City Living: Holiday Cocktails

Ok, ok, we know the posts have been a
little booze-heavy lately but what do you expect? Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa,
Christmukkah, Festivus and every other culturally inclusive holiday can lead us toward the
liquor cabinet. That said, why not share these tasty holiday cocktails with your family and keep everyone in a holly, jolly festive mood?

Winter Pimm’s

Just when we thought we wouldn’t be able to
enjoy another fresh and delicious Pimm’s cup until next summer, Firkin Pubs
comes along and offers a winter version. All you’ll need is an ounce of Pimm’s,
half an ounce of brandy, 1.5 ounces of apple juice and a squeeze of fresh
orange juice. Shake all the ingredients together and pour over ice. Garnish
with a cinnamon stick or orange wheel (or both, if you’re feeling fancy).  

Pimm’s cups all year-round! Image source.

Mulled Wine
Evoking feelings of comfort, spice and everything nice, mulled wine is essentially a winter version of sangria that has been around since the 1800s (read: people have been drinking during the holidays for centuries). In a pot, add a bottle of wine (or two), two ounces of brandy, a dash of Angostura bitters (see here for where to buy), two or three cloves, three cinnamon sticks, three whole star anise, three whole peppercorns, a sliced orange and a handful of cranberries. Heat until steaming and serve punch-style or pour into individual glasses. Tip: use a full-bodied wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz.

 Mmm, holiday in a cup. Image source.

Sidecar Reposado

“Tequila for the holidays?” you ask? Yes! Newly revamped REDS Wine Tavern has us covered for this simple winter cocktail. Combine 1.25 ounces of tequila, one ounce of Cointreau, half an ounce of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of egg white in a chilled shaker. Now shake it like a Polaroid picture and pour into a coupe glass. Top with lemon twist and a dash of orange bitters.

Tequila for the holidays, olé! Image source: REDS Wine Tavern.

Julep

This one comes courtesy of SPiN Toronto; another winter take on a Southern summer favourite. Can you can tell we’d trade in our jackets for jean shorts in a snap? Muddle three orange wedges with two bar spoons of brown sugar. Add ice, half an ounce of lemon juice, two ounces of peppermint tea, a dash of lemon bitters and (our favourite part) two ounces of Bulleit bourbon. Shake vigorously and serve in a mason jar topped with fresh mint and a wedge of orange.

This Julep is sure to make family dinners more fun. Image source: SPiN Toronto.

Hot Toddy

A classic cold weather drink, we’re sure Hot Toddies have cameo’d your holiday family gatherings. (Apparently they’re good for colds, wink wink.) In a mug, add one ounce of bourbon (but scotch or brandy will do too), a tablespoon of honey and two teaspoons of fresh lemon juice. Top off with hot water and stir until honey is dissolved.

Warm up with a classic Hot Toddy. Image source.

What’s your favourite holiday drink? Tweet us @rockitpromo.

Rave: Thanksgiving long weekend

One of our favourite holidays has arrived! It’s Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, and we couldn’t be happier to drive to our parent’s, in-laws or friends’ house for a feast and some soul-soothing hangouts this weekend.

Image source.

We are really excited to have a day off to be with our families and loved ones to share quirky family traditions (you know you’ve got ’em). 


No matter where you are headed this weekend, we hope you have a wonderful time and take a minute to reflect on the wonderful things in your life. 

Fashion-able: What to wear to a holiday party

When picking outfits for holiday parties, it can be hard to choose between all of the rich colours and sparkly pieces that show up this time of year. It’s a great opportunity to make a statement, but your audience still must be considered. What works for your family party will look a bit understated for a bash with your friends, and for work, keeping the boss in mind is important. 

Here is our guide for getting dressed for all of the great parties between now and the end of December. Hopefully, you’ll have an excuse to wear all types of outfits this holiday season.

Work Parties

Work parties can be tricky to dress for. You want to look great and show off your personal style to the people that you spend most of your waking hours with. It’s a perfect time to get more dressed up than you normally would for a work function. But, your boss will be there, and you still need to hang on to the respect of your coworkers (right?). 

Our solution is the LBD. Every girl needs a Little Black (party) Dress, and it’s a no-fail base outfit for the white wine and sliders you’ll munch on while trading work gossip. 

Diane von Furstenberg’s Arita Leather Dress ($595) with jersey paneling is the perfect LBD for any work holiday party. With padded shoulders and a scoop back, this dress can be worn for either a day or night event. It’s simple enough for a corporate party, but the panels and leather add a bit of interest. 

If you need to cover up to feel comfortable, try a knockout jacket like Thakoon’s fabulous Ruffle Cropped Jacket ($2,585). Covered in lovely layers of chiffon ruffles and lined in silk, this jacket is just right for a merry dandy holiday. Buy the real deal, or use it as inspiration for something more affordable.

Friends Parties

This is where you go all out. Holiday parties are the best chance to show off your amped-up style. Forget wearing basic jeans or a LBD here. Anything goes with your crew. 

The romper/jumpsuit trend has hit runways from Stella McCartney to Alexander Wang, and now is your chance to work it like Agyness Dean. We like BCBGeneration’s Cut-Out Sleeveless Jumpsuit ($49) to celebrate the holidays with friends. Be sure to pair with heels to keep your legs looking long and lean.

For a major splurge, top the jumpsuit with Alice + Olivia’s Luiza Embellished Jacket ($796) for a look that’s hip and shimmering. The sequined and double-breasted jacket has padded shoulders and extended front hem. Wear this outfit and cause major fashion envy.

Family Parties

Holiday season is sequin season; the more you wear, the better. Sequins add glitz to your otherwise more conservative style when hanging with your aunts and uncles.

To shine at a family party, try this Sequin Jersey Skirt by Kensie ($58). Wearing opaque black tights will keep you looking covered up, even with the slightly shorter length. Style it in an unexpected way (and keep it grandma-friendly) by pairing it with Helmut Lang’s Cropped Sweater ($360). 

For a black classic that’s anything but basic, this sheer knit sweater with hole detailing features ribbed edges and long sleeves. Your sister will surely have her eye on this dazzling skirt and cool sweater combination. Beware, she will raid your closet.

What are you wearing to holiday parties this year? Tweet us: @rockitpromo.