Sep. 30, 2009 - Issue #728: Fall Style 2009

Living Proof

Add some fall colour

As the days get colder, it might be time to switch your liqueur

In the last couple weeks there's been a definite shift in the air. Days are getting shorter, nights are getting colder and the sun's heat, even on warm days, feels thinner. We're on our way into fall. With weather like this, in the first stages of our turn away from warmth, I feel compelled to drink something that offers a bit of heat. That's why I turned to Domaine de Canton liqueur this month.

Domaine de Canton is a French liqueur named after an old ginger-producing estate in French Indochine (now Vietnam) where the ginger liqueur was first made. It is fashioned by infusing baby ginger in cognac and has a slightly higher alcohol content than some liqueurs (28 percent). Along with the ginger, orange blossom honey and vanilla are added, giving the liqueur a punch of sweetness. It's been an award-winning darling of bartenders and chefs alike, and its marketing and packaging reflect its rarefied charms. Its price isn't for the weekend party-goer or the wallet-conscious, but if you're looking for warmth and a bit of character, Domaine de Canton might be just what you need.

Open a bottle, and you will smell ginger first and foremost, propped up by a touch of floral sweetness from the honey, and finally the rich smell of vanilla. This liqueur has a definite, strong core of flavour, and its sweetness is reflected in its slightly syrupy thickness. Tasted neat, Domaine de Canton gives a wallop of honey followed up by a lasting gingery burn.

If you like ginger candy, you'll like sipping it straight, chilled or at room temperature, as a dessert. Or try it on your dessert—as mentioned, Domaine de Canton has become a staple for many chefs. Its syrupiness is a benefit when it's used in sauces and garnishes. Try tossing it with pineapple for a fruit salad or drizzling it over vanilla ice cream. Used in this context, Domaine de Canton's sugary core becomes a benefit.

If you're more into drinking your liquor, you'll do fine with Domaine de Canton. It blends well in many classic cocktail combinations, its sweetness mellowing while it leaves a lovely trace of ginger as it mixes with gin, rum, or vodka. If you want to keep things simple, try making a gin martini using one part Domaine de Canton to three parts gin. To make things even easier, try making a simple spritzer with a shot of ginger liqueur in soda water (play with proportions to find what you like).

The fact that it's fall also means that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Domaine de Canton is a perfect addition for holiday festivities since ginger is a natural counterpart to all kinds of Thanksgiving staples—think apples, cranberries, sweet potato, pumpkin. If you're looking to spice up your Thanksgiving, try simply adding a shot of Domaine de Canton to your favourite cider, or try a twist on something super-girly with a gingered cosmo. V

Gingered Cosmopolitan Martini

The Cosmo is usually served as nothing more than a shot of vodka in cranberry juice (yuck), but it can be something much more sophisticated. Yes, it's still pink, but a hint of ginger adds interest and lime juice tones down the sweetness.

Combine all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cranberries (if you use frozen ones, they double as ice cubes).

Spiced Cider

Nothing could be simpler here. Just a shot of liqueur in a glass of cider. The ginger adds a nice hint of spice to the apple, but do look for a dry cider (I used Strongbow). There's plenty of added sweetness when you throw Domaine de Canton in the mix.

Pour Domaine de Canton into a highball glass, then fill glass with cider. Stir lightly, then serve. V

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