Pitchers of pleasure
Photography by Yvonne Duivenvoorden
Bringing out a pitcher of cocktails at a holiday party brightens the mood and frees you from dealing with individual drink requests. Here are both old favourites and new, fashionable concoctions that will surely please your partygoers. Each pitcher, with the exception of the Champagne Cocktail, serves eight and can easily be increased or reduced. Cheers!
Drink garnishes
Rimmed glasses
Spread salt, celery salt, sugar or grated chocolate on small plate. Moisten rim of glass with citrus juice used in drink or with water; press rim of glass
onto plate.
Citrus fruit
• Slices: Cut to centre from edge; wedge on rim of glass. Or twist slice and skewer on cocktail stick.
• Wedges: Seed and make small cut from inside centre toward skin; wedge on rim of glass. Or slice rind horizontally from tip one-third up length; fit on rim of glass.
Make them ahead
To make any of these drinks ahead, mix ingredients up to point of adding any sparkling liquid or ice; just cover and refrigerate and add those ingredients just before serving.
Recipes
-
Classic Margarita
Make this perennial favourite with white or yellow tequila as desired. -
Classic Dry Martini
This is the popular dry version, but for the original martini, double the vermouth. If guests choose just cocktail onions for the garnish, they will h... -
Classic Manhattan
A whisky version of a martini, the manhattan is making a real comeback. -
Best Bloody Mary
This classic brunch drink also works as an aperitif with nibbles, especially cheese straws or crackers. -
Best Caesar
You'll be surprised at how much tastier one of Canada's best-loved drinks is with this homemade mix. Bottled clam juice is available at most supermark... -
Pink Greyhound
This refreshing drink, which originated in Florida, makes one think of southern holidays to come. For a sweeter drink, stir in a bit of sugar to taste... -
Champagne Cocktail
Make this time-tested classy aperitif with any dry sparkling wine. -
Cosmopolitan
This rosy cocktail has taken North America by storm over the last few years. -
Maple Leaf Sour
This maple-flavoured adaptation of a whisky sour should please both patriots and Toronto hockey fans alike. Be sure to use real maple syrup and look f... -
Dark and Stormy Spice
The au courant Dark and Stormy drink meets holiday spice simply through the use of spiced rum. Ginger beer, a robust soft-drink favourite of Jamaicans...
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