Cozy Flavours, Seasonal Ingredients & Elevated Cocktail Techniques
Fall 2024 marked the beginning of a new chapter for our Cocktail Classes at Reid’s Distillery. After hearing consistent feedback from returning guests throughout 2023 and early 2024, we realized people were excited not only to revisit the experience, but to continue learning new cocktails, flavour combinations, and bartending techniques each time they attended.
That insight inspired us to begin rotating our Cocktail Class menus seasonally — creating experiences that reflected the flavours, moods, and ingredients of each season while keeping the classes fresh and engaging for returning guests.
Our Fall 2024 lineup embraced warm spices, rich espresso, maple, apple, and herbaceous flavours designed for cooler weather and cozy evenings. These cocktails focused on layering flavours, experimenting with texture, and introducing guests to techniques like muddling herbs, balancing rich ingredients, and creating elevated garnishes.
Chocolate Espresso Martini
A rich and velvety fall cocktail combining espresso, coffee liqueur, chocolate bitters, and Reid’s Signature Gin.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Reid’s Signature Gin
- 1 oz Kahlúa
- 1 oz Espresso
- 2 dashes Aztec Chocolate Bitters
Garnish
3 coffee beans & cinnamon
Method
- Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously until chilled and frothy.
- Strain into a martini glass.
- Garnish with coffee beans and a light dusting of cinnamon.
Glassware
Martini Glass
Pomegranate Basil Smash
A bright and herbaceous cocktail balancing tart pomegranate with fresh basil and floral St-Germain.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Reid’s Spiced Gin
- 2 oz Pomegranate Juice
- 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
- 0.5 oz St-Germain
Method
- Add fresh basil and pomegranate juice into a rocks glass.
- Gently muddle the basil into the juice to release aromatics.
- Add remaining ingredients to a shaker and shake without ice.
- Pour over a king cube in the prepared rocks glass.
Glassware
Rocks Glass
Maple Coriander Citrus Sour
A fall-inspired sour featuring warming maple, coriander, apple, and bright citrus notes.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Reid’s Citrus Gin
- 1 oz Maple Coriander Syrup
- 0.5 oz Aperol
- 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
- 2 oz Apple Juice
Garnish
Dehydrated apple
Method
- Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Dirty pour into a wine glass.
- Garnish with dehydrated apple.
Glassware
Wine Glass
Our Fall 2024 Cocktail Classes highlighted the balance between comforting seasonal flavours and approachable cocktail techniques. From espresso foam and fresh herb muddling to layered maple and citrus notes, these recipes helped guests build confidence behind the bar while celebrating everything we love about fall cocktail season.
