September 19, 2017

proof whisky & vodka, likin' them apples, Vol. 172


Last Sunday we spent a balmy afternoon at our local orchard. Because of the sucky cool and wet summer that we had, a lot of varieties were still not available for picking. We were however able to get our hands on some delicious Macs and Cortlands. One of our favourite ingredients for both whisky and vodka drinks are apples after all. Here are a few tasty recipes.


orchard mule 1 1/2 oz apple-infused proof vodka* • 2 oz apple cider • 3 oz ginger beer • 1/4 oz lemon juice • cinnamon sticks and apples for garnish

*For vodka infusion: 3 sliced apples • 2 cinnamon sticks • 500 ml proof vodka 
Fill a 1L Mason jar with apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Add 500ml proof vodka. Seal and shake. Refrigerate for at least 48 hours (no more than 3 weeks). Pour the mixture through a fine strainer to remove the solids.

For cocktail In a copper cup filled with ice, add the infused proof vodkaapple cider,  lemon juice and ginger beer. Stir and garnish with apple slices and/or a cinnamon stick.



Infuse proof whisky the same way as above for delicious apple pie shots. A great drink to kick off your Thanksgiving celebrations.


Eve's sangria 1/2 sliced orange • 1 chopped pear • 2 chopped apples • 3 sticks cinnamon • freshly grated nutmeg • 1 cup proof whisky • 1 bottle white wine • 3 cups apple cider • 1 341 ML bottle of ginger beer

Mix all ingredients, except for ginger beer into a large pitcher or dispenser. Just before serving add lots of ice and top with ginger beer. NOTE: you may want to remove cinnamon sticks if flavour becomes too strong.



the apple crisp single 1 oz proof whisky • 1/2 oz Goldschlager • 5 oz apple cider 

To a highball glass filled with ice, add proof whisky, Goldschlager and apple cider. Garnish drink with cinnamon stick. This cocktail can be served warm as well, just omit the ice and warm in a heat-resistant mug. (note: you can replace Goldschalger with *cinnamon simple syrup)

the apple crisp pitcher 8 oz proof whisky • 4 oz Goldschlager • 40 oz apple cider 

To a pitcher, add proof whisky, Goldschlager and apple cider. Serve in highballs glasses filled with ice or a heat-resistant mug. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. (note: you can replace Goldschalger with *cinnamon simple syrup)

*cinnamon simple syrup: Combine equal parts sugar and boiling water. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Pour into a clean bottle and add a cinnamon stick. Let cool. Can be store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.


pomme-tini 2 oz proof vodka • 2 oz fresh apple cider • 1/4 oz fresh lemon juice • 1/2 oz cinnamon simple syrup • apple slice for garnish

Add ingredients to an ice-filled shaker. Shake hard and pour into a cinnamon-sugar rimmed martini glass • garnish with apple slice



*cinnamon simple syrup: Combine equal parts sugar and boiling water. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Pour into a clean bottle and add a cinnamon stick. Let cool. Can be store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.


the applewood 1 1/2 oz saddleback maple bacon whisky • 4 oz fresh apple cider • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice


Pour ingredients into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with apple.


If you're down for some apple picking of your own, here's a list of farms in the GTA:
www.applewoodfarmwinery.com   www.organicsfarm.ca   www.pinefarmsorchard.com www.albionorchards.com   www.brooksfarms.com   www.chudleighs.com


Have fun apple-picking!


August 17, 2017

proof whisky & vodka, The Big Feastival, Vol.171


We have teamed-up with Piger Henricus & Saddleback Whisky to serve you some delicious drinks and snow cones at The Big Feastival! Hope to see you there!


After six, exciting years in the UK, The Big Feastival is coming to Canada August 18-20th. Delivering an extravaganza of delicious food sound-tracked by perfect summer sounds, this weekend of top entertainment will host star appearances from the food, music and children’s entertainment world plus camping (and glamping!). Facilities in the idyllic Burl’s Creek allows for festival-goers to get back to nature, chill out and top off their big day out with a night under canvas.Plans for this summer’s first-ever The Big Feastival Canada are in full swing, and we are bursting to tell you all that we have in store. Here’s a little taste of what to expect:
TUNES...The Big Feastival wouldn’t be complete without an amazing music line-up. (for more info canada.thebigfeastival.com)


this little piggy single 1 oz Saddleback Whisky • ½ oz lemon juice • 1/2 oz lime juice • ½ oz simple syrup
Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled shaker. Shake hard and pour into a glass & garnish.

this little piggy pitcher 5 oz Saddleback Whisky • 6 oz lemon juice • 6 oz lime juice • 6 oz simple syrup
Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled pitcher. Stir & garnish.


it’s about thyme single 1 oz Piger Henricus Gin • 3 oz thyme-infused lemonade • 1 oz Fentimans tonic • sprig of thyme for garnish
Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled shaker. Shake hard and pour into a glass & garnish.

it’s about thyme pitcher 5 oz Piger Henricus Gin • 20 oz thyme-infused lemonade • 5 oz Fentimans tonic • 3 sprigs of thyme for garnish
Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled pitcher. Stir & garnish.


mint it! single 1 oz proof whisky • 4 oz mint-infused lemonade • 3 crushed blueberries • mint leaves for garnish
Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled shaker. Shake hard and pour into a glass & garnish.

mint it! pitcher 6 oz proof whisky • 24 oz mint-infused lemonade • ½ cup crushed blueberries • mint leaves for garnish
Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled pitcher. Stir & garnish.


the blue mule single 1 oz proof vodka • 2 oz Ocean Spray Blueberry juice • ¼ oz lime juice • 3 oz ginger beer • blueberries for garnish
Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled shaker. Shake hard and pour into a glass & garnish.

the blue mule pitcher 5 oz proof vodka • 10 oz Ocean Spray Blueberry juice • 1 ¼ oz lime juice • 15 oz ginger beer • blueberries for garnish
Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled pitcher. Stir & garnish.


ice ice baby snow cones:

nippy Niagara 4 niagara peaches, peeled, pitted & sliced • 1 1/2 cups sugar • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 1/2 cup water • 1/2 cup proof whisky • crushed ice

Add peaches, water and sugar to a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes on low. Puree peach mixture in a blender and strain into clean bowl. Add lemon juice and proof whisky. Refrigerate until cool. Pour 1 oz over shaved ice, and garnish with peach slice. (makes 6-8 cones) (depending on the size of your peaches, you may need to add more water)

frosted bramble 1 cup blackberries • 1 1/2 oz lemon juice • 1/2 cup sugar • 1/4 cup water • 3 oz Piger Henricus gin • blackberries for garnish


Add the sugar and the water to small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and remove from heat to let cool. Once the syrup has cooled, add the blackberries. Mash the berries to a pulp, then strain through a fine mesh strainer. Add the lemon juice and the gin, and set in the refrigerator to chill. Once chilled, drizzle over a cone packed full of crushed ice. Garnish with a few blackberries and serve with a straw.

Have fun! We hope to see you this weekend!