Few spots in Toronto have had the fanfare of West Queen West’s Drake Hotel. Now, with an additional two hotels in Prince Edward County and an updated food & beverage list, the icon reinvents itself for a new hipster age.
Examining the Drake’s history alongside Ana Yuristy, Chief People & Brand Officer and Jeremy Cheung, who oversees the properties drinks’ list, it’s easy to fall in love with the past. The Drake, which changed West Queen West and hosted performers like Billie Eilish, M.I.A. and Beck, made downtown upscale and mixed high and low art to memorable effect, creating a cultural hub that remains strong in its twenty-first year. To be strong today, says Cheung — to be relevant — is to serve up food and drinks in a sustainable, delicious, environmental concoction that’s not only nutritious but also fresh, light and, as often as not, featuring cocktails that contain no alcohol.
“We’ve always worked hard on our temperance drinks, but since the category’s expanded there’s just so much more we can play with,” says Cheung, adding that liquors like Amaretto and Campari are now available without booze, perfect for mixing non-alcoholic cocktails. “If you don’t have a thoughtful temperance menu, you aren’t providing what a modern consumer wants and it feels like an exciting time to be leaders in this category.”
The Drake, both on Queen Street West and in the County, where the chain runs the Drake Devonshire and Drake Motor Inn, has adapted its menu with smaller plates, exciting collaborations and an expansion of its popular sushi menu. Chef Daniel Hyam uses herbs grown on the hotel’s rooftop garden and the Drake offers partnerships with local spin clubs and gyms.
In the end, the evolution of the Drake matches the evolution of society: any brand wishing to stay current, needs to meet diners and tipplers where they are.
This season, it means eating healthy and smart.
“Ever since the Drake opened, wellness has been a part of what makes us special and local collaborations are our secret sauce,” says Yuristy. “Being relevant for twenty-one years, I think, is just the start.”
Faux-retto Sour
Ingredients
- 2 oz Non-Alcoholic Almond Liqueur
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- 0.5 oz Pumpkin Spice Syrup
- 1 dash Ms. Betters Miraculous Foamer
Method: Shaken
Glass: Coupe
Garnish: Fee Brothers Aromatic Bitters design
Add all ingredients to a shaker tin with Kold Draft ice. Shake well, double strain into a coupe glass, garnish, and serve.
Spiced Nospresso Martini
Ingredients
- 1 oz NOA Non-Alcoholic Spiced Rum
- 1 oz NOA Non-Alcoholic Coffee Liqueur
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
- 1.5 oz Cold Brew
- 1 dash Ms. Betters Miraculous Foamer
Method: Shaken
Glass: Coupe
Garnish: Freshly grated cinnamon
Add all ingredients to a shaker tin with Kold Draft ice. Shake well, double strain into a coupe glass, garnish, and serve.
Jungle Cat
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz NOA Non-Alcoholic Spiced Rum
- 0.5 oz NOA Non-Alcoholic Italian Aperitivo
- 0.75 oz Lime Juice
- 2 oz Pineapple Juice
- 0.5 oz Demerara Syrup
Method: Shaken
Glass: Double Old Fashioned
Garnish: Mint bouquet + dehydrated lime
Add all ingredients to a shaker tin with Kold Draft ice. Shake well, double strain into a double old fashioned glass, garnish, and serve.
Gen-Royale
Ingredients
- 1 oz Genmaicha Tea Syrup
- 0.25 oz Luxardo Cherry Syrup
- 1 oz Cranberry Juice
- 1 dash Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Bitters
- Top with Soda
Method: Build
Glass: Flute
Garnish: Skewered cranberries + lemon twist
Add all ingredients to a flute. Give a gentle stir, garnish, and serve.
