When you think of a classically ‘Canadian’ cocktail, what do you think of? The Caesar – right? Well considering I already covered the art of the perfect Caesar on the Victoria Day weekend, I went on an e-hunt for a second cocktail idea that felt très Canadienne to commemorate Canada Day this Monday. When I saw the words ‘maple syrup’, BOOM! I knew I had found it. On a side note it’s pretty crazy that after all this time we are still mostly only known for maple syrup, beavers and saying ‘eh’…which I totally do.

Well, I guess I am only further strengthening our national stereotype, because here it is in all its glory – L’Habitant cocktail! According to the National Post, this signature drink dates back to the heyday of Le Château Frontenac in the 1960’s. It’s like putting Mad Men in a glass and then stirring it up with a Canadian swizzle stick. Oooh, yeah…

You’ll need:

– 1 1/2 oz bourbon (the original recipe calls for cognac, but I had bourbon on hand and well, I’m no dark liquor connoisseur so I justified the substitution rather quickly. If you have cognac, go for it!)

– 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

– 1/2 oz maple syrup (obviously)

– a few ice cubes

– 1 Maraschino cherry for garnish

What now?:

– Pour bourbon, lemon juice, and maple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake, shake, shake it up!

– Strain into your manliest glass.

– Add cherry, because even Mad Men like sweet sweet Maraschino cherries.

Happy Canada Day! | Bonne fête du Canada! (fist pump to using my 14 years of French Immersion education)

xo Ali