If you’ve never taken a bartending class, mixing a cocktail might sound intimidating—especially if you don’t even own a cocktail shaker. Luckily, there are tons of restaurants across the GTA that have started packaging their signature cocktails into neat and tidy DIY cocktail kits that you can make at home. If a vodka cranberry or a basic vodka soda is still your go-to drink during lockdown, here are four restaurants to check out that will take your at-home cocktail game to the next level.
Minami
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King West’s new Japanese favourite, Minami, recently started packaging their Aburi cocktails into DIY kits. There are four kits to choose from, all of which are priced at $22 and serve two people. The Shinjuku Cocktail Kit, for example, features Aburi Ginjo sake, Lychee liqueur, grapefruit syrup and cotton candy for a playful added touch. The Miku Negroni Cocktail Kit is a twist on an old classic made with Beefeater gin, Campari, Dolin’s Rouge vermouth, Yama Yuzu sake and a dehydrated orange wheel. While the Shinjuku is the only cocktail that requires a shaker, Minami’s in-house mixologist, Nick, has also added some tips via the restaurant’s website that will help you craft the perfect cocktail.
Patois
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Patois lets customers recreate their favourite Caribbean drinks at home with four cocktail kits on offer that can accompany any delivery order. Ranging in price from $36 to $38, each cocktail kit serves four people. The Patois Rum Punch is a blend of Appleton Estate Signature Blend swirled with Wray & Nephew white rum and pimento dram liqueur, orange, guava, pineapple and lime juices. The Sorrel Hot Toddy kit is a soul-warming combination of Appleton Estate and Sorrel syrup infused with mulling spices, osprey bluffs honey, chamomile and cinnamon sticks. Patois also offers a take-home version of its addicting No Bad Days sangria, made with wine from Rosewood Estates.
The Agave Bottle Shop by El Catrin
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For those missing vacations right about now, the Agave Bottle Shop by El Catrin has you covered for a taste of Mexico. Alongside a wide selection of mezcals and tequilas that you can’t find anywhere else in Ontario, the Agave Bottle Shop sells a take-home Margarita Kit. For $169, each kit contains a 750mL bottle of Herradura Reposado (a retail price of $75.25) and a 375mL bottle of Cointreau (a retail price of $20.95), agave nectar, fresh lime juice and salt. The best part? El Catrin even includes your very own cocktail shaker and two El Catrin branded margarita glasses, all tucked into a soft cooler bag.
Salty Paloma
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If you’re looking for your new favourite cocktail, look no further than Salty Paloma, which has 12 different cocktail kits, including a non-alcoholic option. Kits start at $72 and cap at $80 (except the non-alcoholic one which goes for $55). For the month of February, Salty Paloma is selling its “All About Love” Valentine’s Day-themed kit ($105), which lets you choose between a 375mL bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin, Woodford Reserve bourbon or Grey Goose vodka as your spirit base. No matter which liquor you choose, each kit comes with all the ingredients and recipe cards for three different drinks plus a bonus cocktail with Reif Icewine and Belgian white chocolate popcorn. For long-term cocktail lovers, Salty Paloma has also launched the Stay At Home Cocktail Club, a subscription-based cocktail service. Every month, you’ll receive three new recipes and ingredients that are enough for nine full-sized drinks. Alcohol is not included, but a free cocktail class is held on the last Saturday of the month.