Until we get to visit these iconic Canadian hotels in person, you can get a little taste courtesy of some hotel cocktails. We round up some of the most creative and most delicious hotel cocktails from across the country–perfect for sipping and day dreaming about travel again (post-pandemic!). Here are a few of our favourites (both hotels and cocktails!).
The royally-chic bar and lounge at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia.
The Fairmont Empress, Victoria, British Columbia
- The Fairmont Empress is one of Canadian’s most iconic hotels, and part of one of Canada’s most iconic hotel brands.
- The beautiful building underwent renovations a few years ago, including to its famous bar and lounge area. Making it perfect for a chic, royal-inspired cocktail, made with their very own gin.
- Empress Gin 1908 was created by a local gin distiller on Vancouver Island for the hotel.
- Its unique purple hue fits with the hotel’s regal colour scheme–and it even changes colour depending on what you mix it with. No matter what drink you make with this Canadian classic (from our hotel cocktails list or not), it will surely impress. This is a twist on the classic French 75.
The beautiful French 75 using Fairmont Empress’s Empress Gin.
Hotel Cocktails: The Empress 75
1 oz Empress 1908 Gin
0.5 oz St. Germain
0.75 oz lemon juice
0.25 oz simple syrup
2.5 oz Prosecco
Garnish with grapefruit pearls
Serve in a champagne flute with pearls on spoon over shaved ice in rocks glass.
There are so many amazing hotel options in Niagara-on-the-Lake, including the classic Oban Inn.
Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Inniskillin Icewine
- Niaragara-on-the-Lake is an incredible and beautiful spot in the country. And it has some of Ontario’s best small, locally-owned hotels.
- What you can always bet on is that hotels and restaurants serve incredible local wine. Niagara is home to so many wonders but nothing as exclusive as the world-famous, award-winning Inniskillin Icewines. Inniskillin is Canada’s first estate winery and is among the icewine production pioneers in Canada!
- This is how to incorporate icewine in a cocktail that pays homage to the classic Old Fashioned. It’s called the “Brae Burn Old Fashioned”, named after the Brae Burn Barn at Inniskillin’s Niagara-on-the-Lake estate. All you need is Inniskillin Gold Vidal Icewine, Scotch Whisky and two dashes of Angostura bitters. Simply combine all the ingredients in a rocks glass with ice, stir to chill and garnish with an orange twist.
- Inniskillin’s Vidal Icewine has flavours of creamy peach, candied citrus peel and honey. You can get it at the LCBO for $89.95.
The Brae Burn Old Fashioned cocktail uses Inniskillin’s Vidal or Gold Vidal Ice Wine.
Hotel Cocktails: The Brae Burn Old Fashioned
½ oz Inniksillin Gold Vidal Icewine
1 tsp of water
3 dashes of orange bitters
2 oz Rye Whisky
Orange peel twist & Vidal soaked cherries to garnish.
The incredible bar at the St. Regis Hotel in Toronto really elevates the cocktail experience.
The St. Regis Hotel, Toronto
- The St. Regis hotel brought an entirely new level of luxury to not only Toronto, but all of Canada when it opened. It’s one of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels in the country. And they are a hotel brand that takes dining and drinking to another level too, making it perfect to feature in our hotel cocktails.
- They traditionally have a sabering experience in the lobby each day at 5pm, where someone sabers the cork off a bottle of champagne. But since that’s a little tricky to do at home (please don’t try it!), you can make this classic Jack Rose cocktail from their restaurant LOUIX LOUIS.
- It pairs perfectly with their famous 13-Layer King’s Cake or the Smashing Chocolate Heart.
The beautiful Jack Rose cocktail from the St. Regis Hotel in downtown Toronto.
Hotel Cocktails: The Jack Rose
2 oz Apple brandy (Lairds)
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
¾ oz Grenadine
Glass: Cocktail glass
Garnish with a thin apple slice
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a thin apple slice.
The bar at the Ritz Carlton in Montreal totally captures the city’s vibe. Photo courtesy of Culte – David Maman.
The Ritz Carlton, Montreal
- The Ritz-Carlton in downtown Montreal is like an extension of the city itself. A modern tech hub with European-inspired charm.
- One of the best parts are the regional products showcased in dishes at Maison Boulud.
- Legendary chef Daniel Boulud created his namesake Maison Boulud to reinterpret French classics. At his downtown Montreal restaurant, artisanal Quebecois products and local ingredients are used to craft modern dishes. And to top off a beautiful experience at such a chic hotel, we have their take on a Cosmopolitan that is delicious!
The Ritz Carlton’s take on the classic Cosmopolitan is fresh and delicious. Photo courtesy of Culte – David Maman.
Hotel Cocktails: The Oriental Cosmopolitan
1½ oz of Vodka
¾ oz of ginger and coriander syrup
¼ oz of Mandarin fruit liqueur
¾ oz of white cranberry juice
¾ oz of lemon juice
Shake and double strain in a chaser carafe; pour over an orchid frozen in a ball of ice in a martini glass, and serve.
