Last Thursday I was invited to attend the inaugural #CanadianClub National Club meeting, so I put on my dancing shoes (read: cowboy boots) and headed out to the event.
The event was held in the Great Hall at The Hart House on the University of Toronto campus – a perfect venue for an event focused on the history of a classic drink. The ancient stone building feels like the kind of club that would have hosted secret bootleg parties in the roaring 20s…
The cocktails at the party were, of course, exceptional; a mix of traditional and modern, we switched between Manhattans and Canadian Club Lemonade. But the drinks were not the highlight of the evening… It was the food that really had people raving. The chefs were on-site grilling lamb sausage, steaks and chicken, all of which was perfectly marinated and spiced and placed on a bun with one of several exquisite homemade sauces.
The food pulled the entire event together with a simple elegance, bringing everything back to the mustachioed Chairman who is as manly as the Old Spice Guy ever was – the steak was served rare and the drinks were plentiful.
Several of the gentlemen in attendance received a shave or a trim from Bode Spa which was a nice change from a typical event where the only extra services are for the ladies in attendance.
Between the excellent food (I will sing songs about the steak until my dying day), the well crafted beverages (the Caesar looked amazing with bacon), and the fantastic company, the event was a complete success with guests staying well after the event to finish their drinks in the courtyard.
If you’re interested in trying a new drink, I recommend adding Canadian Club to your next cocktail; it’s better than you think it is, and your Gramps will totally respect your new drink of choice.
