Every September, the Toronto International Film Festival takes over King Street. Red carpets roll out, stars fill the hotel lobbies and film fans line up around the block for premieres. TIFF is one of the most important film festivals in the world, and for a couple of weeks the whole city feels like it is part of the movie business.
Not everyone can get festival tickets, though, and plenty of people prefer the comfort of their own couch. If you are planning a movie night at home this September, why not pour the drinks the characters were drinking? Here are six cocktails made famous by films, with simple recipes and a few pairing ideas.
1. The Vodka Martini (James Bond)
No cocktail is more tied to the movies than 007’s martini, “shaken, not stirred.” Purists stir their martinis to keep them crystal clear, but shaking gives a colder, slightly lighter drink.
- 2.5 oz vodka such as Grey Goose or Stolichnaya
- 0.5 oz dry vermouth
- Lemon twist or an olive
Shake hard with ice, strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish. Watch with: any Bond film, from the classics to the modern era.
2. The Vesper (Casino Royale)
In Casino Royale, Bond orders a very specific martini and names it after Vesper Lynd. It mixes gin and vodka for a stronger, more aromatic drink.
- 3 oz gin such as Bombay Sapphire
- 1 oz vodka
- 0.5 oz Lillet Blanc
That is Bond’s original “three measures, one, and a half” ratio. For a smaller drink, halve everything.
Shake with ice, strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with a long strip of lemon peel. Strong, so sip it slowly.
3. The White Russian (The Big Lebowski)
The Dude’s drink of choice became a cult classic thanks to the Coen brothers’ 1998 comedy.
- 2 oz vodka, such as Smirnoff
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 1 oz heavy cream or whole milk
Build the vodka and coffee liqueur over ice in a rocks glass, then float the cream on top. Stir before drinking. Creamy, sweet and perfect for a lazy night in.
4. The Manhattan (Some Like It Hot)
In Billy Wilder’s 1959 comedy, Marilyn Monroe’s character mixes Manhattans in a hot-water bottle on an overnight train. We recommend a mixing glass instead.
- 2 oz whisky (American rye, bourbon or a Canadian whisky such as Crown Royal)
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Stir with ice for 30 seconds, strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with a cherry.
5. The Cosmopolitan (Sex and the City)
The pink drink that defined a generation of New York glamour, and was the star of the characters’ nights out on screen.
- 1.5 oz citrus vodka
- 1 oz orange liqueur
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- 0.5 oz cranberry juice
Shake with ice, strain into a martini glass and garnish with an orange twist.
6. The Old Fashioned (Crazy, Stupid, Love)
Ryan Gosling’s character makes Old Fashioneds with a smooth confidence that made plenty of viewers want to learn. It is the most classic whisky cocktail there is.
- 2 oz whiskey, such as Jack Daniel’s
- 1 sugar cube or 0.25 oz simple syrup
- 2–3 dashes bitters
- Orange peel
Muddle the sugar with the bitters and a splash of water, add the whiskey and a large ice cube, and stir. Express the orange peel over the top. For more ideas with Jack, see creative Jack Daniel’s cocktails.
How to set up a movie-night bar
- Pick two drinks, not six. Choose one shaken and one stirred so you are not stuck at the counter during the film.
- Prep ahead: squeeze citrus, cut garnishes and chill glasses before the opening credits.
- Batch the stirred drinks: Manhattans and Old Fashioneds can be pre-mixed in a bottle and kept in the fridge. Add 20% water to replace the dilution from stirring.
- Snacks: popcorn with truffle salt or parmesan, a cheese board, or chocolate for the dessert course.
Need the right glasses? See five essential cocktail glasses for your home bar.
Make it a festival night
To give your movie night some TIFF spirit, pick a theme: a double bill from one director, a classic from the year you were born, or a film that premiered at the festival in a past year. Check what is screening on the TIFF website and use the festival line-up for inspiration.
Frequently asked questions
What is James Bond’s drink?
Bond is famous for the vodka martini, “shaken, not stirred,” and for the Vesper, which he orders in Casino Royale.
What is in a White Russian?
Vodka, coffee liqueur and cream, served over ice. It was made famous by The Big Lebowski.
Can I get cocktail ingredients delivered in Toronto?
Yes. Instabooze delivers vodka, gin, whisky and more across Toronto and the GTA, including late in the evening. You must be 19 or older and show ID.
Dim the lights, pour a drink worthy of the big screen and press play. If you are missing a bottle, browse our full menu.
