In celebration with World MasterCard Fashion Week, Kim Crawford Wines has partnered with one of Canada’s most buzzed about mixologists, Robin Goodfellow, to create a set of cocktails inspired by some of Canada’s best designers.
Robin has won pretty much every mixologist award known to drinkers and is currently the man behind the it-crew at Bar Isabel in Toronto.
Using Kim Crawford wine – the official sponsor of WMCFW – he created a pretty pink cocktail for Pink Tartan, a punch for Mikhael Kale, a martini for Stephen Caras, a cobbler for Hayley Elsaesser, and a serious drink for Sid Neigum.
Though you may not get a chance to hit the tents to taste test them, we went straight to the source himself, so you can now recreate them in the comfort of your own kitchen – whether you’re runway ready or not.
THE KIM CLUB: Inspired by Pink Tartan
60ml Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
30ml Cedar-infused gin*
60ml Tonic
Garnish: Grapefruit zest
*Add 100g of Cedar Chips to a bottle of Gin. Shake every 15 minutes for 2 hours. Fine strain with cheesecloth and re-bottle.
**To speed up the process: add 100g of cedar flakes to 100 ml of Gin. Shake periodically for 30 minutes. Fine strain with cheesecloth and re-bottle.
“This simple yet elegant drink evokes a Canadian twist on a popular highball. The pink ribbon wrapped around the glass evokes confidence and can immediately change one’s attitude when carrying it around a party or making it at home, similar to donning something from Pink Tartan. The notes of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc make this Cedar Gin and Tonic slightly less sweet than the popular classic gin + tonic.”
THE KIM CRAWFORD PUNCH: Inspired by Mikhael Kale
45ml Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
15ml Green chartreuse
22ml Lime juice
5ml Maraschino liqueur
5ml Dr. Adam’s Teapot Bitters
10ml Grenadine (sunken)
Topped with soda water
Garnish: Brandied cherry
“This is an individually made punch that tastes light, but packs a serious punch. Just as Mr. Kale designs his pieces to live and breathe as an extension of the wearer, this drink will change flavour and colour as the drinker moves through a party or room-to-room at home thanks to the grenadine at the foot of the drink. Wine is an ingredient that works extremely well in punches; the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc used here is a definite highlight.”
THE KC MARTINI: Inspired by Stephan Caras
45ml Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
30ml Vodka
15ml Elderflower liqueur
Garnish: Lemon Zest and edible orchid
“Stephan Caras’ designs are inspired by femininity and he shies away from trends. What is more feminine and classic than a martini? Here, the ratios are reversed not only to promote the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc as the dominant flavour, but also to reduce the ABV (alcohol by volume). Add a bit of elderflower liqueur for a touch of sweetness and you have something elegant, feminine, and delicious.”
THE CRAWFORD COBBLER: Inspired by Hayley Elsaesser
75ml Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
15ml Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc syrup (2 parts sugar: 1 part Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc)*
20ml Lemon juice
4 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
Garnish: blackberry, raspberry, and pineapple skewer. Served on crushed ice
*Bring 250ml of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc to a boil, add 500g of sugar and reduce heat. Stir until fully dissolved then chill.
“Hayley’s style is extremely easy to identify. She successfully combines prints and colours into gorgeous, cutting-edge, explosive designs using classic cuts and stitches. A Sherry cobbler was one of the first drinks you could order at a bar, which inspired me to use Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc two ways in this one to modernize a classic drink. The float of bitters on top and the seasonal berry garnish (which is traditional for cobblers) not only add the finishing touch of flavour, but allowed me to make a drink appear like one of Hayley’s creations.”
NO ‘NEW ZEALAND’ FRIENDS: Inspired by Sid Neigum
30ml Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
30ml Dark rum
30ml Campari
Garnish: Flamed orange zest and hand carved brick of ice
“There is a clear dark side to Sid’s designs. He uses complex stitching and unique shaping usually in a single colour to make his point. I wanted to stay true to his style by making a twist on a classic called an ‘Old Pal’ which slightly inspired the name. The large cube or hand chipped ice pays homage to the shapes Sid creates. The ingredients, dark rum and the bitter aperitivo, speak to the style of his designs. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc is used instead of dry vermouth in this cocktail to astonishing success. This drink is serious, minimal, and strong.”
There you have it; some seriously fashionable cocktails that are as far from “typical” as the designers who inspired them.
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