Cool weather cocktails

By Sebastien Centner @sebcentner @eatertainment

As summer turns into fall and eventually fall turns into winter we like to adjust our go-to cocktail to reflect the season and the move to more indoor entertaining.

For this issue I am featuring four of my favourite cocktails, ranging from classic to contemporary. While they have been designed for the fall and winter seasons, I think you might like them enough to add them to your cocktail repertoire any time of year.

The first two cocktails feature darker, richer liqueurs to celebrate the fall colours and flavours. The next two cocktails bring back two of the most classic martinis I know; the espresso martini and the cosmopolitan—both perfectly suited to warm your guests up on cold winter evenings.

Enjoy and as always make sure to let us know what you think!

Fernet & Vermouth Fall Martini

• 1 1⁄2 oz gin
• 1 1⁄2 oz sweet vermouth
• 1⁄2 tsp Fernet Branca
• Orange twist, for garnish
Stir gin, sweet vermouth and Fernet Branca
over ice—do not shake. Strain into a chilled champagne coupe. Garnish with an orange twist.

Boulevardier Fall Cocktail

• 1 1⁄2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 1 oz sweet or semi-sweet vermouth
• 1 oz campari
• Ice, orange peel for garnish
Stir bourbon whiskey, vermouth and campari. Strain over ice into an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with an orange peel.

Winter Espresso Martini

• 1 1⁄3 oz vodka
• 2⁄3 oz Kahlua
• 2⁄3 oz espresso (regular or decaf) • Coffee beans for garnish

Let espresso cool to room temp then add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously then strain into martini glass and top with coffee beans for garnish.

Classic Cosmopolitan Martini

• 1 1⁄2 oz vodka
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1⁄2 oz Cointreau
• 1⁄2 oz simple syrup (optional) • Lime for garnish

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously then strain into martini glass and top with lime curl for garnish.

*All the above recipes make one drink.

The party always ends up in the kitchen, so pour yourself a cocktail,
press play and dance the night away … www.mixcloud.com/sebandsheila, and follow Seb & Sheila on instagram @sebandsheila.

Get our newsletter

Get monthly updates with unique HomeFront updates and stay up to date with tips and trends

Al Fresco luncheon

There’s something so special about gathering under the sun with good friends and great food. We recently attended an al fresco luncheon at Kamalame Cay, an intimate and exclusive resort in Bahamas where they kept things relaxed but elegant—just the

Favourite Things

Automobili Italiane From Concorso Roma—a grand 3 day gathering of the rarest and most significant historic Italian cars hosted by Anatara Palazzo Naia di Rome Hotel.Photo: Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel The power of colour Full of vibrant contrasts these

Forty-winks in style

Making the best of its enviable reputation, the Drake Devonshire in Prince Edward County seems as popular as ever during my recent visit. Expanding this year to add more rooms, the retro chic property in Wellington remains one of those

A grain, or two, of boldness

While some prefer to play it safe, rather than take on new things, there’s something to be said for having a sense of adventure and an audacious approach to everyday life. In the world of design, magic happens when you’re

Fall flavours in your glass

Several of this month’s selections are available exclusively from top-notch Ontario wineries. You can order these wines from the websites noted or by calling the wineries. They’ll ship directly to your doorstep. This is an important way you can support

Liquid Assets adds pop and pizazz

Immersive surfaces Breaking the barriers of the flat wall and engaging the sense, Karim Rashid’s infostethic patterns are dynamic and interactive. They respond to user input or changing conditions. Karim Rashid for WallPepper   Dahlia May Remarkable chemical-free, specialty cut