Embrace the bloom in your next cocktail

There is a garden party renaissance afoot. Floral print dresses, wide brimmed hats and a newfound nostalgia for classic summer cocktails transports us to a seemingly simpler time. Aromas of lavender, orange blossom, elderflower and rose water are once again coming from your drink in hand — not just the surrounding garden. So delight your guests at your next sticky summer gathering with a refreshing and fragrant cocktail inspired by some of nature’s most alluring scents.

Bitters have inspired cocktails for nearly 200 years — and now they’re back in vogue.

It’s that little bottle with the ill-fitting label that’s wedged into the darkest corner of your liquor cabinet. You’ve probably looked at it a thousand times and long since forgotten what the heck it’s for. But, before you toss it as part of an advanced strike on spring-cleaning, be aware that the little bottle of bitters is getting some big attention. Bitters have been around for nearly 200 years and have found their way into the cocktails of yesteryear as a signature bartender ingredient. Today, as part of the emerging speakeasy retro-trend, bitters are seeing a surge in popularity along with some of the most classic cocktails of all time.

Aptly named for its face-puckering flavour, it’s no coincidence that bitters came to the mixologist’s kit bag from the world of pharmacy. Classified as a tincture (alcohol base), bitters consist of various blends of herbs, roots and other pseudo-medicinal ingredients that have their properties extracted into the booze.

Enjoy variations of classic cocktails while learning the re-emerging art of muddling.

Gone are the days of powdered bar mix and maraschino cherries. Today’s ambitious bartenders squeeze only fresh juice and don’t garnish with manufactured fruit. They create delicious tasting and beautifully looking cocktails by muddling, a century-old technique whereby fresh fruit and herbs are mashed together to extract their truest flavour. Mojitos, Mint Juleps and Bellinis have all seen a renaissance of late, and for good reason. They’re simple cocktails with few ingredients that turn an ordinary summer afternoon into something memorable (we hope!), but that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with new versions of these classic cocktails.