Debbie’s Summer Picks
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.
Benjamin Bridge Pet Nat
Benjamin Bridge Pet Nat is an aromatic and refreshing wine great for enjoying the summer sun on PEI. This perfumed wine shows both floral and herbal notes on the nose. It is crisp, light and slightly sparkling with mandarin orange, citrus and pear on the palate. Petillant natural is bottled prior to fully competing fermentation, allowing carbon dioxide to be produced by the natural sugars and yeast found in the grapes. Chill the can upright to allow the sediment to settle at the bottom. Benjamin Bridge Pet Nat is an ideal beach side companion or served as an aperitif.
Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin
Inspired by an original recipe from the 1880’s, Gordon’s Pink Gin is perfectly crafted to balance the refreshing taste of Gordon’s with the natural sweetness of raspberries and strawberries. It’s a refreshing gin with flavors of fresh raspberry and pink grapefruit on the palate with a touch of juniper on the finish. Serve with smoked salmon, shrimp and pork dumpling appetizers.
Afternoon Delight Peach Riesling Wine Cider Blend
Summertime and the sipping is easy with a can of Afternoon Delight in your hand!
The Chill Street is a dry Nova Scotian cider blended with Riesling wine and peach puree. This special blend shows notes of citrus, honey and crisp apple which is a tasty pairing with Coconut Shrimp and Greek Salad.
Chateau Routas Rouviere Rosé
Chateau Routas is a fuller style rosé from the Coteaux Varois en Provence, a key appellation of the Provence wine region in the south east of France. It is a blend of Gernache, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Routas Rouviere opens with subtle aromas of watermelon, ripe peach and floral notes. The palate comes alive with wild strawberries, stone fruit and just a hint of spice. On the finish expect crisp acidity, refreshing minerality and flint undertones.
Rosé is not just for sipping, it is also an amazing partner to a variety of summer dishes. The Routas Rosé makes a great companion to Nicoise Salad, Paella and Charcuterie boards. It’s a great option to red wine for a lighter summer BBQ wine.
Crisp and refreshing, rosé is an ideal beverage to beat the heat and works well with cocktails that feature rosé wine as a base.
Kiss from a Rosé Cocktail Recipe:
- 1-2 lemon wedges
- 1-2 slices of grapefruit
- Ice
- 6oz Routas Rosé wine
- 1oz Hendricks gin
- ½ oz of simple syrup
- Muddle the lemon wedges and grapefruit in the bottom of a glass.
- Add the ice, rosé, gin and simple syrup and shake.
- Strain into a wine glass and add the muddled lemon and grapefruit.
Samuel Adams Utopias
Samuel Adams Utopia is a special collection of extreme barrel aged beer, first bottled in 2002. This sought-after beer requires a time-intensive, multiyear aging and blending process. It is bottled in custom 25.4 ounce ceramic decanters which are shaped like a copper brewing kettle. The Utopia is the ultimate Father’s Day gift for the dad that really does have everything!
The 2019 edition is a blend of earlier batches of Samuel Adams’ extreme beers and was aged in wooden bourbon casks from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Portions of the beer were transferred to Aquavit, Carcavelos and Ruby port barrels to impart complex flavors to the beer. There is a subtle sweetness which is balanced by slight tartness and a deep rich malty smoothness. It is reminiscent of a vintage port or sherry but it is still technically a beer.
Samuel Adams recommends serving Utopia in small bowled Cognac or snifter glass at room temperature in one-ounce pours to enhance the aromas and flavors. For food pairings try Cobb Salads, Mango Chicken Chili or Fish and Chips.
* Only available at our Oaktree store in Charlottetown.
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.
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.
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