It’s Canada Day! Drink a Maple Syrup Martini.

To celebrate Canada’s 148th birthday I’m craving something sweet, a celebratory drink that brings me as much comfort and joy as my Canadian citizenship does. Peering into our liquor cabinet, a bottle of Nova Scotia’s IRONWORKS, distilled from Annapolis Valley apples, catches my eye and I know exactly what needs to be done.

I am so proud to be Canadian. This is one awesome nation with much to offer a growing family. I love our good manners, relaxed sense of humour and that openminded objectiveness that seems to only comes from living in one of the most multicultural countries in the world. The there’s our stunning countryside, rocky mountain tops, east coast seafood, black bears, the people, great beer, handsome Mounties, the good side of The Falls, poutine, Mike Myers, same sex marriage legal since 2005, the people, SCTV, lower crime rate, Neil Young, clean cities, did I mention how great the people are??

Yes, we are a friendly bunch here and fewer are more welcoming than Lynn and Pierre of the IRONWORKS Distillery in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. If you have yet to experience the seaside village of Lunenburg, go, GO NOW. Your boss will understand. This is a staple in the true Canadian experience. Once you arrive, walk up the main stretch of Lincoln Street to the old blacksmith shop sitting on top of the hill. This is were some of Canada’s finest artisanal liquors are distilled — including this clean tasting vodka that offers a hint of apple flavour with a subtle butterscotch sweetness at the end. Truthfully, I could swoon over their vodka, Bluenose rum tributes and that rhubarb liquor *so yum* all day but I have a Maple Syrup Martini to tend to. So, for more information, ordering details and more insightful directions than “top of the hill”, check out ironworksdistillery.com.

♫ Oh! Maple Syrup Martini!

Our drink and dessert in one.

True patriot love in all thy drinking needs… ♫

No.. no.. no.. Let’s do this right, in the most appropriately Canadian way to sing our national anthem: as Chris Hadfield, Canadian astronaut and former commander of the International Space Station, on the ice of a hockey game and interchanging between english and french. Hats off, hands on hearts, people.

Happy Birthday, Canada! Stay awesome.
Celebrate wisely, friends. Have fun, be safe and look out for one another — that’s the Canadian way. xo

All of that cocktail shaking has probably worked up an appetite. May I suggest making The Ultimate Canadian Poutine with homemade sweet potato fries, peameal bacon and Quebec cheese curds drowned in hot maple syrup? You’re welcome.