Canada’s women’s soccer team will take to the pitch soon in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games – and we’re ready to celebrate. ELLE Gourmet contributor and drinks expert James Chatto shares five cocktails inspired by gold-medal-contending countries, including this colourful contribution, The Colombia:
“The idea here is to build a layered cocktail that proudly mirrors the colours of the Colombian flag as well as those of the women’s soccer team’s kit, which is made up of yellow shirts, blue shorts and red socks. Layering requires a steady hand and relies on the difference in weight and viscosity of the liquids in the drink. Adding crushed ice or small ice cubes in separate stages helps keep the colours separate, but if the stripes do blur, it’s not the end of the world – the cocktail will still taste great. Aguardiente is Colombia’s own sugar-cane spirit, and it’s lightly flavoured with anise. Quality varies dramatically between brands (though Antioqueño is a good dry option), which is why this cocktail is usually made with vodka in North America.”
Watch the 2024 Summer Olympics on CBC Gem here.
The Colombia Cocktail
Ingredients
- 6 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 oz vodka or aguardiente
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- crushed ice or small ice cubes
- 1 oz grenadine
- 1 oz blue curaçao
Instructions
- In mixing glass, combine orange juice, vodka and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Quarter-fill Highball glass with ice; slowly add grenadine. Add more ice to the halfway mark. Place back of cocktail spoon, bowl facing up, where ice meets inside of glass; slowly pour curaçao over back of spoon.
- Top with more ice, then gently pour in orange juice mixture.
More cocktail recipes for the 2024 Summer Olympics
The Toronto Cocktail
This vintage cocktail, made with rye whisky and Fernet-Branca, was all the rage in 1920s Toronto.
Get the recipe
The Rose Cocktail
This classic French cocktail is made with dry Vermouth, kirsch and cherry brandy.
Get the recipe
Stars and Stripes Cocktail
This fruity USA-inspired cocktail blends fresh berries with absinthe and a splash of ginger beer.
Get the recipe
Brazilian Canary Port Cocktail
This fresh, tangy and just-sweet-enough cocktail is made with dry white port and lemon juice.
Get the recipe
