Two Great Canadian Cocktails for the Summer Patio

Since Canada is our homeland and all, here two new cocktails that embrace the Great Canadian palate…but blended with Luksusowa Vodka, a Polish spirit. This was my first time trying Luksusowa, which is triple distilled and made with artisanal water. It differs from the traditional counterparts by containing specially-cultivated potatoes and it is one of the world’s purest vodkas. Sounds pretty good, eh?

The BBQ Caesar

First, I made a BBQ Caesar which is a twist on the traditional Canadian classic. Use 2-3 oz. of the vodka, 5 tsp. of fresh lemon juice, 2 tsp. of BBQ sauce, 4 dashes of Worcestershire sauce, 2 pinches of salt, 2 pinches of pepper, and tomato juice. Rim the glass with lemon and dipped into seasoning, and then pour the ingredients into a mixing container. Using a second container, pour the mix back and forth 3-4 times between the two. Get a glass, add a few ice cubes and voila!

Sipping the BBQ Caesar, my first taste was the salty Caesar rimmer with a hint of acidity from the lemon. My second sip was a smooth and well seasoned Caesar with a robust taste of BBQ. The BBQ sauce was just right and it didn’t overpower the drink. Initially, I was afraid that the drink may not be salty enough, but the pinches of salt were just right to please my palate. It’s not a spicy as traditional Caesars, but surprisingly, I didn’t miss the heat. Overall, I really liked this spin on one of my favourite classic cocktails.

The Maple Glaze Martini

I’m not a huge fan of martinis and I don’t think I’ve had one since I was 19. Despite this, I was curious to try again with the Maple Glaze Martini with no preconceived expectations. I poured 1.5 oz of the vodka and 1 tsp. of Grade A maple syrup into a stirring glass and I stirred it with cubed ice until it was cold and balanced. I strained the ingredients into a chilled cocktail glass and finished it off with a zest of orange.

When I first sipped the Maple Glaze, I was initially expecting a strong sweet maple flavour. Instead, I could taste the distinct flavour of Luksusowa Vodka coated with a subtle hint of maple. The orange zest added a nice flavour at the end of my palate. The vodka was stronger than I anticipated and not as sweet. The recipe elevates the nostalgic maple syrup to an adult and mature level.

Overall, I found both recipes to be unique and a great addition to the Great Canadian Summer Patio. Personally, I preferred the BBQ Caesar with its more subtle flavour, but if you are searching for a stronger vodka taste then consider the Maple Glaze. Both cocktails pair nicely with Lususowa Vodka on a hot summer day.

The writer was provided with a sample of Luksusowa Vodka. The company did not review or approve this article.

SAMANTHA OSADUKE is a freelance writer and you can check out her blog here. She enjoys watching The Food Network and the way to her heart is through food.