With the Olympic Games dominating the international scene over the next several weeks, there’s no better way to get in the spirit of the games than celebrating with spirits! That’s right, we’re tackling some international cocktails to pair with watching your favourite event take place in PyeongChang.
Apple Soju
Let’s begin by giving the host country some respect and raising a glass of Korea’s favourite spirit, Soju. You can make a batch of this to serve while hosting viewing parties.
Ingredients:
- 1 Granny Smith apple
- 2 cups soju
- 5 cups chilled tonic water
- 8 lime wedges
Method: Cut apple into thin matchsticks, then put in a pitcher and stir in soju. Let chill for at least 30 minutes. Fill a double Old Fashioned glasses with ice. Strain about 1/4 cup soju into each glass, then add some apple pieces to each glass. Top off drink with tonic and serve with lime wedges.
Compliment Cocktail
Next up, we pay our respects to the country with the highest collective medal count for the Winter Olympics, Norway. Akvavit scares a lot of drinkers, but if applied properly, it can be a wonderful spirit as with this recipe by Hardeep Rehal, bartender at Bar Rouge in Copenhagen.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz Gin
- 3/4 oz Akvavit
- 2 dashes maraschino liqueur
- 1 sprig dill
Method: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add gin, aquavit and maraschino liqueur; shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish with dill and serve.
Citius, Altius, Fortius
With the world’s best athletes competing for the ultimate recognition, the Olympic motto of Citius, Altius, Fortius rings true (Faster, Higher, Stronger). In that spirit, Jason Littrell from Death & Co. in New York created this cocktail to pair a number of international spirits together.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Bluecoat Gin (US)
- 1/2 oz Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth (France)
- 1/2 oz Martini & Rossi Sweet Vermouth (Italy)
- 2 Dashes The Bitter Truth Orange Bitters (Germany)
- Teaspoon Kubler Absinthe (Switzerland)
- Teaspoon Crown Royal Whisky (Canada)
- Teaspoon simple syrup (1 part sugar, 1 part water)
Method: Add the ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice and stir. Serve the drink in a cocktail glass with an orange wedge.
The Gold Medal
At the end of the day, this is a competition, and everyone is striving for the moment they have that shiny gold meal around their neck. Fortunately you can just make a gold medal at home and save yourself all that effort.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Gin
- 1/2 oz Cointreau
- 1 oz orange juice
- 1 oz pineapple juice
Method: Combine ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
The Olympic Ring Cocktail
Finally, nothing is more recognizable from the Olympic Games than the signature Olympic rings. This cocktail recreates the look of the rings, perfect for opening or closing ceremonies.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz of Grenadine Syrup
- 1/2 oz Cointreau
- 1 oz Blue Curaçao
- 1 oz Midori
- 1/2 oz Lime Juice
Method: Pour ingredients slowly, in order listed, into a chilled martini glass.
Ale/Sessions 