🕒 7.5 min read 

If any season is in need of a serious injection of colour and cocktails, it’s #Summer2020.

Toronto’s second annual Yorkville Murals Festival returned this month with an array of arresting murals, installations, exhibitions, engaging panels, DJs and block parties. 

Contemporary murals by acclaimed artists Bruno Billio, birdO, Jason Botkin, Jacquie Comrie, Jarus, Kirsten McCrea, and JinKe Wang add alluring vibrancy to the Taglialatella Galleries courtyard and fashionable nabe at large.

To celebrate the striking public works, romeo’s gin teamed up with nine top Toronto bartenders to create cocktails inspired by each piece:

Jamison Cass of El Rey | Juicy
Malik Deluy of The Drake | Plus De Fleurs
Adam Karpowicz of BlueBlood Steakhouse | Summer in Peru
Luis Martinez of El Catrin | Aqui En La Playa
Nishanta Nepulongoda of Sofia Restaurant & Bar/Ink Entertainment | The Mediterranean Sea
Alana Nogueda of The Shameful Tiki Room | Wind of Change
Maria Paterakis of À Toi | Harvest Queen
Christina Veira of Toronto Cocktail Week | One Last Fling
Tom Weihmayr of St. George’s Golf and Country Club | Love, Caesar

The collab is a natural fit. The Canadian spirit puts out striking limited edition bottles featuring works by local urban artists. And the brand’s commitment to celebrating creativity and non-conformity extends well beyond the packaging: Boasting a fascinating aromatic blend of juniper, lavender, cucumber, almond, dill and lemon, the Montreal gin elicits warm weather vibes, new adventures, and fresh starts. 

Tantalizing tipples by Toronto’s talented mixologists take your home bar game to the next level with sophisticated syrups, intricate bitters, and carefully thought out flavours. Don’t have some of the pro ingredients or accessories listed? Consider this a great excuse to level up your home bar and explore cocktail ingredients - perhaps add a new jigger, strainer or glassware to your collection. Pro tip: Building up your “inventory” will come in handy for both entertaining and the much-needed WFH happy hour. 

Start with these luscious libations below, created by three outstanding women:

ONE LAST FLING

Christina Veira, Director of Programming for Toronto Cocktail Week (just one of the roles she holds), created a riff on a classic 2:1 gin martini balanced out with rich almond syrup, and bright yuzu syrup. Inspired by Risk’s “use of air and space next to the bright colour, I wanted to make a drink that leaned into the brighter notes of romeo’s gin, especially the almond and lemon notes. The bitters add a bit of spice to round out the fruit and floral flavours of the other ingredients.”

Ingredients

1 ¾ oz of romeo’s gin
½ oz of Dry Vermouth, ideally Dolin Dry
¼ oz of Prosyro Orgeat Syrup, nut-free
¼ oz of Prosyro Yuzu Syrup
½ dropper of Ms. Better’s Bitters Mt Fugi
½ dropper of Ms. Better’s Bitters Black Pepper Cardamom
Garnish: Expressed lemon peel, served on side

Accessories

Mixing Glass
Jigger
Bar spoon
Strainer
Nick & Nora or Coupe glass

Preparation

Put all ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice.
Stir with a bar spoon.
Strain the cocktail in a coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
Express the lemon peel above the cocktail to release the essential oils.

HARVEST QUEEN 

Olo Volo’s mural reminds Maria Paterakis of À Toi of vintage folk art, but it’s modern as well. “The tranquil expression of the crowned young lady, as she’s surrounded by growth, evoked thoughts of summer harvests, sweet red berries, warm country baking, and bold earthy spices. 

I used Totem Strawberry and Falernum syrups to emulate the flavours found in strawberry pie. Manzanilla sherry helps to balance the sweetness, while leaning into the almond notes in romeo’s gin and falernum. The sumac kiwi bitters and cola bitters add earthiness, brightness, and a bit of nostalgia. With some acidity to balance it out, this cocktail, like the mural it represents, embodies many different components that unify beautifully.”

Ingredients

1 ½ oz of romeo’s gin
¾ oz of Manzanilla sherry
½ oz of Prosyro Totem Strawberry Syrup
½ oz of Prosyro Falernum Syrup
1 oz of fresh lemon juice
2 dashes of Ms. Better’s Bitters Sumac Kiwi
2 dash Ms. Better’s Bitters Cola

Garnish: Lemon, cloves, star anise and strawberry slices

Accessories

Shaker
Strainer
Cocktail sieve
Jigger
Highball glass

Preparation

Put all ingredients in the shaker, with ice.
Shake vigorously.
Double strain in a Highball glass, on new ice, and garnish with lemon, cloves, star anise and strawberry slices.

WIND OF CHANGE

Mixologist Alana Nogueda, Owner/Operator of Parkdale’s The Shameful Tiki Room, was inspired by the art of Mateo. “I see a strong woman with her scarf blowing. This world is full of negative and I see her empowering the positive, and the future of the Wind of Change.” She created a tantalizing tipple that’s also refreshing, perfect for summer night’s in the art-filled courtyard or in the backyard with friends and fam.

Ingredients

1 ½ oz of romeo’s gin
½ oz of Wray & Nephew Over Proof Rum
1 ½ oz of fresh orange juice
1 oz of fresh lemon juice
½ oz of Prosyro Ruby Fassionola Syrup
½ oz of Prosyro Falernum Syrup
4 dashes of aromatic bitters
4 drops of Pernod Ricard

Garnish: Orange wheel and fresh mint

Accessories

Shaker
Strainer
Cocktail sieve
Jigger
Highball glass

Preparation

Put all the ingredients in a shaker, filled with ice.
Shake vigorously.
Double strain into a Highball glass, on new ice.
Garnish with an orange slice and a mint sprig.

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Visit romeo’s gin for more #ARTOFGIN Cocktails.

Are you a bartender working in a restaurant/bar in the Toronto/GTA? Think you have what it takes to get your cocktail in the Ultimate Guide? Submit your name for consideration.

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