Holiday Libations

f Holiday Libations

Holiday hospitality comes easy with these festive cocktails from the world’s top cocktail pro. Barman James Grant of Edmonton’s Little Hong Kong vaulted to star status among mixologists when he won the prestigious Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year competition this summer. Style Manitoba caught up with James while he was on tour in Toronto. We asked him to offer a couple of drink suggestions for the Yule season.

Winter Martini:

60ml Tanqueray Rangpur Gin 15ml Blanc Vermouth 15ml Fino Sherry 1 dash cardamom bitters 2 dashes orange bitters Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a star anise pod.

“A Martini is always a welcome addition to any party, and this one is sure to impress. Winter spices, floral vermouth, and a savoury sherry help showcase the bright lime notes of Tanqueray Rangpur in this robust, refined Martini variation,” says Grant, mentioning that he uses Tanqueray Rangpur for its unique lime hit that complements the spicing component in the recipe. “The drink is bright and fresh, and while it’s different from the classic version, it is definitely in the Martini wheelhouse.”

The drink calls for dashes of both cardamom and orange bitters. While these items may be available at MLCC stores, people can make these at home, he says. “Toast the cardamom pods till you can smell the aroma. Take out the pods and place them in a good quality vodka and let it sit overnight. For orange bitters, try placing a peel into vodka. Using the peel may offer a more bitter note to the drink that differs from using orange zest in the infusion,” he says.

Yuletide Sour:

45ml Ciroc Pomegranate 15ml Creme de Cassis 30ml Fresh Lemon Juice Shake all ingredients with ice and fine-strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

“Dark fruit and the winter herbal notes of rosemary come together to create a bright, tart cocktail based on the clean profile of Ciroc Pomegranate,” says Grant, noting that this drink is both festive and refreshing.

“When people think of traditional holiday cocktails, their thoughts typically turn to egg nogs, spiked hot cocoa or cranberry drinks. This Yuletide Sour offers something different that is bright and tart with lots of berry. The Creme de Cassis is a perfect pairing to create a drink that is light and approachable, and really fits the bill for an early evening beverage.”