10 Must-Have Cocktails for Date Night in Ottawa

Whether your date enjoys their cocktail shaken or stirred, this Ottawa cocktail list is sure to impress them on your next night out!
datenight - Ottawa Cocktails

Feeling thirsty? Ottawa boasts an exciting and innovative culinary scene and that includes top tier cocktails. Whether you’re seeking classic concoctions crafted with precision or inventive mixology creations that push the boundaries, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite cocktails in the city for your next date night.

1. Old Fashioned from Rabbit Hole

Rabbit Hole serves up some of the most creative cocktails in Ottawa but the one that has our heart is their Old Fashioned. This classic cocktail is expertly handcrafted and delightfully smooth.

The restaurant and cocktail bar also offers a beautiful setting for a date night. The original exposed stone walls and dim lighting in this historic building provide the perfect backdrop for romance! 

Location: 208 Sparks Street, Ottawa

2. Margarita from Eldorado Taco

With the weather warming up and summer right around the corner, there’s no cocktail we’ve been craving more than a margarita! Eldorado Taco offers not one, not two, but TWELVE different margaritas on their menu! Enjoy a variety of unique flavours like “Spicy Pineapple”, “Strawberry & Basil”, “Smokey Watermelon”, and more!

Location: 170 Preston Street, Ottawa

3. Negroni from Riviera

Riviera was recently announced as one of Canada’s Best 100 Restaurants and it’s easy to see why! Along with delicious food, they also have an amazing cocktail menu which includes a negroni list. They arguably serve the BEST negronis in the city but don’t just take our word for it, try it out for yourself!

Location: 62 Sparks Street, Ottawa

4. Amaretto Sour from J’TM Resto Bar

J’TM is a cocktail lounge and restaurant in the Byward Market that is perfect for a night out on the town. Whether you’re looking to meet some friends for a drink after work or planning on dancing the night away, you need to try their Amaretto Sour!

This is the perfect cocktail if you prefer your drink to be on the sweeter side. The drink is crafted with Amaretto, lemon juice, orange juice, egg white, and syrup. Delish!

Location: 101 Clarence Street, Ottawa

5. Bespoke Cocktail from Jackalope

Jackalope is a speakeasy cocktail bar located inside Rabbit Hole that serves handcrafted, bespoke cocktails. There’s no menu for you to choose from – instead, their mixologoists will create a a completely unique beverage based on your favourite tastes and flavours.

The intimate space is beautifully decorated with vintage-inspired decor and furniture, creating the ambiance of a 1920s venue. This is the ultimate date night experience for the cocktail lover in your life!

Location: 208 Sparks Street, Ottawa (located inside Rabbit Hole)

6. Bumble Juice from The King Eddy

Located in Ottawa’s historic Byward Market, the ‘Eddy’ is home to delicious burgers and other diner-type fare. They also have a full drink menu with signature cocktails are our favourite is the Bumble Juice! Crafted with gin, lemon, agave, and cassis, this will be your go-to summer cocktail.

Location: 47 Clarence Street, Ottawa

7. Snake Oil from Apothecary Cocktail Lounge

Nestled in a building dating back to the 1800s, Apothecary serves artisanal spirits, craft cocktails, local beer, and exclusive wines. The “Snake Oil” is not only beautifully presented but tastes just as good as it looks. It’s crafted with basil-infused Tanqueray, Jägermeister, maraschino liqueur, simple syrup, pineapple, and egg whites. Perfect for spring! 

Location: 54 York Street, Ottawa

8. La Catalan from The Hyde

The Hyde offers a carefully curated selection of stirred and shaken cocktails in the heart of Downtown Ottawa. For a cocktail that’s both sophisticated and indulgent, look no further than their “La Catalan”, which features reposado tequila, Disaronno, Fernet Branca, pineapple and lime juice, and simple syrup.

Location: 15 George Street, Ottawa

9. Trinidad Sour from Stolen Goods Cocktail Bar

This local cocktail bar has a focus on low waste by using multi-use ingredients that are sourced (when possible) from their very own urban garden. They recently announced their Spring/Summer Cocktail Menu and it’s full of beautiful, tropical drinks that are perfect for the warm weather!

One of their new cocktails is the Trinidad Sour – a bold, audacious cocktail that’s crafted with angostura bitters, Wild Turkey 101: Bourbon, orgeat, and lemon. It’s not for the faint of heart but sure is delicious! 

Location: 106 Sparks Street, Ottawa

10. The Statesman from Zoe’s

If your date enjoys a spirit-forward cocktail, The Statesman from Zoe’s is sure to impress them! This showstopper is crafted with Canadian Club 100% Rye Whisky, Laphroaig Scotch, maple syrup, house bitters, cedar smoke, and fresh lemon. And the presentation is 10/10! 

Location: 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa (located inside the Fairmont Château Laurier)


Looking for local date ideas to add to your spring/summer bucket list? Click here to read all about our top unique date ideas in Ottawa to make the most of the warm weather! 

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