The most recent of Toronto Life’s Love Your City series was a theme that was hard not to love. Art of the Cocktail at Malaparte presented by Diego Reserve offered attendees four different cocktails with matching hors d’oeuvres, though not served in pairs. The drinks flowed freely all evening at separate bars while the passed amuse bouche were limited and came out one by one.
Beverages were made to order while mixologists described each detail as they poured solids into liquids, gasses into solids and then burned things. The trending theme seemed to be the setting ablaze of garnishes such as thyme, rosemary, and orange rinds creating an earthy aroma in the room along with a general fear of eyebrow loss.
The cocktails tended toward sweetness with the exception of the Spanish Style Gin and Tonic. Surprisingly, there was not a bourbon drink in sight and only one bottle of Angostura bitters. Instead, citrusy lightness was in every glass mingling with Vodka, Gin, Tequila, and Scotch offering Torontonians memories of warmer springs.
Photo Credit JJ Thompson
Tamara Junkin is a Toronto writer, comedian, traveller and wine enthusiast. She is obsessed with food and animals and is currently trying to figure out life without the two being diabolically opposed. Tamara is equally passionate in her hatred for eggs and feta cheese as is she about her love for fresh Passionfruit and hot sauce. She fears no scovall unit and has twice turned purple as a result. Over the years her love of playing sports has rewarded her with a storage room drawer full of ‘participant’ medals. You can check out her sardonic blog about nothing in particular atjunkinsays.tumblr.com.
