The city of Toronto is finally abuzz again with the sounds of Hollywood – red carpet premieres, celeb spottings, and open air screenings. Now while many look to TIFF to discover new movies (it is often seen as an indicator of Oscar nominations), we thought it might be fun to take our readers inside the exclusive celeb filled parties that happen night after night. We couldn’t get you all on the guest list, so we did the next best thing. We have sourced the hottest new cocktails (and how to make them) at the pop up events and activations.
WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN
Over at RBC House the celebs are enjoying local music (RBC is a huge supporter of the Canadian arts scene) and sipping on some classic cocktails: Old Fashioneds, Espresso Martinis and Negronis. But the new go-to cocktail that has proven popular is the Yuzu Collins (a refreshing riff on the classic Collins). Here’s how to make your own:
Yuzu Collins recipe
1.5 oz Tanqueray No. TEN
1 oz simple syrup
.25 oz yuzu juice
.75 oz lime juice
2 oz Fever-tree Lime & Yuzu Soda
Method:
Combine all ingredients, except Fever-tree Lime & Yuzu Soda in a shaker. Add ice. Shake. Add soda. Strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass. Garnish with a lime leaf.
EVERY TIFF COCKTAIL SHOULD HAVE A STORY
The storied St Regis Hotel always does it right for TIFF with champagne toasts and unique signature cocktails. This year, the cocktail is inspired by Salvador Dali and the film that documents his life while living at the St Regis Hotel in NYC.
Daliland recipe:
1.25oz Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla
.75oz Manzanilla Sherry
.75oz Lemon Juice
.75oz Rosemary Syrup
3 dashes vegan foaming bitters
Method:
All ingredients are combined in a shaker with a splash of cold club soda and then shaken with ice for 15 seconds. Strain into one half of the shaker and discard the ice, shake for 10 seconds without ice. Strain into a coupe and apply the Dali themed stencil (this really is the finishing touch but don’t worry, it is just as delicious without it).
POPCORN IN YOUR TIFF COCKTAILS?
What we love about TIFF cocktails, is when a bartender or mixologist takes their creativity to the next level. And that is the case with the The Premiere from the Four Seasons hotel in Toronto. Popcorn syrup? Yes. Served in a popcorn container? Yes!
The Premiere recipe:
1.5oz Earl Grey Infused Tanqueray Gin
0.5oz Galliano (vanilla liqueur)
1oz Egg White
1oz Lemon Juice
1oz Buttered popcorn syrup
Method:
Add ice and all ingredients into a tin shaker. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds and gently strain into a highball glass. Place the finished cocktail in a popcorn box and cover the top with Double Butter Popcorn. Place a straw in the drink.
JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO GO IN THE WATER
Another hot spot during TIFF has been One Hotel; featuring a fabulous rooftop hotel. The A-list stars have been enjoying some delicious food and even more delicious signature cocktails. The Amity Island has caught everyones attention…(cue Jaws soundtrack)
The Amity Island recipe:
Dillon’s Vodka – 1.5oz
Briottet Blue Curacao – 0.5oz
Aloe Vera Juice – 1oz
Lemon Juice – 0.5oz
Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic
Method:
Fill a stemless wine glass with crushed ice. Use tongs to place the shark candies in the glass. In a tin shaker with ice pour all elements except for tonic. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds and strain gently into glass. Top off with elderflower tonic water. Use a clothes pin to clip the popcorn and movie ticket to the glass (optional garnish).
TIFF COCKTAILS: BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE
One of the hottest new restaurants in Toronto, Parc Ave, has teamed up with Bombay Sapphire to create a celeb inspired cocktail called the Clover Club. It’s delicious and oh so pretty. The Hollywood glitterati have been drinking it up every night of TIFF. Here’s how to make your own at home.
Clover Club recipe:
50 ml Bombay Bramble
25 ml Fresh lemon juice
20 ml sugar syrup
½ egg white
Garnish Raspberries Blackberries
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled and frothed. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with berries.
MONEY CAN’T BUY ME LOVE… BUT IT CAN BUY A GREAT TIFF COCKTAIL
Leave it to the folks at Yorkville’s Sofia restaurant to come up with one of the most expensive and tasty (we might add) cocktails on this years’ TIFF cocktail list. Made with top shelf alcohol and gold leaf, the La Scala will set you back $80.
La Scala recipe:
1.75 Ron Zacapa
.75 Grand Marnier Centenaire
.25 Wray and Nephew
.5 Calamansi
2 Dragonfruit Juice
.5 Falernum
Method:
Add ingredients into a shaker. Fill shaker with ice and hard shake. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with fresh flowers and gold leaf.
