From gummy bear laced drinks to popcorn-topped bourbons, there are lots of creative options on Toronto’s cocktail scene. It seems that mixologists across the city are flexing their creative muscles and we’re not complaining. Here are the most creative cocktails in Toronto. [Photo credit courtesy of Figures]
Characters come to life on the Figures cocktail menu. The entire cocktail menu is based on superheroes and villains of classic comic books and folklore. The Maleficent drink in particular has been turning heads. It’s pitch black in colour and made with Bruichladdich single malt scotch, whisky, pineapple juice, cashew orgeat, lime and a topped with activated charcoal. You can also get Star Wars-themed drinks, Gambit-inspired tumblers and cocktails garnished with a lightning bolt orange peel in honour of The Flash.
A Harry Potter-themed bar is bound to have some creative cocktails on the menu, but one stands out from the rest, and it’s the Campfire Old Fashioned. The cocktail is made with Wild Turkey 101, Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters, house- made marshmallow syrup, topped with chocolate syrup and toasted marshmallow with a graham cracker rim. All that’s missing is the fire.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Shameful Tiki Bar made this list. Not only are the drinks packed with flavour, but there is an entire menu dedicated to massive drinks that are made to share. The menu consists of three bowls: Mystery bowl, Voodoo bowl and the Volcano bowl, all of which have top-secret recipes. Also, you can totally ask your server to make one to take-home.
Hunter’s Landing is home to one of the craziest Caesars in the city. The Landing Cure brings this Canadian cocktail to a whole other level. While the classic celery stick is in there, it may be hard to find due to the addition of lobster tail, pizza, jalapeno Havarti, bacon, fresh cut veggies and pickles.
Miss Thing’s Fuzzy Wawa is the tropics in a drink. The daiquiri is served in a coconut and is a mixture of Havana Club 3-year rum, coconut lemongrass sake, kaffir lime syrup and coconut bitters. It’s delicious and Instagram worthy!
Baro’s cocktail menu is filled with gems that include edible flowers, house-made cola syrup and more, but the standout is definitely the Iron Tyrant. What seems like a basic cocktail at first, made with roasted cacao-infused Ron Diplomatic, vanilla gomme, tincture of saffron, cherry cedar bitters and Tabaco essence, something special happens as it’s consumed. A toasted oak-infused ice cube melts as you drink it, adding a layer of smokiness to the robust cocktail.
Owner Frankie Solarik practically invented the creative cocktail on the Toronto bar scene. BarChef has been home to many innovations and unique takes on classic cocktail since it opened in 2008. From dry ice to new infusions to creating and serving “essence,” every cocktail on this menu deserves a mention.
This new Thai bistro is upping the cocktail game in Toronto. The now infamous Jolly Bear and Friend Kamikaze cocktail is turning heads, not only at the bistro, but on social media. The drink can be found in a boozy slushy bucket and is a mix of vodka, blue curacao, ginger ale and lime. The whole thing is topped with gummy bears!
A house original, the Netflix and Chill is available on the cocktail menu at SpiritHouse. This take on the famous saying is a sophisticated drink of popcorn- infused bourbon, amaro, lemon juice, orange reduction, apple cider, egg white and black walnut bitters. The drink comes topped with house popcorn.