Cocktails are the perfect drink for barbecues, gatherings, or relaxing after a day of adventure. Vodka is arguably the most popular base when it comes to mixed drinks, especially because its flavour profile pairs perfectly with so many ingredients.
If you’re like most Canadians, the end of summer is the perfect time to find locally sourced ingredients, mixers and garnishes. And while we’re being patriotic, why not use a craft Canadian spirit like Northern Keep Vodka for your next cocktail? Northern Keep’s smooth, subtle sweetness, with a hint of spice, makes it a great building block for cocktails, and perfectly complements your drink’s other fresh, in-season ingredients.
Did we also mention that every bottle of Northern Keep sold helps to protect five sq. feet of ecologically significant land across Canada through the Nature Conservancy of Canada? Not only will you be drinking a distinctly Canadian spirit, but you’ll also be helping to protect distinctly Canadian lands.
Try your hand at mixology with these Northern Keep Vodka cocktail recipes that are sure to impress your friends.
Keep it Cool
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. (30 mL) Northern Keep Vodka
- 0.5 oz. (15 mL) lime juice (or half of a lime squeezed in)
- Grapefruit soda
Directions: Grab a Rocks glass (salt the rim if you like) and fill it with ice. Start to build your drink by adding each ingredient in the order listed. Garnish it with a lime wedge on the edge of the rim and enjoy.
This cocktail is slightly tart, but highly refreshing.
That’s My Jam
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. (30 mL) Northern Keep Vodka
- 1 tablespoon raspberry jam
- 2 oz. (60 mL) pineapple juice
Directions: Add all ingredients into a Martini shaker with ice and shake for 15 seconds. Get all of that jam goodness mixed right in and strain into a Martini glass. Finish off with a pineapple chunk for garnish.
Try this cocktail if you’re in the mood for something smooth and fruity, with a side of sophistication.
Keep Calm
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. (30 mL) Northern Keep Vodka
- 1 oz. (30 mL) cranberry juice
- 3 oz. (90 mL) green tea (chilled)
Directions: Add all your ingredients into a Martini shaker with ice. Shake well for 15 seconds. Fill your highball glass with ice and then strain the mixture straight into the glass. Add a mint sprig for garnish and you’re done!
Light and refreshing, try this cocktail with a friend (or two) on the backyard patio!
Keep it Together
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. (30 mL) Northern Keep Vodka
- 1 oz. (30 mL) honey syrup (1:1 honey and water combined together over low heat)
- 3 strawberries (diced)
- 3 lime wedges
- 8-10 mint leaves
- Soda water
Directions: In a highball glass, muddle the mint, strawberries, limes and honey syrup together. Then add ice, vodka and fill the rest with soda. Stir to bring up the muddled ingredients from the bottom of the glass. Add a sprig of mint to finish it off.
With hints of fruit and mint, this is the perfect cocktail to help you cool off on a warm evening.
Grapefruit Basil Smash
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz. Northern Keep Vodka
- 1 oz. grapefruit juice
- 1/3 oz. lemon juice
- 2/3 oz. simple syrup
- 1/2 cup hibiscus tea (unsweetened and chilled)
- 6 basil leaves (plus additional sprig for garnish)
Directions: Muddle the basil leaves in a shaker and then add the remaining ingredients. Shake well for at least 15 seconds. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Finish it off with a sprig of basil.
Perfectly tart, with a hint of sweetness, this is the perfect cocktail to cheers to the weekend with!
Northern Keep is made from a mix of Canadian rye and winter wheat by the artisans at Alberta Distillers. It’s distilled five times for exceptional smoothness, packing a distinct Canadian taste with every sip!
You can find Northern Keep Vodka for $27.99 + applicable taxes at BC liquor stores across the province and fix yourself a refreshing cocktail.
Cheers!
For more delicious inspiration in Metro Vancouver, check out our Food and Drink section.
This is branded content brought to you by Northern Keep Vodka. To learn more about the Canadian brand, please visit them online.