Northern Lights: a Peachy Drink With Yukon Jack

Many versions of the Northern Lights cocktail exist. Some very literal ones layer liqueurs and juices to create the effect of the beautiful aurora, or polar lights, and some will simply mix a random collection of drinks and juices to make a flavorful cocktail that doesn't resemble anything at all. But the true Northern Lights, well, they need to come from up north, and they need to emulate the mesmerizing light display of the aurora. Thus the Yukon Jack. This easy and warming cocktail seems to have been created thinking of the cold polar environment, in which you need some extra heat to keep comfortable and some sweetness to comfort you. Made with peach Schnapps, cranberry and orange juice, and Yukon Jack, a Canadian whiskey-based honey liqueur, its flavors and colors mix to perfectly into a pretty, fruity cocktail. Easy to make, and budget-friendly, this is a great cocktail for winter holiday parties as it takes just 3 minutes to mix.

If you've never had Yukon Jack, you're in for a real treat. A lesser known whiskey liqueur, this Canadian product has been around for many decades but gained fame in the 1970s when it crossed the border into the United States. Supposedly named after Jack McQuesten, an explorer and gold prospector, the liqueur quickly earned a place on the shelves of many bars (and home bars) thanks to smart advertisement campaigns that named it “The Black Sheep of Canadian Liquors.” At 100 percent proof, who wouldn't want a taste of the drink this Canadian adventurer drank to keep warm in the cold Yukon nights? Compared to the "other" Jack, from Tennessee, Yukon Jack is a bolder choice of drink. Very sweet and potent, Yukon Jack earned its place in the States, but it has sadly taken a back seat in recent years as parent company Diageo didn't make this liqueur a priority and later sold it back to the Canadian Sazerac Company. But you still can find it in old-school bars and dives, and a glass of it on the rocks can be a potent yet delicious offering.

Sweet and warming, this cocktail gets the best from zesty, sweet fruits and the beloved peach Schnapps. Served in a tall glass filled with ice, this is a sippable drink that is perfect as a pre-dinner cocktail, but also great for a post-meal conversation or more lively cocktail hour.