In Ontario, the Victoria Day long weekend is the unofficial start of summer. In 2026 it runs from Saturday, May 16, to Monday, May 18. Cottages open for the season, backyards get their first barbecue, and the weekend’s nickname, “May Two-Four”, says the rest: it is a nod both to the date Queen Victoria’s birthday originally fell on (May 24) and to the 24-pack of beer that goes with it.
Whether you are heading north to Muskoka or staying in the city, here is a complete drinks checklist so you don’t end up an hour from the nearest store with an empty cooler.
The May Two-Four drinks checklist
Beer
- The two-four. Plan on roughly one 24-pack for every three to four adults per day if you are spending the whole weekend together.
- A light option like Coors Light or Budweiser for long, hot afternoons.
- A Canadian classic like Molson Canadian or Laker Ice.
- Something with lime: Corona is a dock-day favourite.
- Cans over bottles for the cottage and the beach. They chill faster, pack lighter and are safer around docks and fire pits.
Spirits
- A vodka for easy mixed drinks: Smirnoff or Tito’s.
- A rum for summery cocktails: Captain Morgan or Bacardi White.
- A Canadian whisky for the campfire: Crown Royal or Canadian Club.
Wine
- A couple of bottles of crisp white or rosé for dinner, like Peller Family Pinot Grigio or Gato Negro Sauvignon Blanc.
- A red for barbecued steaks and burgers: Gato Negro Cabernet Sauvignon.
Mixers and extras
- Lemonade, soda water, ginger ale, cola and cranberry juice
- Lemons and limes (more than you think)
- Bags of ice: at least two per cooler per day
- A large drink dispenser or pitcher for batch cocktails
- Plenty of water and non-alcoholic drinks
Three batch cocktails for a crowd
At the cottage nobody wants to play bartender. Batch drinks let everyone serve themselves.
Dockside vodka lemonade
Combine 1 bottle (750 ml) vodka, 2 L lemonade and 500 ml soda water in a dispenser. Add sliced lemons, a handful of fresh mint and lots of ice.
Rum punch
Mix 2 cups spiced or white rum, 2 cups pineapple juice, 2 cups orange juice, the juice of 3 limes and a splash of grenadine. Top with soda water just before serving.
Campfire whisky lemonade
Canadian whisky, lemonade and a splash of iced tea: one part whisky to three parts lemonade and one part iced tea. Easy, refreshing and perfect as the sun goes down.
For more ideas, see our easy summer cocktail recipes and 37 two-ingredient drinks.
How to keep everything cold at the cottage
- Pre-chill everything at home before you leave. A cooler keeps things cold; it doesn’t make them cold.
- Use two coolers: one for drinks (opened often) and one for food (opened rarely).
- Block ice lasts longer than cubes. Freeze a few water bottles to use as ice packs and drinking water later.
- Keep coolers in the shade and off hot decks or sand.
Stay safe on and around the water
Long weekends are busy on Ontario’s roads and lakes, and alcohol plays a part in many accidents. A few important reminders:
- Boating and drinking don’t mix. Ontario law strictly limits when alcohol can be consumed on a boat, and operating a boat while impaired carries the same criminal penalties as impaired driving.
- Swimming after drinking is risky, especially in cold spring water. May lakes are often still very cold.
- Some parks restrict alcohol over the long weekend. If you are camping, check Ontario Parks for rules at your campground before you go.
- Plan the drive home. Monday traffic back into the city is heavy; make sure the driver is well rested and sober.
Our guide to estimating alcohol for a party is handy for working out quantities for a multi-day trip.
Staying in the city?
If you are hosting a backyard barbecue in Toronto, Mississauga or Brampton instead, you don’t need to buy everything at once. Instabooze delivers across the GTA all weekend long, so you can top up when the party grows. Check our delivery pages for Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called May Two-Four?
Victoria Day honours Queen Victoria, whose birthday was May 24. The nickname “Two-Four” refers to that date and to the 24-pack of beer, a long-weekend tradition in Ontario.
How much beer do I need for a cottage weekend?
A good estimate is one 24-pack for every three to four adults per day, plus wine or spirits for variety. Adjust for your group’s habits.
Can I get alcohol delivered over the Victoria Day weekend?
Yes. Instabooze delivers beer, wine and spirits across Toronto and the GTA over the long weekend. You must be 19 or older and show valid ID.
However you spend it, May Two-Four is about good company, the first real warm weather and a cooler that doesn’t run dry. Have a great long weekend and get home safely.
