With so much to see and so much to do over the The Toronto International Film Festival ® as stars touch down in Toronto, one of the most important things to note is where you can go to unwind and enjoy some down time amid the running around. I know that for the DoTheDaniel & FASHIONIGHTS team members, we will be looking to find the best space to enjoy a much needed cocktail and some food to nibble on pre and post events. Luckily for us all, Shangri-La Hotel Toronto has got a brand new #TIFF14 inspired cocktail menu with seven delicious drinks for your enjoyment. Recently Julio & I had the chance to sit down and taste several of these creations and I’m excited to tell you about the top 3 I believe will best compliment your TIFF experience. Come & see why here!
For those of you who read my top 6 must try Restaurants in Toronto for the 2014 TIFF season, you’ll note that Bosk was listed. Be it for its delicious menu, well crafted drinks or stunning decor… you can usually find Julio & I here when we aren’t running around the city keeping up with a busy schedule. The newly launching TIFF inspired cocktail menu will feature 7 new creations designed and crafted exclusively for TIFF and available in the Lobby Lounge of the hotel.
Amid the ambiance of lavender scented air, fireplaces and live music, Shangri-La Hotel Toronto has truly hit the mark with this year’s TIFF inspiration. You should all definitely stay tuned to @FASHIONIGHTS, @ShangrilaTO & @DoTheDaniel’s Twitter & Instagram accounts this Friday for yet another huge TIFF announcement. I can’t ruin the surprise but it’s going to be a doozy. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself… Let’s take a look at my top 3 #TIFF14 inspired cocktails:
Le Fizz
There is nothing that makes me think of glitz & glamour more then a champagne inspired cocktail. In a beautiful champagne flute Grey Goose, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Chambord, Perrier Jouet Champagne & Fresh lemon juice combine to make a citrus driven beverage to cheers any occasion. Be it the celebrities you see in the hotel lobby with friends while noshing before a screening or the end of a perfect night of events, Le Fizz is my choice for crowd pleaser on this star studded cocktail menu.
Passion Fruit Caiprioska
A modern twist on the classic cocktail which normally combines Lime, Mint & Vodka, this TIFF inspired version in fact adds several more tropical flares to the mix. In a mason jar (Catherine, if you were still drinking you would LOVE this one!) Passion Fruit Juice, Grey Goose Vodka, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup & Lemon juice created a drink that certainly packs a punch. Garnished elegantly with a slice of Dragon Fruit, this drink epitomizes the tropical flavour of the entire menu and is not only delicious but beautiful as well! Be mindful of the fact that although its flavours are mild, it is quite alcoholic and I would recommend slowly sipping this one after a night out enjoying your very own TIFF adventures.
New Zealand Martini
This was for sure the favourite of all the cocktails Julio & I got to try and I can almost guarantee the celebrities attending the 2014 TIFF season will gravitate towards this option. In a martini glass, Grey Goose Vodka, St Germain, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Lime Juice and Fresh Kiwi juice combine to create the perfect balance between sweet and acidic. With a star fruit garnish, this martini will certainly turn heads as it is held in hand and enjoyed over snacks from the Lobby Lounge menu or and after work pre-screening with your friends. Julio loved it so much I had to stop him from enjoying a second during our recent preview. We had work to do after all! Luckily for us, the next time we return during the 2014 TIFF adventures we have scheduled, I can allow him to unwind with a few of these in hand and I encourage you to do the same.
Speaking of snacks, we couldn’t help but resist ordering some delicious nibbles from the Lobby Lounge Menu. Some of our favourites can be seen below. My personal picks for cocktails, celebrities and carrying on into the night with friends would be the Charcuterie Plate to share amid friends paired with the infamous All Dressed Fries. It’s not Fashion Week you know, so why not indulge in the finer things in life while relaxing? Also, when in the mood for delicious items that are just the right size, make sure to order the Duck Confit Tacos & Black Vinegar Chicken. Both fusion driven in their inspiration, they offer bite sized portions for those of us needing to refuel, relax and relish in their ingenious flavours.
On one final point, I must acknowledge the Pièce de Résistance on the cocktail menu. For those of you looking to indulge and enjoy the TIFF experience in a truly celebrity fashion, I point you in the direction of The Citrus Perplexity. This $100 cocktail combines Grey Goose XO (not yet available in Canada but partnered with Shangri-La Hotel Toronto for the 2014 TIFF celebrations), Rose Water, Dry Ice and yes, even 24 Carat Gold. The definition of luxury, I can assure you that not only the taste of this cocktail but the presentation will have you living the life of glitz and glamour in the beautiful Lobby Lounge of one of the most luxurious hotels in Toronto. If that doesn’t embody the TIFF experience, then I don’t know what does.
For more inspiration on TIFF inspired cocktails and creations, be sure to follow @ShangrilaTO on Instagram & Twitter and tag them upon your visit during the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival ® season. Tag @DoTheDaniel & @TIFF_net as well to show us which cocktails caught your eye and helped perfectly to compliment your very own #TIFF14 adventures.
Photos: Julio Reyes & Shangri-La Hotel Toronto
Please remember to enjoy responsibly and never drink and drive
Cheers!
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