As with all Alo Food Group destinations - Alo, Alobar, and soon Salon - Aloette oozes sophistication, but with a more casual vibe befitting the bustling Queen and Spadina block. Drinks and dishes however, remain elegantly elevated. 

Whether you’re tucking into comfort classics (Burger & Fries $20, Fried Chicken $28), refined victuals (Iceberg Wedge $16, Duck Confit $38), or opulent delicacies (Sea Urchin $20), a polished cocktail (or two) is definitely in order.

Mary Donison, head of Aloette’s bar program, has created an array of exhilarating tipples to enjoy on their own and alongside the fine French bistro fare by chef/owner Patrick Kriss and team. 

Donison’s sippers are très sophistiqué. Take the Sour Cover Up ($14) for instance, made with Tanqueray, Bellwoods sour brew, strawberry apéritif, and coriander. And Allez! ($14) featuring Calvados, aromatized wine, light vermouth, French liqueur China China, and Angostura Bitters.

Fascinating concoctions don’t stop there: The Scotch whisky-based Early Flight ($14) boasts delicate pear and citrus notes, while Take Three ($14) will delight mezcal enthusiasts with its smoky leanings mingling with Madeira, spiced cherry, egg white, and citrus.

Lucky for us, Bare Necessities ($14), a risqué play on the song from The Jungle Book, is not confined solely to the restaurant. The riff on a Jungle Bird, a classic that Donison believes “no one could truly dislike,” is bitter, balanced, and easy to recreate at home.

Bare Necessities

1.5oz Havana 7 Year Rum
0.5oz Campari 
1oz Lemon Juice
1oz Pineapple Turmeric Syrup*
4 generous dashes of Angostura bitters as a float 

*Note: The Pineapple Turmeric syrup utilizes a cold press juice carried at the restaurant in a 1:1 ratio with sugar, though Donison assures home bartenders, “this can be substituted for pineapple juice and simple syrup.” The turmeric, though subtle, sets this recipe apart.

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Aloette
163 Spadina Ave.
(416) 260-3444

Hours
Daily 11:30am - 10:30pm

For more cocktail recipes, visit Toronto Restaurants Ultimate Cocktail Guide.