Paul the Octopus may have ’spoken’, but nothing’s in the bag for the FIFA final today.  Here are a couple inspired cocktails to help you celebrate… or stage your own face-off.

Chris McDonald of Toronto’s Cava presents a strong player with a sharp cross and excellent mid-palate play.  Steve Da Cruz of Vancouver’s Corner Suite brings you a powerful striker that quickly sets a tempo and paints the pitch orange. You be the ref — or play Paul — for this one.

Catalan 75

~ created by Chris McDonald, Cava Restaurant

1 oz Victoria Gin
1 oz lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
one dash grappa cherry syrup
3 oz Codorníu Cava Clasico

Shake first four ingredients over ice.  Strain into large flute.  Top with Cava and garnish with a lemon twist.

Dutch Old Fashioned

~ created by Steve Da Cruz, Corner Suite Bistro De Luxe

2 oz Victoria Gin
2-3 lumps of unbleached sugar
a few dashes orange twisted & bitter
a few Griottines (primo brandied cherries) * if you use ghetto maraschino cherries instead, you get an automatic red card!

Muddle ingredients and stir together on ice.  Strain over fresh ice.  Garnish with a wheel of orange in the drink.  Rub lemon peel on the rim and dropped in with a cherry.