The question on everyone’s mind: Why can’t all weekends be 3 days? Spring is here, while basking in the sun on a patio may not be possible there’s no reason you can’t enjoy these light and refreshing cocktails at home to kick start the long weekend.

From a vodka and grapefruit to mojitos and spritz’, these remixes draw inspiration from some of the classics.

RECIPES

Northern Keep
Northern Keep isn’t just any vodka. Crafted from the finest, locally sourced ingredients grown in our own backyard, Northern Keep is made using a mix of Canadian rye and winter wheat. It’s distilled five times for exceptional smoothness and boasts notes of orange peel and light rye spiciness, with a clean, crisp finish.  

Grapefruit Hibiscus 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 oz. hibiscus tea (unsweetened and chilled)
6 basil leaves (plus additional sprig for garnish)

Muddle basil leaves in shaker and add the rest of your ingredients. Shake well and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a sprig of basil.

Keep it Cool

Ingredients:
1oz (30mL) Northern Keep Vodka 
0.5oz (15mL) Lime Juice (or half of a lime squeezed in) 
Grapefruit Soda 

Build in a Rocks glass filled with ice
Half salt rim (optional) 
Lime wedge garnish 

Drawing inspiration from the classic Mojito, this cocktail has a fun twist of blueberry for freshness and bite and Hennessy V.S.O.P for its unique blend and depth of flavour.

Blueberry Mojito Cocktail

1.5 oz of Hennessy V.S.O.P
.5 oz of Simple Syrup
.25 oz Lime Juice
Top with Soda Water
Blueberries
Garnish: Mint sprig and blueberries

Shake all liquid except soda water in a shaker with 4 blueberries. Shake until blueberries are bruised. Strain into a Collins glass with fresh ice and top with soda water. Garnish with a sprig of mint and blueberries.

Crisp notes from the citrus of lemon and limes paired with the smooth elegant structured profile of Belvedere with hints of almond, vanilla, and white pepper give this Spritz a velvety clean finish.

Belvedere Citrus Spritz

1 oz Belvedere Vodka
1 oz Dry Vermouth
3 Lemon Slices
2 Lime Slices
Sparkling Water
Tonic Water

Combine all ingredients in a spritz glass over ice. Top with equal parts of sparkling water and tonic water.