The Royal York - An Alcohol-free Cocktail For A Spring or Summer Brunch

One of the key parts to rethinking drinking is finding a replacement mentally and physically for the thing your brain and thus your hands are craving. If you’re going all-in on your wellness these days, this alcohol-free cocktail will quench your fear of being drinkless on Mother’s Day.

The Royal York

The Royal York is a circa-1920s hotel in Toronto that is exactly as it sounds - posh. If you’ve ever dreamed of living in hotel (or…just me?), then you’ll like this drink, as it would be right at home on their menu.

This drink is made with a shrub - no, not your garden variety, but a carefully crafted drinking vinegar that is the cornerstone of alcohol-free life. I’ll be writing a more definitive resource on shrubs soon, but for now all you need to know is that they are tart but have an amazing flavour range. You’ll need to order the one in this recipe in advance - you can find it at manningcanning.com - or, use any vanilla-based shrub available. It’s easy enough to make your own, but only if you have access to fresh rhubarb!

The Royal YOrk

4 oz Rhubarb-Vanilla Shrub from Manning Canning
Fresh-squeezed juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tbsp maple syrup
Club Soda

Glassware: A medium-sized tumbler

To build this drink, give the maple syrup, the shrub and the lemon juice a shake in a shaker with ice. If you don’t have a shaker and just want to whisk it together that’s ok, just make sure the ingredients have been chilled.

Divide the mixture across two glasses, and add ice. Top with good quality club soda and give it a good stir. Serve immediately. Cheers!