You can try cocktails through the ages at a historic venue in Toronto

There’s an opportunity coming up to travel back in time…through cocktails.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering about cocktail history, now’s your chance to learn a little more about the origins of classic cocktails, all on a patio at a very appropriately historical setting that’s over 100 years old.

A Cocktails Through the Ages tasting experience is happening soon at Old Mill, which will guide participants through the ages of the venue and certain cocktails. Not only will the experience teach you about the story behind the cocktails, the ingredients in them and how they were created, the tasting experience also includes a food pairing with each drink.

The experience includes four vintage cocktails and four food pairings, intertwined with education on Old Mill’s history. The four cocktails will be a Martinez, Corpse Reviver No. 2, Monte Carlo and current it girl cocktail of the moment, the espresso martini.

The Martinez originated in the 1860s/70s. Regarded as the precursor to the modern martini, it’s typically made with gin, vermouth, maraschino liqueur and orange bitters. It’s being paired with a spiced rubbed lamb sirloin served with a spring succotash of white beans, fava beans, bacon, corn and cherry tomatoes and a cherry balsamic compote.

The Corpse Reviver No. 2 originated in 1930 and usually contains gin, Lillet Blanc or absinthe, lemon juice and orange liqueur, and will be paired with Malpeque oysters with a pomegranate mignonette and prickly pear. The Monte Carlo is a rye-based cocktail from the 1950s that’s going to be served alongside braised pork belly with blueberry cornbread, jalapeno, pickled grapes and a blueberry gastrique.

The tasting will conclude with the iconic espresso martini originating back in 1983, paired with a cremoso dessert: a dark chocolate and toasted pecan brownie torte with espresso cremeux topped with coffee mascarpone, whipped ganache and candied pecans.

Tickets for the event are $110 and can be booked online. The event will take place at 21 West Patio at the Old Mill on June 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.