There’s no question about it: the summer of 2020 will be unforgettable. As we weather the uncertainty brought into our lives by the Covid-19 pandemic, we are compelled to slow down and take things day by day.
Thankfully, there’s no reason to do without the delights of good food and glorious beverages as we break bread with our families and those in our “bubble.” At Collingwood-based Georgian Bay Spirit Co. an award-winning selection of spirits and ready-to-drink mixed beverages are prepped and waiting to be part of the festivities.
The company got its start back in 2013 when long-time business partners and friends Tim Keenleyside and Denzil (Denny) Wadds got together for their usual Friday night chitchat to talk over the week that was and brainstorm ideas for the future of their advertising agency. After successfully building brands for other companies for 15 years, Denny suggested it was time to put their know-how behind a product of their own, and as the men shared a love of spirits, they quickly settled on developing a new brand of gin and leapt into the unknown by pitching the idea to the LCBO without a firm recipe.
Inspired by the wild juniper and crystal-clear waters of their beloved Georgian Bay, Tim and Denny’s signature Georgian Bay Gin® is the award-winning result of the months of work that followed as Denny and Tim experimented with 48 different recipes, searching for the just the right mix of botanicals to reflect the experience of reclining under the sun on a chunk of granite in the bay.
In 2016 Tim and Denny were joined in partnership by Mark Cohon to help build Georgian Bay Spirit Co. into one of Canada’s most respected craft distillers’ brand it is today. Between Georgian Bay Gin® and Georgian Bay Vodka™, the company has amassed a slew of awards, including Double Gold for Georgian Bay Vodka™ in 2016 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Their product lineup now also includes mouth-watering cocktails in a can, including low-sugar Smashed Sodas™ in mandarin, lime, and strawberry flavours and the signature sellout Georgian Bay Original Gin Smash™. Add to that Cranberry Gin Smash™, Original Smashed Tea™, Original Vodka Smash™ and Raspberry Rhubarb Vodka Smash™ and you have everything you need to get the party—large or small—under way.
When asked about the driving force behind new drink offerings at Georgian Bay Spirit Co., Tim’s answer is refreshingly simple: “We really believe in great-tasting craft spirits and craft cocktails in a can.” The company looks to deliver on that promise while syncing with the trends of the day so that they can offer customers a range of products, including exactly what they’re looking for. With the recently launched Smash Soda™ line, for example, the company provides a low-sugar (3 grams per 473 mL can), low-calorie pre-mixed option in lime, strawberry, and mandarin flavours, perfect for a warm summer afternoon.
The Smashed Sodas™ also reflect a growing interest in unique flavour combinations. Witness strawberry paired with a hint of black pepper and mandarin with a whisper of cardamom. “We always try to make our craft cocktails in a can a little more sophisticated than just a single flavour,” says Tim. “It makes the tasting experience much more interesting.”
With people forced to spend so much time at home, there has been a notably heightened interest in making cocktails, which can be a fun way to connect with distant friends and family via a “Virtual Cocktail Hour.” Georgian Bay Spirit Co.’s distiller, Joshua Beach, explains that you don’t have to be a professional to make great drinks. “One of the things we want to do,” he explains, “is make cocktails a little more accessible to people.”
To that end, the Smash family of cocktails-in-a-can dresses up very nicely. Take the Raspberry Rhubarb Vodka Smash™, for example. To make Georgian Bay Spirit Co.’s “Spring Fizz,” mix it with some sparkling rosé and garnish with fresh raspberries and a lemon curl for an elegant sweet-tart cocktail that couldn’t be simpler to prepare but is sure to delight.
“Cocktails change flavour based on context,” Josh explains. “The same drink sipped by a roaring fire can taste different on the dock.” He encourages customers to get playful. “Try picking the perfect cocktail to pair with a particular movie, a book, or a takeout entrée,” he suggests. “Don’t be afraid to fail. Over time that’s how you’ll learn more about mixing drinks.”
It’s all part of the company’s overarching goal to bring people together in positive ways, especially during trying times. “One of our mantras,” explains Tim, “is to build connections.” That approach extends to the community, where Georgian Bay Spirit Co.’s Project Connect directs a portion of the company’s profits to fund organizations and initiatives that help our local communities and bring Canadians together. And to further support the Georgian Bay region during the pandemic, the company shifted gears to produce hand sanitizer for frontline workers. Roughly 25,000 bottles of hand sanitizer were donated to over 70 organizations in need in Muskoka and across Ontario. It was one way of giving back to the people who have taken pride in the homegrown success of the company and who everyone agrees are the real “spirit of Georgian Bay.”
You don’t need a tonne of supplies to stock a versatile cottage bar.
GLASSWARE: A set of Macallan glasses (open in the body, tulip shape at the top) is perfect for nosing and tasting. Also try to have standard tumblers and classic coupe glasses on hand. Tumblers are great for any drink that doesn’t need straining or shaking, while coupe glasses are ideal for drinks that do need to be strained or shaken and are served without ice.
ICE: Something you might overlook is the importance of ice. Mistakes with ice—too much, too little, or not the right kind—tend to be the number one reason a cocktail doesn’t meet expectations. Do a little research: different drinks benefit from crushed, large cube, or small cube ice. Remember, ice affects dilution and temperature and therefore the ultimate tasting experience.
LIQUIDS: Cover the basics with gin, vodka, rye, rum, and tequila. Beyond that, there are no rules. Something as simple as a single bitter can dramatically increase the number of cocktails you can make.
GARNISH: Keep a few herbs growing nearby. Between that and citrus peel, you’ll be able to make a simple garnish for most drinks. But if you want to be fancy, the sky’s the limit.
OTHER ESSENTIALS: Keep salt and sugar handy for rimming glasses.
Alyson McClean, the Spirits Ambassador and resident mixologist at Georgian Bay Spirit Co., put together these cocktails for us at HIDEAWAYS using fresh, local ingredients.
1.5 oz Georgian Bay Gin®
0.75 oz honey syrup*
0.75 oz lemon juice
Splash of dry cider (I chose Duntroon Cider for a local, dry cider)
Add all of the ingredients, except the cider, into a shake tin and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into a flute glass and pour a splash of cider to top it off. Garnish with a twist of lemon zest.
*Honey Syrup: Over a stovetop bring to a boil 1 cup of local honey, and 1 cup of water. Use a whisk to stir together gently. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes, then remove from heat and keep it chilled.
2 oz Georgian Bay Gin®
0.5 oz dry vermouth
1 oz lemon/lime juice blend
0.75 oz tarragon syrup*
Handful muddled cucumber
Grab a coupe glass, add water and ice and set aside to get your glass chilled. In a shaker tin, add a handful of diced cucumber and muddle 3-4 times. Pour in remainder of ingredients, add a scoop of ice, and shake for 15-20 seconds. Empty chilled coupe glass, and strain your cocktail into the glass. Garnish with fresh tarragon, or torch it slightly for a nice aroma.
*Tarragon Syrup: Over a stovetop bring to a boil 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. If you’re using fresh herbs, add in a couple sprigs. If you’re using dried herbs, add a couple tablespoons or a quarter cup, depending on how concentrated you want the flavour. Once it boils, turn the heat down to a simmer for 5 minutes, then take off of the heat and allow the herbs to sit in the sugar water for 20 minutes. With a fine strainer remove herbs from sugar and chill the tarragon syrup.
Looking for more great cocktail ideas? Visit us online at georgianbayspiritco.com/recipes for sublime summer (g)inspiration!
