Spring Cocktails with Breakfast Television

On a special segment featured on Breakfast Television, I visit some of the most classic cocktails we know and love, and give them a unique spring twist. These spring cocktails are perfect for getting you set up this upcoming season and beyond! We’re featuring a Frozen Strawberry Negroni Slushie, Light Rosé Manhattan, Green Tea Daiquiri and a Bitter Sweet French 75.

Want to see my live segment on Breakfast Television? Well you can watch the video by following the link HERE.

FROZEN STRAWBERRY NEGRONI SLUSHIE

There’s so many reasons I love this Frozen Strawberry Negroni Slushie recipe. It’s such a fun and creative way to view this classic. Takes very little effort to put together. And you have a cocktail ready in the freezer at a moment’s notice! Now lets review the brands I used in this segment and why:

• Seventh Heaven Dry Gin – Canadian. We are always pushing Canadian products first here (Tariffs or no tariffs). London style dry gin, lots of juniper notes, uses Quebec Nordic Juniper Berries. Great classic dry style!
• Campari – Can you even have a Negroni without the Campari? You can also source out other bitter aperitivos if preferred.
• Social Lite Field Strawberry Vodka Soda – Made in Ontario! A brand I’ve worked with for year that I absolutely love. Their Vodka Soda line ups are fantastic and low in sugar. You need this in the recipe to help lengthen the volume of this Slushie, adds Strawberry flavour and the necessary “water” to help freeze this slushie nicely.
• Lustau Rosé Vermouth – This vermouth is a MUST on your bar, and I can almost guarantee that you’ll love sipping this on the rocks with an orange twist this summer. It’s important to pour the vermouth after the slushie has been made. Helps balance out the slushie without losing all the delicious flavours from this vermouth.

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Frozen Strawberry Negroni Slushie

An easy to make, frozen strawberry slushie with all the delicious Negroni flavours we love!

– Difficulty: Easy

Servings 4 Cocktails

Author Monica C

Ingredients

• 2 oz Seventh Heaven Gin
• 1.5 oz Campari
• 2 oz Simple Syrup 1:1 Ratio
• 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
• 0.5 oz Orange Juice
• 1 oz Water
• 1 Can Social Lite Strawberry Vodka Soda
• 2 oz Rose Vermouth Lustau – approximately 0.5 each serving

Instructions

1. Pour all your ingredients (except Rose Vermouth) into a freezer safe container
2. Place into your freezer for 3-4 hours.
3. Scrap the semi formed / solidified liquid to create the slushie texture.
4. Place back into the freezer and bring it out once ready.
5. When you’re ready to pour single servings, spoon the slushies into vessels and pour a little bit of Rose Vermouth on top.

Light Rose Manhattan

I know what you’re thinking. How can a Manhattan be light in colour? Is that really whisky? Well it’s all that and more, and this was easily my favourite recipe of the entire segment! Here are the ingredients:

• White Owl Whisky – We’ve got another Canadian product! Made out in Alberta. How is this Whisky clear? Well, it’s proprietary methods won’t allow me to know much more than the fact that it’s triple filtered like your premium vodkas. It has a softer Rye Palate, with no additives, colouring or flavourings. This is an INCREDIBLE product that you should have on your bar.
• Lustau’s Rosé Vermouth – Yes, we use it again, and it gives it this delicate rose colour, adds delicate floral and strawberry notes and again, an essential on your bar!
• Quinta’s White Port – An outstanding White Port we have right here, which really adds the depth and texture to complete this Manhattan. This is a must find to make this magic happen.

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Light Rose Manhattan

Yes, this is a Manhattan, and it's absolutely outstanding, using a Clear Whisky, White Port and Rosé Vermouth

– Difficulty: Easy

Servings 1 Cocktail

Author Monica C

Ingredients

• 2 oz White Owl Whisky
• 2/3 oz Rose Vermouth
• 1/3 oz White Port
• 3 Dashes of Orange Bitters

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, add all your ingredients.
2. Fill your mixing glass with ice and stir well (at least 30 seconds)
3. Strain into your couple glass.

GREEN TEA DAIQUIRI

Yes, your Daiquiri’s should be shaken, not blended. So I go back to this classic and reshake it with Tea flavours because I love using Tea during the Spring time to welcome in the new season. Here are some of the brand highlights to mention in this delicious options of Spring Cocktails:

• Flor de Cana (4 yr) – If you’ve been following Liquid Culture for some time, you know my love for Flor de Cana. Make sure you aren’t switching brands drastically here. It’s important to stick to the Spanish-Style, Lightly Aged Rum, and for me Flor de Cana is just that and more!
• Pluck Tea – Shout out to Pluck Tea, for being a Toronto-based Company and their Green Tea truly is something special and worth seeking out.

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Green Tea Daiquiri

An easy to make Daiquiri with quality ingredients, including Flor de Cana 4 yr old Rum and a Green tea Syrup that's easy to make.

– Difficulty: Easy

Servings 1 Cocktail

Author Monica C

Ingredients

• 2 oz Flor de Cana 4 yr Rum
• 1 oz Green Tea Syrup
• 0.75 oz Freshly Squeezed Lime

Instructions

1. In a shaker, add all your ingredients and ice.
2. Shake well. Double Strain into Coupe Glass.

Recipe Notes

To make the Green Tea Syrup, simply combine 1 cup boiled water, 1 cup granulated sugar and 2 Green Tea Bags. Stir to dissolve the sugar and let the tea bags sit for 10 minutes. Let it come to room temperature before storing in fridge. Can stay in the frige for up to 2 weeks.

BITTER SWEET FRENCH 75

I LOVE USING SINGLE MALTS IN COCKTAILS. I have been saying this forever, but here’s a reminder. I always love showcasing whisky’s in a different light, and this French 75 looks like the classic made with Gin, but instead we’re using Jura Single Malt, Dillon’s Gentian Liqueur for that Bitter aspect and a delicious Cava from Segura Viudas.

• Jura 12 Yr Single Malt Whisky – I was recently introduced to Jura in my life and wish I had it sooner. It’s a great approachable Single Malt that’s perfect for mixing on sipping on it’s own. Try it. It fits the spot!
• Dillon’s Gentian Liqueur – Gentian provides a bitter flavour that you find in your Angostura Bitters, etc. I love how there’s a Bitter Sweet element that you wouldn’t expect from this cocktail and it’s so delicious. Also as an aside, Dillon’s is made here in Ontario and I love pretty much everything they make. But special recognition to their Liqueur line because that stuff is some of the very BEST in the market!
• Segura Viudas Cava – I always forget just how delicious Cava can truly be. Segura brought me right back to why I love this bubbly and it’s an essential for this French 75 experience!

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Bitter Sweet French 75

A delicious French 75 cocktail that isn't your typical. Made with Jura Single Malt, Dillon's Gentian Liqueur and Segura Cava!

– Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings 1 Cocktail

Author Monica C

Ingredients

• 0.75 oz Jura Single Malt Whisky
• 1 oz Dillon’s Gentian Liqueur
• 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
• 3 oz Segura Viudas Cava

Instructions

1. In a shaker, add your whisky, liqueur and lemon juice. Give this a quick shake with ice.
2. Strain into flute glass and top with your cava.

Want to catch some of my other Breakfast Television Segments? You can find them HERE. And for more Spring Cocktails, make sure to check out our section here!