Lights, camera, tequila: Don Julio brings its star power to TIFF 50

Don Julio makes a cinematic splash at TIFF 50 with iconic mini bottles, exclusive cocktails, and late-night takeovers.

If the Oscars were just the teaser, Don Julio is dropping the full feature at TIFF 2025. After going viral earlier this year thanks to their unexpected appearance during Jimmy Kimmel and Guillermo’s Oscar-night antics, Don Julio is back in the spotlight — this time bringing their boldest play yet to the Toronto International Film Festival.

via GIPHY

To celebrate TIFF’s milestone 50th anniversary, the brand is not only returning as the Official Tequila Sponsor of the festival, but making Canadian spirits history with the launch of their coveted 50mL Don Julio 1942 minis. Set to be the must-have accessory of the season (and the ultimate party flex), these sleek little bottles are landing exclusively in Canada during TIFF — and are already being spotted in the hands of VIPs at the city’s buzziest venues.

Nobu at Night: Where TIFF turns up

Don Julio is setting the tone for TIFF’s hottest nights with an exclusive invite-only event on September 9 at Nobu Toronto, kicking off “Nobu at Night” — a new late-night series that’s already shaping up to be TIFF’s most coveted after-hours experience. The event marks the official Ontario debut of the 1942 mini bottles, and guests lucky enough to score an invite can expect signature cocktails, surprise guests, and unforgettable vibes.

And the party doesn’t stop there:

• September 10–11: Guests with dinner reservations at Nobu will receive an exclusive Don Julio 1942 mini cocktail.
• September 12–13: Nobu will transform into a speakeasy-style mini bar tour, creating an immersive moment that blends nightlife, film, and ultra-premium tequila in one unforgettable experience.

Don Julio’s festival footprint

TIFF is known for glitz, glamour, and good times — and if last year is any indication, Don Julio is the brand quietly fuelling the most memorable nights. In 2024, the tequila label popped up at elite afterparties for Nutcrackers, We Live in Time, and Saturday Night, drawing names like Ben Stiller, Paul Rudd, Andrew Garfield, Jude Law, Elizabeth Olsen, Naomi Watts, and even Bill Murray, who famously jumped behind the DJ booth.

This year, Don Julio is bringing that same unmissable energy. They’re confirmed to host afterparties for some of TIFF’s most anticipated names, including Sydney Sweeney and Charli XCX, making the brand one of the most in-demand presences at the festival.

The cocktails worth talking about

This isn’t your average tequila menu. Don Julio’s TIFF signature cocktails were crafted by some of the industry’s most innovative mixologists and are made to match the cinematic mood of the week:

DEPEACH MODE

Created by Jacob Martin, World Class 2023 Global Bartender of the Year

• 1 oz. Don Julio Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz. Cocchi Americano
• 0.75 oz. Fino Sherry
• 0.25 oz. Peach Liqueur
• 0.25 oz. Verjus
• 0.25 oz. Simple Syrup Served over a king cube in an Old Fashioned glass, garnished with a brûléed peach quarter. A moody, complex stunner.

SIESTA

• 1.5 oz. Don Julio Blanco
• 0.5 oz. Carpano Bitter Aperitivo
• 0.5 oz. lime juice
• 0.5 oz. grapefruit juice
• 0.5 oz. simple syrup Served in a coupe, finished with grapefruit zest. It’s zesty, bittersweet, and perfect for golden hour.

Park Hyatt collab: Cocktails with a view

Over at Park Hyatt Toronto, Don Julio is taking over not one, but two of the property’s most iconic spaces. At Joni Restaurant and the Writers Room, guests can sip on a special film-inspired cocktail menu created just for TIFF:

• Wake Up Dead Man: Don Julio Blanco, fresh lime, orange juice and crème de mûre.
• The Caught by Tides: Don Julio Reposado, Green Chartreuse, fresh lime, thyme, and saline.
• Le Magnifique: Don Julio Blanco, Belle de Brilet, apricot purée, and fresh lemon.

Whether you’re pre-gaming before a premiere or winding down from the afterparty circuit, Park Hyatt’s Don Julio menu offers a flavourful escape in the heart of Yorkville.

The 1942 mini: Small bottle, major moment

Easily the most photogenic product of the festival, the 50mL Don Julio 1942 mini is more than a pour — it’s a collectible. Designed to mimic the silhouette of the iconic full-size bottle, this mini version delivers the same ultra-smooth agave spirit in a pocket-sized format that’s equal parts luxe and playful.

The mini bottles will be making cameos at TIFF’s top parties, speakeasies, and dining tables. Whether paired with a signature cocktail or given as a surprise keepsake, the 1942 mini is quickly becoming the most talked-about drop of TIFF 2025.

Raising a glass to film, fashion, and unforgettable nights

From red carpets to rooftop bars, Don Julio is making TIFF 50 one to remember — not by showing off, but by showing up in all the right places. As Canada’s film scene hits a historic high note, this bold, cinematic tequila is right there alongside it, raising a glass to the stories that move us, the moments that shape us, and the unforgettable nights that keep us talking long after the credits roll.

The 411: Don Julio at TIFF 2025

• 📍 Locations to Spot Don Julio at TIFF 2025
• Select Afterparties – Featuring Sydney Sweeney, Charli XCX, and more surprise guests
• Nobu Toronto – 25 Mercer St. (Nobu at Night, cocktail events, and mini bottle launch)
• Park Hyatt Toronto – 4 Avenue Rd. (Signature Don Julio cocktail menu at Joni Restaurant & Writers Room)
• TIFF Tribute Awards – Official Don Julio support