Debbie’s Holiday Picks
Seventh Heaven London Dry Gin
Canada’s Seventh Heaven London Dry Gin opens with bright elderberry and crisp apple notes, moving into a smooth, peppery juniper core. The finish lingers dry and complex, layered with citrus zest, floral herbs, and a subtle hint of green tea and thyme. A refined choice for cocktail lovers, this gin shines in classics such as the Martini and Negroni.
Elevate your holiday brunch with a cocktail that’s as festive as the season itself. The Pineapple-Elderflower 75 combines the elegance of a classic French 75 with a bright, tropical twist. Sweet pineapple and delicate elderflower create a refreshing, celebratory sip that’s easy to make and guaranteed to impress your guests.
Having a few non-alcoholic beverages during the holidays ensures everyone feels included. Try the mocktail version of the Pineapple-Elderflower 75—a refreshing, elegant alternative that guests will love.
Pineapple-Elderflower 75
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Seventh Heaven Dry Gin
- 0.75 oz St-Germain Elderflower
- 0.75 oz Fresh pineapple juice
- 0.25 oz Fresh lemon juice (adjust to taste)
- 3–4 oz Chilled Vitteaut Alberti Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs Brut or any dry sparkling wine
- Garnish: Dehydrated lemon wheel or lemon twist
Instructions
- Prep: Chill a champagne flute or coupe glass in the freezer.
- Shake: In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, elderflower liqueur, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. Add ice and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain: Pour into the chilled glass.
- Top: Add Vitteaut Alberti Cremant
- Garnish: Finish with a lemon wheel or twist.
Pineapple-Elderflower Fizz Mocktail
Ingredients
- ½ pineapple, peeled and cubed (plus extra cubes for garnish)
- ½ cup (125 ml) Elderflower syrup. Elderflower syrup is available in some grocery stores. If unavailable, substitute with simple syrup
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup (250 ml) ice cubes (plus extra for serving)
- Plain or lemon-flavoured sparkling water
- Pineapple leaves, for decoration
Instructions
- Purée the pineapple with elderflower syrup, lemon juice, and ice until smooth.
- Fill tulip glasses (or any tall glass) with ice. Pour in the pineapple mixture.
- Top each glass with sparkling water.
- Thread 4–6 pineapple cubes onto cocktail sticks and use as garnish. Add a pineapple leaf for a festive touch.
Gahan Cherry Picked Chocolate Stout
When it comes to giving this festive season, look no further than your own backyard! This year Gahan House has crafted a beer perfect for the holidays. The Gahan House Cherry Stout is a brew that greets you with aromas of rich malt and a whisper of fruity hops. Each sip reveals layers of chocolate malt and real cherries, finishing smooth and indulgent.
Full-bodied with a gentle smoky depth—reminiscent of a Black Forest cake in liquid form. A decadent treat for cozy nights and festive cheer. Treat yourself or share the cheer—available for a limited time!
Tomato Wheels Lambrusco
Make your holidays sparkle with Lambrusco, Italy’s iconic sparkling red wine. The Tomato Wheels Lambrusco bursts with vibrant notes of blueberry and violet, balanced by a delicate tannic structure. Naturally fermented and low in alcohol, it’s the perfect sip for festive wrapping sessions with family and friends.
Lambrusco is ideal for a variety of holiday gatherings. Its fruity and slightly sparkling nature complements the richness of cheeses and meats. It’s a versatile wine choice for a wide range of classic Italian fare—pizza, Bolognese, prosciutto, Parmigiano Reggiano or for a bold twist pair with fruit tarts or chocolate mousse.
Deep Roots Maple Cream
‘Tis the season to Love Local, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a bottle of Deep Roots Maple Cream. This indulgent treat is rich, creamy, and infused with the sweet, warm kick of pure maple. Crafted with the distillery’s award-winning Maple Liquor, locally sourced maple syrup, and luscious cream, it’s the perfect addition to your holiday festivities. Enjoy it on the rocks, swirl it into hot chocolate or coffee, or elevate your favourite Christmas cocktail with its decadent flavour.
Try it in Debbie’s Polar Bear Espresso Martini Cocktail Recipe:
Warm up your holiday celebrations with a festive twist on the classic Espresso Martini. The Polar Bear Espresso Martini combines the smoothness of Deep Roots Ocean Pearl Vodka, the richness of freshly brewed espresso, and the sweet indulgence of Deep Roots Maple Cream, topped with a sprinkle of peppermint.
Ingredients
- 1.75 oz Deep Roots Ocean Pearl Vodka
- 1 oz Fresh Espresso
- ¾ oz Deep Roots Maple Cream
- Ice
- 3 Whole Espresso Beans
- Peppermint sprinkles (for garnish)
Method
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine vodka, espresso, and maple cream.
- Shake until well-chilled.
- Strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass.
- Garnish with espresso beans and a dusting of peppermint sprinkles.
Bottega Gold Prosecco
The Bottega Prosecco comes dressed to impress in all its golden holiday splendor. This classic premium quality wine is perfect for ringing in the New Year and will bring a festive touch to any holiday gathering.
The Bottega is fresh and crisp with floral, citrus and pear aromas. It has a bright and lively character with a creamy texture and crunchy orchard fruit on the palate. This Italian bubbly pairs well with raw fish dishes, risotto and prosciutto.
Treat yourself to a New Year’s Eve feast of Bottega Gold Prosecco and a PEI Smoked Salmon and Oyster Bar.
Santa Margherita Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The Season of Sparkle gets a bit brighter with a glass of Santa Margherita bubbly in your glass! This is a dry prosecco with aromas of delicate pear, pink grapefruit and apple notes. There are fine lively bubbles on the palate with minerality and bright lemon notes on the finish. The Santa Margherita is produced in the stunning Valdobbiadene region of Veneto, Italy. It offers outstanding value in the world of sparkling wine.
The Santa Margherita has an amazing affinity to pair with a variety of food flavors and textures. This bubbly is a perfect companion to prosciutto, seafood or Christmas brunch frittata. Try adding Santa Margherita Prosecco in the Sparkling Pomegranate Punch recipe.