is a bit of a knack to layering, just keep in mind that liquids layer according to their density. Pouring them slowly over a bar spoon will get you there, I promise. Well, that and some practice. This type of practice however, is nowhere near like your childhood piano practice :). A version that we tried with half & half instead of the schnapps provided a much more balanced, creamy and less alcoholic alternative.
Tasting Notes: quite sweet and very strong peachy flavour (if you don’t like sweet shots, do not partake)
American Pie
1 1/2 oz coconut rum
3 oz fresh lime juice
1 1/2 oz lemon-lime soda (e.g. 7-up or Sprite)
1 tbsp grenadine
Fill a highball glass with ice and add the coconut rum, lime juice and grenadine. Top with the soda, stir well and serve.
Comments: This would be fantastic made into a pitcher for a party, even if it is a party for one :). It definitely runs low on the alcohol scale which is perfect for those who like a little nip, but only a little one. If you really want to stretch it out, feel free to add more lemon-lime soda. It will still retain the coconut rum and refreshing hit from the lime but will tone down the alcohol %.
Tasting Notes: perfect for a hot summer day; the lime juice adds a refreshing note; doesn’t have a strong alcohol taste
Quaker’s Cocktail
3/4 oz. Brandy
3/4 oz. Light Rum
2 teaspoons Lime Juice
2 teaspoons Raspberry Juice
Lemon Twist
Combine ingredients in a shaker filled with ice, shake and strain into a chilled martini or cocktail glass. Garnish with the lemon twist.
Comments: If you think that raspberry juice tastes like sweet raspberries you are in for a whopping as it is more like a cranberry juice as far as tartness is concerned. If you prefer your drinks more on the sweet side vs. tart, I would add some simple syrup. This will make the drink less tart but won’t alter the actual flavour.
Tasting Notes: quite biting (from the lime); has a substantial alcohol kick (definitely not for the faint of heart); brings out your tastebuds!
No bullshit and crafted, thank you very much for this article