Don’t know about you, but the holidays just aren’t the holidays without a turkey dinner. So if you’re staying in with your fam or flying solo this Christmas and making your own turkey is a little ambitious, Festivus is here for you.
To help make your festive meal complete, we checked in with the bar teams at each of our locations to get their tips for beverage pairings from our new Bottle Shops at each Drake. You’re welcome.
Drake Commissary, with Chelsea Lawrence
Landmark Vineyards, Overlook Chardonnay, 2017, Sonoma County, California, $55
Make room at your table for this beautiful California Chardonnay that was meant for a holiday feast! Fresh acidity and bright fruit character make for a heavenly contrast to the richness of our Festivus flavours. French oak barrels lend croissant and salted caramel to the wine’s already irresistible peaches + cream and chamomile notes.
The Drake Hotel, with Jordan Dibe
Cocktail
The Old Pal: A dry and sturdy Negroni variation, the Old Pal features spicy Wiser’s Canadian Whisky (19$), bitter Campari (30$) and aromatic Dolin Dry vermouth (30$). Equal parts, stirred over ice and garnished with an lemon zest, the Old Pal is the ideal primer for rich holiday meal.
1oz Wiser’s
1oz Campari
1oz Dolin Dry Vermouth
Combine all over ice, stir, strain and serve with a lemon twist.
White Wine
Domaine de Mauperthuis, Wild Ferment, Chardonnay, Chablis (40$)
A fresh and clean chardonnay from Chablis, full of green apple and stone fruit. This chardonnay doesn’t need oak to hold up to a big holiday dinner. Bright acidity, and steely minerality make it a perfect match for The Drake’s roasted turkey, apricot stuffing, and herbaceous cranberry sauce.
Red Wine
Jean D’Alibert Le Grand Noir, Pinot Noir Languedoc-Roussillon (30$)
This pinot noir offers the depth of Burgundian style pinot and the chugability of light reds from the south of France. A crowd pleaser across the board. Rich dark fruit, light oak, and a subtle spicy finish mean this pinot will pair beautifully with moist dark turkey, sweet caramelized onions, and rich bacon roasted carrots.
After Dinner
Fernet Branca (30$)
With dinner done and the Tryptophen overdose setting in, there’s nothing better to settle the stomach and send you on your sleepy way than a glass of Fernet Branca. This iconic Italian bitter is rich, herbaceous and spicy. The perfect nightcap after a delicious holiday spread.
Drake Devonshire, with Sabrina Counsell
Vitner’s Daughter, Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
This Chardonnay in particular is very food-friendly with its lingering, juicy acidity. The peachy fruit characteristics will mirror the flavours from the apricot stuffing and cranberry sauce while contrasting the more bold savoriness from the caramelized onion potato gratin. Chardonnay is ideal for classic roasted turkey, cleansing the palate between each bite!