Every September, the city of Toronto is transformed into Hollywood North when the Toronto International Film Festival takes over the downtown core. Almost everywhere you turn there is a giant black SUV, a red carpet premiere, or a celeb trying to grab a coffee unnoticed. And while many look to TIFF to discover new movies (it is often seen as harbinger of Oscar nominations and box office success), we thought it might be more interesting to take you, our readers, inside the exclusive celeb filled parties that happen every night. Of course, the going ons in these parties are kept very hush hush (we had to sign a NDA just to get access). So we did the next best thing, we have sourced the hottest new TIFF cocktails (and how to make them) the celebs are sipping as they bask in their post film premiere bliss.
Don Julio Pineapple Margarita at Bisha Hotel
The Bisha Hotel is always the go-to place for the stars to meet after their film premieres to kick back and enjoy a great cocktail. Mr C, inside the hotel, is where the party always happens and this year was no different with several TIFF events and screenings including the Ben Stiller’s Nutcracker premiere after party. Featured cocktails included: Ketel One Dutch Mules, Tanqueray Ten Negronis and Bulleit Bourbon Popcorn Old Fashioneds. We tried them all and loved the Pineapple Margarita the most, so here’s how to make it at home.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Don Julio Blanco
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz lime juice
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
Method:
- Using a rocks glass, 1/2 rim glass with Tajín.
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin.
- Add ice.
- Shake until well chilled.
- Strain over fresh ice into a Rocks glass.
- Garnish with a dehydrated pineapple slice.
Campari Red Carpet TIFF Cocktail
At this year’s film festival, Campari has created a chic and immersive bar on the actual red carpet at Roy Thomson Hall. As a first-of-its-kind at TIFF, the Campari Red Carpet Lounge hosts filmmakers and talent before their world premieres with a signature cocktail called the Red Carpet Cocktail.
Recipe:
- 0.5 oz Campari
- 1 oz Appleton Reserve Blend
- 0.5 oz Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Raspberry Mint Syrup
- Top with Champagne Lallier Rose
Method:
- Combine Campari, Appleton Reserve Blend, raspberry mint syrup and lime juice in a shaker filled with ice.
- Strain into a coupe glass.
- Top with Champage Lallier Rose.
- Garnish with frozen raspberry.
Hazelton Hotel | One Restaurant’s TIFF Fizz
If you have ever experienced TIFF, you know that the best celebrity spotting often happens in the Yorkville area of Toronto. And their go-to hotel of choice is The Hazelton Hotel. Naturally, ONE Restaurant (inside the hotel), is the perfect spot for a film fest inspired speciality cocktails. Their menu is packed full of delicious cocktails but we are told the ‘most-ordered-by-celebs’ is their riff on a classic champagne cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp of mango puree
- 1 oz peach juice
- 3 zo Prosecco
Method
- Add 2 tbsp of mango puree and 1 oz peach juice to each full flute.
- Top with prosecco.
- Garnish with fresh lemon twist.
Jade’s Shinobi Cocktail
Jade is the latest hot spot restaurant to open in the Yorkville area of Toronto. Tucked away on Avenue road, this little jade jewel box of a bar, was loved by celebrities for its great cocktails and delicious nibbles – and its assured discretion. Cloistered in velvet clad booths, the stars sipped on the bar’s signature cocktail – the Shinobi. Here’s how to make one at home.
Recipe:
- 1.5oz Casamigos Reposado Tequila
- .75oz Choya Umeshu
- .75oz Cocchi Americano (Lillet Blanc could serve as a potential substitute)
- 2 dashes of Shiro Shoyu
- Roasted Sesame Oil
Method:
- Stir all ingredients with ice until well chilled.
- Strain into a Nick and Nora or coupe glass.
- Add 3 drops of roasted sesame oil on the surface of the drink for a subtle, nutty aroma.
- Garnish with a skewered frozen green grape for a refreshing and elegant touch.
1 Hotel’s Blue Gin Baby
Another hot spot during TIFF has been 1 Hotel; featuring a fabulous rooftop hotel. The A-list stars enjoyed some delicious food and even more delicious signature cocktails at the hotel. This year, they create three signature TIFF cocktails inspired by films at the festival: Blue Gin Baby, Habeus Papam, and Papillon. We got a chance to try them all out and we loved the Blue Gin Baby; inspired by the film, Never Too Late, a riveting and highly intimate portrait of musical icon and trailblazer, Sir Elton John. All the TIFF cocktails were designed by 1 Hotel Toronto’s Beverage Director, Clement Bondois.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz N.3 London Dry Gin
- 0.25 oz Briottet Blue Curacao
- 0/25 oz Briottet Lychee Liqueur
- 2 oz Prosecco
Method:
- In a Mixing glass pour all ingredients except prosecco and stir with ice for 30 seconds.
- Strain into rock glass and add prosecco.
- Place king cube gently and add the tiny dancer garnish.
The Chase’s Plot Twist
The Chase’s restaurant bar, perched at the top of the historic Dineen building on Temperance St. hosted many star studded parties this festival season. Over the years, this chic restaurant has hosted many celebrities when they are in town for TIFF or other media tours. In fact, just a couple weeks ago, Naomi Watts hosted an intimate dinner for the launch of her brand (Stripes Beauty) in Canada. The signature cocktail, Plot Twist’, was created for and is only available during this year’s TIFF season. Here’s how to make one at home year round.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz casamigos reposado
- 0.25 oz Briotette Sapin (pine liqueur)
- 0.25 honey agave syrup
- 2 dashes celery bitters
Method:
- Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until chilled.
- Strained and serve over a king cube in a fresh rocks glass.
- Garnish with celery ribbons and grapefruit twist.
Looking for more TIFF cocktails? Check out our 2022 film fest cocktail round up.
