“I love adding cider to my cocktail recipes, because it’s just so fresh! Its acidity helps create a complex and interesting balance when mixed with other ingredients,” explains Vincent Vaillancourt-­Séguin.

The rosé cocktail

The rosé cocktailThe rosé cocktail

Ingredients

120 ml (4 oz.) Vergers Petit & Fils sparkling rosé cider
30 ml (1 oz.) cranberry syrup
1 drop cherry bitters

Preparation

  1. Pour cider directly into a wine glass or champagne flute.
  2. Carefully add cranberry syrup and cherry bitters. The syrup will settle at the bottom of the glass, creating a gorgeous gradient colour.
  3. Garnish with a few basil leaves and lemon zest.
  4. Enjoy!

The sparkling cocktail

Les Vergers de la Colline still rosé ciderLes Vergers de la Colline still rosé cider

Ingredients

60 ml (2 oz.) Les Vergers de la Colline still rosé cider
30 ml (1 oz.) Ungava gin
30 ml (1 oz.) strawberry and ginger syrup
30 ml (1 oz.) lemon juice
2 drops lemon and ginger bitters
Soda

Preparation

  1. In a 12 oz. Collins or Zombie glass, add all ingredients and stir using a bar spoon.
  2. Garnish with a flower for an added burst of freshness.
  3. Enjoy!

Monsieur Calijo

Michel Jodoin apple brandyMichel Jodoin apple brandy

Ingredients

60 ml (2 oz.) Michel Jodoin apple brandy
30 ml (1 oz.) spiced apple syrup
2 drops orange Angostura

Preparation

  1. In an old-fashioned glass, stir together all ingredients using a bar spoon.
  2. Add a few ice cubes at a time, in order to avoid diluting the drink.
  3. Garnish with an orange zest and a star anise.
  4. Enjoy!

Fantastic finds

Looking to stock up on bitters and syrups so that you can recreate these drinks at home? Several specialty shops offer an interesting variety of syrups and bitters made by some of the finest mixologists. Find them at:

Lab Comptoir à Cocktails: barlelab.com
Alambika: alambika.ca