Debbie’s Summer Picks
Tanqueray No. Ten Gin
Tanqueray N° Ten is a London dry styled gin crafted with a unique combination of whole citrus fruits including grapefruit, orange, and lime, along with other traditional botanicals like juniper, coriander, and angelica root. It is well known for its exceptionally smooth and well-balanced flavour profile making it an ideal choice for many essential summer sippers.
The Sunshine Cup is a cool and refreshing cocktail to celebrate the return of the long and lazy days of summer.
Sunshine Cup Cocktail Recipe:
- 35ml Tanqueray N° Ten Gin
- 30ml Sweet Vermouth
- 15ml Aperol
- 150ml Ginger Ale
Fill a highball glass with ice and add all ingredients. Top with ginger ale and garnish with a strip of cucumber peel, a slice of strawberry, a slice of apple, slice of lemon and a sprig of mint.
Lurton Hacienda Araucano Alka Carmenere
The Araucano Alka is a rare 100% Carmenere wine produced with organic and biodynamic grapes from the exceptional Lolol area of the Colchagua Valley in Chile. The highly rated Alka is a unique and creative gift to celebrate the nuptials of all wine lovers. It is an exceptional experience that can be enjoyed now or in years to come.
Hacienda Araucano Alka Colchagua is an expressive and complex wine with aromas of black fruit, spice, and eucalyptus. Its powerful structure is balanced with silky tannins and flavors of sweet blackberry, raspberry, and tobacco notes. Serve the Alka Colchagua Carmenere with grilled Island beef topped with a cranberry blue cheese crust. Your tastebuds will thank you for it.
On the Rocks Margarita
On the Rocks Margarita is a bar quality ready to drink cocktail that offers a perfect taste of tequila, tart lime and triple sec. It is crafted with Hornitos double distilled Plate tequila which is deliciously clean and well-balanced. A refreshing and easy to serve cocktail to bring to any Labour Day gathering, just pour over ice and garnish with lime. Cheers to the long weekend!
Rutherford Hill Merlot 2019
As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s combination of climate, soil, and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy, and world-class versions.
Rutherford Merlot is full- bodied with layers of blueberry, raspberry, mocha, and graphite accents. The palate showcases well integrated, rich tannins and bright acidity that give way to a rich, round, savory finish.
Merlot is a very versatile food pairing wine and there are a wide range of foods you can choose from. The Rutherford Merlot is a bold, full bodied style that pairs with richer and heartier dishes such as steaks with red wine sauces, grilled lamb dishes and BBQ pork.
JD Shore Rum Cream
This maritime favorite is a wildly delicious and dangerously drinkable cream liqueur from the Halifax Distilling Company which is in our sister province of Nova Scotia. This rum cream is crafted with only 5 simple ingredients: barrel aged J.D. Shore Rum, cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, and cream.
A premium cream liquor JD Shore opens with aromas of fresh butterscotch, coconut, and caramel cream pie. The palate is rich, vibrant, and moderately sweet. It finishes with chocolate and delicate fruit and spice notes. Perfect for boozy coffee, cocktail concoctions, or simply over ice.
On your next camping trip, be sure to bring along a bottle of JD Shore Rum Cream to enjoy in an adult style S’more beverage.
Campfire S’mores Cocktail
(Makes 2 cocktails)
Ingredients
- 6 large marshmallows
- 4 tablespoons of chocolate syrup
- 4 tablespoon graham cracker crumbs
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz JD Shore Rum Cream
- 8 oz milk
- Ice
Instructions
- Pour the chocolate syrup on a plate and roll the glass in the syrup all the way around. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over top of chocolate and set aside to allow to harden/dry.
- Shake all other ingredients in a shaker with ice, Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds or until well-chilled.
- Add ice to the garnished glass and strain the cocktail into the glass.
- Toast marshmallows over a campfire or use a grill lighter to slightly singe each marshmallow.
- Place toasted marshmallows on top of drink.
Lone Oak Lemon + Lime Vodka Seltzer
If you are looking for a low-calorie, low-sugar alcoholic drink, hard seltzers are a great choice. Lemon Lime Vodka Seltzer is the latest addition to the quality beverages created by Lone Oak Brewery. Refreshingly clean and crisp with light carbonation it is a perfect summer sipper.
For a flavorful twist, add ice, mint and lime to a tall glass and top with Lone Oak Lemon + Lime Vodka Seltzer. This “Take Me to the Tropics” drink is a quick and easy recipe to add to your personal cocktail list.
Deep Roots Blueberry Liqueur
August is blueberry season on Prince Edward Island so it’s the perfect time to experience Deep Roots Distillery Blueberry Liqueur. This small batch family run distillery is located in Warren Grove, PEI.
The liqueur is made with 100% locally-sourced wild blueberries grown in our iron-rich red soil. The sweet aroma of ripe, juicy berries combined with the clean, crisp taste of their Island Tide spirit makes for a luscious late summer beverage.
Blueberry Rum Fizz
Serves: 1
Glass: Old Fashion
Ingredients
- 2 oz Fisherman’s Helper White Rum
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 oz Deep Roots Blueberry Liqueur
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- Club Soda
- Blueberries
Method
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle a handful of blueberries and sugar
- Add ice, rum, lemon juice & Blueberry Liqueur
- Strain into an iced filled cocktail glass
- Top with soda and garnish with blueberries
Gahan Blueberry Ale
The PEI Brewing Company’s, Gahan Blueberry Ale can be described as a fruit beer that isn’t afraid to be a beer. The unfiltered ale is made with all natural ingredients including fresh Island blueberries. A blueberry puree is introduced during fermentation which produces natural blueberry aromas with undertones of grain, herbs, citrus and dried flowers. The palate is dry and tangy with a crisp unsweetened blueberry finish. It’s well structured, fruity and smooth.
This fruity and carbonated ale is an ideal pairing with many dishes ranging from a Brie & Blueberry Grilled Cheese to the more sophisticated flavors of Pan Seared Duck with a savory blueberry sauce.
For a quick and tasty weekend snack to share with friends, try our Blueberry Ale, Red Onion and Lime Mussel recipe.
For the perfect refreshing beverage after a hot summer day, try a Blueberry Shandy prepared with Gahan Blueberry Ale:
Blueberry Shandy
Makes 1 drink.
Ingredients
- 10-12 Fresh Blueberries
- 1oz Simple Syrup
- Juice from one lemon
- 12oz of Gahan Blueberry Ale
Method
- Mash berries with a fork and remove skins
- Mix lemon juice and berries and stir
- Pour into the bottom of a chilled pint glass and top with blueberry ale
- Garnish with blueberries and lemon.
Folonari Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC
Folonari Pinot Grigio is a refreshing and vibrant wine that is perfect for summertime sipping. The wine is produced in stainless steel tanks which helps preserve its fresh aromas and flavours. It opens with citrus, clove and light floral notes. Fresh fruit, white pepper and balanced acidity follow through on the palate.
This is a versatile white wine which is well matched with light summery food. Lobster Caprese Skewers, Panzanella Salad and light pastas are just a few dishes that pair well with this dry and light bodied Pinot Grigio.
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