We are on the brink of a frightening event – the 2016 election.  Remember when it became clear that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton would emerge as presidential nominees, and many of us said we would move to Canada if either of them became president?  If you follow current events (or have a Twitter feed….or functioning ears), you probably already know that Canada is getting more than its usual share of publicity this election cycle, because voters are SERIOUS this time about leaving the U.S.  Not sure how many citizens will actually leave the country, but you’ve got to figure at least a small percentage of the electorate will actually follow through.

If you are considering a move to our neighbor to the North, you will need to do your research.  How arduous a process is it to become a Canadian citizen? What are some of the more temperate cities in which to live?  And most importantly, what the heck do they drink up there?

As for the immigration process or the finest Canadian cities, I can’t help you at the moment.  But if you are interested in a list of popular Canadian cocktails, I’m your gal.  Below I’ve compiled a list of some of the best drinks enjoyed by our North American neighbors:

The Caesar

The Caesar is considered Canada’s national drink; there’s even a National Caesar Day (May 19).  There are lots of variations on this cocktail, but  basically the Caesar is a Bloody Mary with Clamato instead of tomato juice.  Mark Galic, Proprietor of the Split Crow Pub in Halifax, Nova Scotia, shared his version of the Caesar-

3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
3 ounces Clamato
1-3 dashes Tabasco
1 ounce vodka
salt and pepper

Rim a tall rocks glass with steak spice, then carefully fill with ice and add ingredients in order.

Split Crow uses a pepperoni slice  and a pickled spiced bean as a garnish for the Caesar.  You will literally have to travel to Halifax to find out what this “extreme bean” is, and maybe Mark will tell you.

Killer Kool-aid

The combination of ingredients in a Killer Kool-Aid is used in similar drinks with various names, but in Canada, it’s called a Killer Kool-Aid, eh?

1/2 ounce vodka
1 ounce melon liqueur (Midori is a good choice)
1 ounce amaretto
cranberry juice
Sprite

Pour the first four ingredients in a tall glass with ice, then top with a couple ounces of Sprite or other lemon-lime soda.

Moose Milk

This is a big batch drink, usually enjoyed at holiday time.  Use a large punch bowl if you have one.

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
1/2 gallon whole milk
1 cup dark rum (Myer’s, for example)
1 cup vodka

Mix all ingredients in your punch bowl and serve with a sprinkle of nutmeg on top. Garnish with cinnamon stick if so inspired.

Ice Maker’s Punch

This is another big batch drink (actually, it should serve an entire platoon), and will definitely keep you warm if you are in the Great White North in the winter.

40 ounces rye whiskey
40 ounces rum
40 ounces vodka
40 ounces Southern Comfort
8 cups brewed coffee
One gallon vanilla ice cream
One gallon cola

Mix all ingredients together in a container that you procured in advance (a 55-gallon drum, perhaps?), then ferment overnight.  The next day, stir and serve with glasses filled with ice.

Maple Leaf Cocktail

This wasn’t reported as one of the most popular Canadian cocktails, but to a naive American such as myself, it should be.

2 ounces bourbon
1/2 ounce pure maple syrup
1/2 ounce lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, then strain into a martini glass.  For variety, break a left-over cinnamon stick from the Moose Milk recipe in two for garnish.

White Ice Cosmo

According to my new Canadian friend Mark Galic many, if not most, of the drinks made popular by American culture are popular in Canada as well.  So Canadians have been drinking Cosmopolitans since Sex and the City, just like us. BCliving.com, a western Canadian lifestyle website, included the White Ice Cosmo in its list of top Canadian drinks to celebrate Canada Day. It seems to be a more authentic Canadian drink since it’s a red and white drink (the colors of the Canadian flag), and contains liquors found in Canada. Plus it looks like something to drink in a chillier climate.

1 ounce Polar Ice vodka
1/2 ounce McGuiness triple sec
3 ounce white cranberry juice

Add ingredients to a shaker filled with ice.  Shake and strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with your favorite red fruit.

Old Fashioned

Another drink that’s become popular due to American culture- the drink enjoyed by Don Draper and his fellow scoundrels on Mad Men.  Recipes for this cocktail are plentiful, but here’s a straightforward, classic take on an old standby.

3 dashes Angostura bitters
1 tsp water
1 sugar cube
3 ounce good quality rye or bourbon
Fresh orange peel and maraschino cherry
In a short rocks glass, muddle the bitters and water with the sugar cube, using the back of a teaspoon.  Fill the glass 3/4 full with ice cubes, then add the rye or bourbon. Squeeze orange peel into mixture, and garnish with the cherry.

Whisky Sour

Yes, this is another drink popular in the U.S.  It should be comforting to know that you will be able to find many drinks in Canada that you’ve enjoyed in America for decades.  It will make the transition easier.

1 1/2 ounces bourbon
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
3/4 ounce simple syrup

Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice.  Shake and strain into a rocks glass with ice.  Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a lemon wedge.

Hopefully this list of cocktails will help you acclimate to your adopted country if you go through with your threat of moving.  If you don’t relish the thought of relocating to a colder locale, I could be persuaded to do some research into the top Mexican libations.  Let’s just hope, worst-case scenario, that the proposed wall that Mexico is going to pay for has a door that lets people IN to Mexico.