Sip the Season—B.C. Cocktails Make Your Spirit Bright

Festive B.C. Cocktails by Danika McDowell, Buy BC Brand Ambassador
December 13, 2024

This holiday season, elevate your gatherings with simple yet sophisticated cocktails* made using the finest local ingredients from across British Columbia. Whether you’re hosting a festive soirée or enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, these creative recipes are sure to impress. Featuring unique products from B.C. distilleries and processors, each drink highlights the spirit of our province—literally.

I’ve included pro tips to help you prep elements in advance, so you can wow your guests the day-of with minimal effort. From infusing spirits to making fancy ice, these steps will take your holiday hosting to the next level.

Winter Garden Gin & Tonic

This cocktail delivers a vibrant blue hue and unique citrus and pine flavours for a festive twist on the classic gin and tonic.

What you’ll need

• Spirit: Copperpenny No. 005 Social Gin (North Vancouver, B.C.)
• Infusion: Fuse & Sip Fancy Pants Cocktail & Mocktail Infusion Kit (Squamish, B.C.)
• Mixer: Gold Soda Sparkling Water (Surrey, B.C.)
• Garnish: Fresh rosemary sprig for an aromatic holiday touch
• Glassware: Collins glass accentuates the vibrant colour of the drink and accommodates sparkling water and garnishes

Serving suggestion

Once infused, serve 1.5 oz of the infused gin over ice, top with sparkling water, and garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig.

Pro tips

1. Add a punch of colour with an infusion.
2. Lightly torch the rosemary garnish for a dramatic, aromatic effect that will wow your guests.

Spiced Pear Moscow Mule

This cocktail creates a warm spiced base with subtle pear sweetness and aromatic cinnamon notes, perfect for a holiday Moscow Mule.

What You’ll Need

• Spirit: Unruly Vodka from Wayward Distillery (Courtenay, B.C.)
• Infusion: Steps to infuse spirits with fresh pear, star anise, and vanilla beans
• Mixer: Not Too Sweet Ginger Beer (Surrey, B.C.)
• Garnishes: Dehydrated pear slice and sprig of mint
• Glassware: Copper mule mug retains the coldness of the drink and enhances the festive experience

Serving suggestion

Pour 1.5 oz of infused vodka into a copper mule mug with ice, top with ginger beer, and garnish with a dehydrated pear slice and a cinnamon stick.

Pro tips

1. Infuse your base spirit with seasonal flavours. 
2. Create your own dehydrated pear garnishes using a mandolin slicer and a dehydrator or oven for a polished touch.

Festive Fig & Brandy

A sophisticated twist on the classic Old Fashioned, combining the warm notes of fig, the richness of brandy, and festive cherry ice cubes for a visually striking presentation.

What You’ll Need

• Spirit: Adam’s Brandy from Forbidden Spirits (Kelowna, B.C.)
• Liqueur: Figgy Pudding Spiced Liqueur from Copperpenny Distilling Co. (optional)
• Fancy Ice: Make flavoured ice cubes with B.C. cherry juice
• Garnishes: Orange twist and canned B.C. cherries
• Glassware: Rocks glass offers a classic Old-Fashioned presentation

Recipe

• ½ oz Figgy Pudding Spiced Liqueur (optional)
• 3 oz Adam’s Brandy
• 2 dashes Bittered Sling Cherry Bitters
• B.C. cherry juice for ice (recommend Kalala or Okanagan Beverage Co.) 
• 1 preserved B.C. cherry for garnish
• 1 orange twist for garnish

Serving suggestion

Place a cherry juice ice cube in a rocks glass. Add Adam’s Brandy, Figgy Liqueur (if using), and cherry bitters. Stir gently and garnish with an orange twist and a preserved B.C. cherry.

Pro tip

1. Make fancy ice cubes with local cherry juice and B.C. cranberries for festive colour. 

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This holiday season, add the spirit of British Columbia to your cocktails with these simple, festive recipes. Ready to Sip the Season? Head to your local stockists or shop directly from these featured B.C. distilleries and processors to get started!

Featured Buy BC Products For Festive Cocktails

• No. 005 Social Gin – Copperpenny Distilling Co. (North Vancouver, B.C.)
• Fancy Pants Cocktail Infusion Kit – Fuse & Sip (Surrey, B.C.)
• Sparkling Water – Gold Soda (Surrey, B.C.)
• Unruly Vodka – Wayward Distillery (Courtenay, B.C.)
• Ginger Beer – Not Too Sweet (Surrey, B.C.)
• Adam’s Brandy – Forbidden Spirits (Kelowna, B.C.)

*The legal drinking age in B.C. is 19. Please drink responsibly, in moderation, and always plan a safe ride home.

All photos credited to Danika McDowell.
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