Photography by Emma McIntyre and Liam Mogan
These Toronto cocktails, loaded with spices, fruits and syrups, are perfectly calibrated to take the edge off a cold, dreary February.
Rebelling against the ubiquity of apple-based winter cocktails, <strong>Harbord Room</strong> bartender Dave Mitton mixes fresh pear juice with oaky Wiser’s Legacy Canadian whisky, cinnamon-spiced syrup, walnut bitters and an egg white for a cocktail balanced between frothy fruitiness and smoky woodsiness. $13. <em><a href="http://www.torontolife.com/guides/restaurants/bistro/the-harbord-room/">89 Harbord St.,</a> 416-962-8989.</em><br />
At the rustic Dundas West wine bar <strong>Enoteca Sociale,</strong> assistant sommelier Michelle Ratzlaff makes her cider from scratch using a heady mix of clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and, of course, fresh McIntosh apple juice. She spikes the mix with Maker’s Mark and orange-vanilla bitters, creating an irresistibly boozy winter warmer. $12. <em><a href="http://www.torontolife.com/guides/restaurants/italian/enoteca-sociale/">1288 Dundas St. W.,</a> 416-534-1200.</em>
Down a darkened corridor in a Kensington Market basement, <strong>Cold Tea</strong> suddenly appears like a boozy Narnia, serving up creative cocktails made with quality ingredients. Our favourite, the Buk Chai, is a seductively spicy blend of Gosling’s rum, ginger beer, lime juice and chai syrup, whose creamy warmth complements the zingy ginger kick. $10. <em><a href="http://www.torontolife.com/guides/bars_and_clubs/bars/cold-tea/">60 Kensington Ave.,</a> 416-546-4536.</em>
For her fireplace-friendly take on the old-school wallbanger, <strong>Suits’</strong> Neila MacIntyre muddles ginger, cloves and cinnamon, then adds Galliano, vodka, apple juice and nutmeg. A star anise flower, torched tableside, makes a spicy garnish. $18. <em><a href="http://www.torontolife.com/guides/bars_and_clubs/bars/suits-lobby-bar/">325 Bay St.,</a> 416-637-5550.</em>
At the new location of the <strong>Miller Tavern,</strong> bartender Aja Sax mixes for the the tie-loosening after-work crowd. She enriches spiced rum and Cointreau with nutmeg, cardamom syrup and a whole beaten egg yolk to create her rich artisanal eggnog, topped with a sweet egg jelly. $12. <em><a href="http://www.torontolife.com/guides/restaurants/seafood/miller-tavern_1567/">31 Bay St.,</a> 416-366-5544.</em>