Your festive evening is approaching: you have carefully decorated your space, you have chosen the perfect meal and you are buying your last-minute gifts, but have you thought about the cocktails you will serve to your guests?

In our opinion, the ideal cocktail is simple, but has a special touch. So, here are six local cocktails to keep in mind during your next celebration with family or friends. Cheers!

Amermelade

Amermelade is the first Quebec made bitter aperitif. Inspired by Italy, but with a local twist, Amermelade uses typical Quebec ingredients such as sweet gale and sea buckthorn.

Try this: Amermelade Spritz, a classic spritz that is delicious served with lemon zest and an antipasto platter.

BleuRoyal gin

This unique Quebec gin has notes of cardamom, coriander and wildflowers such as iris and lavender. Mixed with lemon or tonic, this bluish spirit will turn into an extraordinary fuchsia cocktail thanks to its star ingredient: the butterfly pea flower.

Try this: Tom Collins, a simple-to-make (but not simple-looking) cocktail created with BleuRoyal gin, simple syrup, lemon juice and sparkling water.

Les Subversifs gin

This surprising gin created in honour of Marie-Victorin, a famous Quebec botanist, is the first and only parsnip gin!

Try this: the Red Snapper, a classic Bloody in which vodka is replaced by Marie-Victorin gin.

Cirka vodka

This vodka made with premium quality non-GMO corn grown in Quebec has a delicate sweet aroma with a hint of liquorice and caramel.

Try this: Petit Maghreb, “a cocktail inspired by the delicate aromas of the Mediterranean,” featuring fig syrup, orange blossom water and egg whites.

Saint-Crème by Distillerie Mariana

This cream fudge beverage is perfect for the holidays—and it’s apparently even better than your grandmother’s recipe!

Try this: enjoy Saint-Crème on ice, in your coffee, or even in your desserts!

The Charlatans offer a variety of syrups that are as delicious in cocktails as in mocktails. Cucumber & tarragon, ginger, lime & pepper, orange & rosemary, strawberry & sichuan, sea buckthorn, chile & tonka, coffee & cardamom, cocoa & beet … there is something for everyone!

Try this: these recipes made with Les Charlatans syrup.

Two local books to inspire you

L’Apéro au Québec

In this book by Max Coubès and Rose Simard, you will discover 55 cocktails created with Quebec spirits and fresh seasonal ingredients while meeting local distillers, brewers and producers. We could leaf through this amazing book for hours (cocktail in hand)!

Cocktails : les 50 indispensables

Patrice Plante, also known as Monsieur Cocktail, offers a range of cheerful cocktails for the holidays. Get this cocktail book and you’ll never have to wonder what to drink during the holidays!

Recommended