Northwood is one of a growing number of Toronto bars-by-way-of-cafes that see laptops and London Fogs exchanged for craft beers and well-made cocktails—all while the sun's still out.

The Vieux Carré ($11) is as classic as classic gets, and Northwood aims to stay true to the drink's Southern roots. Borrowing a nickname given to New Orleans' liveliest neighbourhood—the French Quarter—this cocktail packs a punch with Canadian Club rye, Courvoisier cognac, and Martini Rosso served on the rocks. While it retains the heat you'd expect, the boozy edges are tempered by a trinity of bitters—Benedictine, Angostura and Peychaud's—and the drink does best when sipped over the course of a half hour. 

Although we've previously featured a Northwood tipple—the intriguing Lady Grey Sour—their list of affordable cocktails deserves careful perusal. And considering that you can start imbibing around the noonday hour, you have plenty of time to indulge.

Northwood, 815 Bloor St. W., 416-846-8324