Canada Day Cocktails & Mocktails

Nothing says "Happy Birthday Canada!" like a cold drink on a hot day (July 1st, to be exact). Try these thirst-quenching, country celebrating cocktails at your Canada Day festivities. Cheers!

Maple Glaze: This drink, which pays tribute to one of our home and native land’s best-known ingredients, is the brain child of Luksusowa Vodka—premium, Polish and gluten free, with a mild, clean and slightly fruity, creamy taste. to make it, combine 1.5 oz vodka and 1 tsp maple syrup in a stirring glass, and stir with ice cubes until cold and balanced. Strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass and garnish with orange zest. www.luksusowavodka.com

Walter Caesar: The beloved Caesar has become problematic for many health-conscious Canadian citizens. Have no fear—the Walter Caesar is here! Created by Brutus Beverages in Vancouver, Canada’s first all-natural craft Caesar mix comes in well- and mildly spiced varieties and does the same thing traditional mixes do, only without any of the MSG, colouring or high-fructose corn syrup. In fact, we think it may even do it better. http://waltercaesar.com

Maple Julep Mocktail: From the LCBO’s Deflate the Elephant website—a great resource for responsible hosting ideas—comes this Canada Day un-cocktail. Simply fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add 2 oz white cranberry juice, 1/4 oz maple syrup and a handful of mint. Shake sharply and strain into a glass of crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig. www.deflatetheelephant.com

Happy Canada Day! —Noa Glouberman