Debbie’s Summer Picks
Lillet Blanc
Lillet Blanc is an aperitif from France made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes with macerated fruit liqueurs. Beautiful aromas of tropical fruit, honey, orange and subtle spice appear on the nose. The palate is lush with hints of both fruit and vegetal notes. The finish is slightly bitter with vibrant acidity. A refreshing beverage to serve with a plate of crudités, olives and cheese; a great start to an evening of al fresco dining.
While Lillet Blanc is delicious on ice, with a twist of lemon and a splash of soda, it’s also a brilliant cocktail ingredient. Low-proof and nicely balanced, it blends seamlessly with many spirits without overwhelming them, much like vermouth.
Sunday in The Park
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Lillet Blanc
- 1.5 oz Makers Mark Kentucky Bourbon
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- ¼ oz of Simple syrup
- Dash of Angostura Bitters
- 2 Sprigs of Thyme
- 2 oz Soda Water
Method
- In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine all the ingredients including the thyme.
- Shake hard, strain into a tall glass with fresh ice.
- Add an ounce or two of soda water to top it off and garnish with a new thyme sprig.
Gahan 6 Hours of Sun
6 Hours of Sun is a special blend of apples fermented with champagne yeast. The result is a semi-dry cider with a subtle fresh apple flavor. Its medium bodied, lightly effervescent with a slight bittersweet finish. To produce juicy, cider-ready apples, a tree needs to soak up at least 6 hours of sun a day; 6 Hours of Sun is perfect name for this refreshing summer beverage.
Carbonation, lower alcohol and natural fruitiness made cider an ideal partner with an assortment of dishes. It’s a great pairing with Penne Florentine or Coconut Curry Halibut.
Parallele 45 Organic Cotes du Rhone Rosé
The Parallele Organic Rosé is a fresh, mineral driven salmon hued wine from Southern Rhone. It has aromas of wild berries, blackcurrant and pepper notes. It is medium bodied, well rounded with interesting spice notes on the palate. It’s a perfect hot weather sipping wine and a great pairing with a variety summer inspired dishes. Try serving with a spicy Grilled Chicken and Blackberry Corn Salsa or Grapefruit, Spinach and Avocado Salad.
The Rosey New York Sour is a summery twist on a classic cocktail. Fun and refreshing it’s perfect for patio sipping or a great welcome cocktail to serve at any backyard gathering.
Rosy New York Sour
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients
- 2 oz Forty Creek Copper Pot Whisky
- ¾ oz Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 1 oz Parallele Organic Rosé
Method
- Pour whisky, lemon juice and simple syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake until chilled.
- Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Slowly pour rosé over the back of a spoon to float on top of cocktail.
Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay
This Western Cape wine shows appealing aromas of apricot, coconut, orange peel and a touch of baking spice. Flavors of marzipan, sponge cake and oak are balanced with refreshing minerality and lingering acidity. The Rustenberg Chardonnay is medium bodied that feature ripe and spicy fruit notes on the finish.
The Rustenberg Chardonnay pairs well with Lobster Salad featuring citrus and fennel or with Maple, Orange and Beetroot Cured Salmon.
Moosehead Small Batch Strawberry Rhubarb Milkshake IPA
This is a juicy, citrusy milkshake IPA brewed with strawberries and rhubarb from PEI. A generous amount of strawberry and rhubarb were added to the fermentation to give the beer a strong fruit back bone that’s subtly sweet and yet a little tart which makes it a perfect summertime sipper.
Berry-based fruit beers add a jam-like quality to baked Brie, as the sweet and tart flavors of the beer pair with the creamy, buttery texture of the cheese. The Moosehead Milkshake IPA is great with both salads and desserts. It adds a bright, fruity contrast to salads with toasted nuts, blue cheese or feta crumbles, and acidic dressings. Pair with Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits for a truly delicious pairing!
El Jimador Tequila Reposado
El Jimador Reposado is a 100% agave which is barrel rested for two months for smoothness and complexity. There are notes of light oak and vanilla on the nose, with cinnamon and a touch of earthiness on the palate. It has a medium length finish with white pepper and agave appearing initially before a quick hint of agave nectar and cherry finish things off.
Tequila is an essential spirit for summer time entertaining. It is the base of many classic cocktails including The Paloma, Margaritas and Tequila sours. For a refreshing twist on the classic margarita make the Cucumber Basil Margarita your featured summer cocktail.
Cucumber Basil Margarita
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz EI Jimador Reposado
- 3/4 oz McGuinness Simple Syrup
- 3/4 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz Triple Sec
- 2 fresh basil leaves
- 3-4 slices cucumber
Method
- Coat the rim of a margarita glass with salt.
- Combine basil, cucumber, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Muddle well.
- Add ice and remaining ingredients, shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled margarita glass over fresh crushed ice.
- Garnish with a cucumber and lime wheel.
Colliding Tides Gin Twist
Perfect for pool side daydreaming is the Colliding Tides Gin Twist. This is the first locally made ready to drink beverage, a collaborative effort between Myriad Distillery and the PEI Brewing Company.
It’s a perfect blend of PEI gin and citrus juices. With a lower sugar content and lighter carbonation it’s a category changer!
Mott’s Clamato Caesar The Works
For a fresh alternative to red wine during BBQ season try Mott’s Clamato Caesar The Works. It has the traditional flavors of Mott’s Clamato juice with a balanced blend of seasoning, extra spices, hot sauce and horseradish.
A great pairing with grilled meat and a tangy horseradish cream.
Black Fly Vodka Citrus
Black Fly Vodka and Tequila Mixed Drinks are made with real pure juices,7% spirits and lightly sweetened with cane sugar. They are low in sweetness compared to other Ready to Drink Beverages and are balanced and refreshing. PEI Liquor offers 5 assorted flavors of this unique summertime beverage.
Black Fly bottles are light weight, resealable and recyclable which make them a fantastic choice for pool parties, sailing adventures or hikes along the coast. The producers have even made the mouth of the bottle wide enough to slip in some ice during those sizzling days of summer.
Black Fly beverages are already pre-mixed but get creative and use some interesting glassware and garnishes to bring some splash to these summer beverages. For a great pre-dinner refreshment fill a champagne flute 2/3 full of any Black Fly beverage, top with sparkling wine and add seasonal fruit. It’s a great drink to celebrate the arrival of summer.
Black Fly Mimosa
- Fill a champagne flute 2/3 full of your favorite Black Fly Beverage
- Top with sparkling wine
- Add seasonal fruit