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Evergreen Cocktails

Sprigs of rosemary, and a bit of spruce or cedar do wonders to kick up the festive flavour in holiday cocktails.

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Spruce Spritz

Not only is this drink spritzed with sparkling wine, but it also gets a final “spritz” of fragrant evergreen infusion. This cocktail is lovely made with either spruce or fir.

TIP
Use any extra Evergreen Infusion from this cocktail to spritz over London Fog lattes or add to cream during whipping, as you would with vanilla.





Cedar-Smoked Rye-Berry Cocktail

This drink layers on the woodsy cedar flavour three ways: in a festive syrup, in pretty ice cubes and as a smoke treatment used on the serving glass.

TIP
Use any extra Cranberry Cedar Syrup to sweeten a salad vinaigrette or spice up winter sangria or mulled wine.

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Rosemar-ita

If you love the bracingly fresh, almost minty sensation of fresh rosemary, this winter Margarita riff is for you.

TIP
Sprinkle any extra Rosemary Salt on shortbread, or add a wintry pinch to a Batanga (tequila and cola highball).

Evergreen 101
 

Spot Them

Pines have little bunches of long, thin needles. Bushy branches with single needles that roll between fingertips are likely spruce; fir needles are flat. Cedar fronds are flat and scaly.

Get Them

Snip evergreen twigs from your own trees, but choose branches above pet height! Or buy boughs at tree lots, flower shops or grocery and hardware stores over the holidays.

Prep Them

Dip branches in lightly soapy water to remove dust and dirt; rinse, and shake and air-dry. Remove brown needles or fronds. Split the bottom few centimetres of stems and place in water.