A Collaboration Post With @thewine_wiz and BevyKits
For this post, I was able to join forces with two awesome individuals. I want to give them a huge shout out for their contributions. We hope you enjoy indulging in our summer drinks list!
Let’s Breathe in Some Fresh, Summer Air
Summer is finally here! It’s time to pack our snowbrushes away and enjoy the few months we get of warm, Canadian happiness. Unfortunately, the summer months up here are shorter than I’d like them to be. You win some, you lose some.
So grab your flannels, your kayak, your Timmies, and head on down to the LCBO. We need some cottage essentials!
The Following Presentation Is Brought to You By:
For those who follow me on Instagram, you may be familiar with the Canuck Kitchen Picks. This was something that I started last summer. For those who aren’t familiar, any time you see this symbol, it means the item has been approved by the Kitchen Wizards.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of fake love out there. Canuck Kitchen Picks are things I genuinely love and want to share with the world! We don’t believe in that fake, gimmicky stuff here.
Canuck Kitchen’s Awesome Summer Drinks
BevyKits
Impress your friends, your hot date, your roommates, or your TikTok audience. With BevyKits, you are the star of the show! Since March 2022, these mix and master kits have been making their way around the Niagara region and surrounding area.
Be a world-renowned mixologist in the comfort of your own home, without all the guesswork. BevyKits will provide you with everything you need so you can be the “star-tender” you’ve always aspired to be. From beer to rum to wine, there’s a handcrafted cocktail kit for everyone!
Craving something that’s not on the menu? Custom kits are available by request. BevyKits will craft a signature cocktail that is perfectly tailored for you.
Take advantage of the front door service and order one of these kits today!
Top Summer Wines – Selected and Written by Jacob Gigliotti @thewine_wiz
Aveleda Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde is a wine made in northern Portugal that is so light and refreshing in style that it just screams summer time. They are typically lower in alcohol (so you can drink more) and are even bottled semi-sparkling, meaning it might be a little bubbly but not like a full-on sparkling wine (Champagne, Prosecco, etc.).
Expect a dry and very tangy wine with a lot of green citrus aromas, which is where the name Vinho Verde (green wine) came from. This one by Aveleda is consistently available at the LCBO and always sells for a very reasonable price.
Konzelmann Pinot Blanc
The Niagara Region is perfectly suited to make amazing white wines that are perfect for summer sipping, so there are a lot to choose from here. Grapes like Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio are fairly consistent across the board, but one wine that tends to fly under the radar is the Pinot Blanc at Konzelmann.
Pinot Blanc is very closely related to Pinot Grigio, so expect a similar style, but what I love about it is how clean and easy drinking it is. Its on the dry side but is still really well balanced and crowd pleasing in style. Expect aromas of grapefruit and orchard fruit (apple, pear, etc.) with a smooth and refreshing finish.
Dr. L Riesling
Now if you prefer sweeter wines, Riesling is a wine that often comes to mind. Germany is among the best in the world for Riesling and there is no region more famous than Mosel. Here vines are often planted on very steep slopes (some even over 50 degrees!) which creates ideal conditions. Dr. L is one of the entry level wines from Dr. Loosen, which is one of the regions top producers.
Riesling here is lower in alcohol and very well balanced, with the perfect amount of sweetness and acidity in the wine. A must try for the price!
Dry Rose
Rose wines have become very trendy over the years and there’s definitely a reason for that. Most people think of Rose as a neon pink sweet wine, and although there is no shortage of options for sweeter ones, its pale coloured dry styles that have really blown up recently.
At the forefront of dry Rose production is Provence in Southern France, an area along the Mediterranean coast that’s usually really hot. Locals here have historically always preferred Rose because it can be a hot weather alternative to red wine. One of the best and most popular Provence Roses money can buy is called Whispering Angel. This wine basically set the benchmark for the rest of the world when it comes to dry Rose, so you can’t really go wrong here.
If you’re looking for a better value though, there’s another one from a different part of Southern France that drinks way above its price point called L’Orangerie. With either you can expect a dry and refreshing wine with aromas of fresh red fruit (strawberry, cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, etc.) and citrus (blood orange, pink grapefruit, etc.).
Sparkling Wine
You can never really go wrong with Sparkling wine for any occasion, but few things hit as good as a chilled glass of sparkling on a hot summer day. Shopping for sparkling wine can be a bit confusing so here are some tips and recommendations.
Firstly, the way sparkling wines are carbonated has a huge effect on how they taste and how they cost. Usually, more affordable ones are made its what’s known as the tank method. This is where the wine ferments in a pressurized stainless steel tank which allows the natural carbon dioxide produced by the fermentation to carbonate it.
Italy’s Prosecco wine is probably the best example of this style. They’re much more fruit forward and easy drinking compared to other sparkling’s, while also being less expensive. Now there are a lot of them to choose from and you can’t really go wrong with any, but the Ruffino Prosecco I can always be confident in recommending.
Champagne and Other Bubbly’s
Another way sparkling wine gets its bubbles is by fermenting it inside the bottle, and this is known as the traditional method. Although this method gives you the smoothest bubbles and most complex flavours, it is much more expensive to make.
The most famous traditional method sparkling wine is from the Champagne region of France. If you wanted to try one that doesn’t break the bank as much as other Champagnes then I’d recommend the Champagne by Nicolas Feuillate, which is one of my favorite producers.
Traditional method sparkling wines from other regions can’t be called “Champagne” but make wines equally as good or if not better. Look for these more affordable alternatives, J.Lauren from Limoux (France), Bernard Massard (Luxembourg), and don’t forget about Niagara sparklings (which are some of the best in the world) like this one by Chateau Des Charmes.
Red Wines
Red wines can be hard to pair with summer because they are usually very dry and not exactly refreshing. There are some styles that work if red wines really are your thing. Look to red wines that are low in tannins (bitterness extracted from the grape skins) and more fruit forward in style.
A great example would by the Syrah by Porcupine Ridge from South Africa, which is not only a great value but also a very easy drinking red that is perfect for BBQ.
Wines made in Niagara are also great for this situation because the regions cool climate naturally makes lighter style wines. You can’t go wrong with the Vineland Estates Cabernet Franc if you like dry wines or the Henry Of Pelham Baco Noir if you want something a little sweeter and very fruity.
Sangria
One way that really makes sense to use red wine in the summer is to make sangria.
Making sangria can be a little more work than just cracking open a bottle of wine though, at least until this amazing pre-mixed one came along from Rosewood Estate Winery in Niagara. It combines the winery’s red wine with Willibald Pink Gin, Norfolk County Blueberry juice, Niagara Peaches and honey wine to make one of the most refreshing drinks around.
Serve chilled and even add your favourite fruit or sparkling water to jazz it up, plus some fresh basil or an orange twist to complete the experience.
The bags it comes in are also freezer proof, which means that you can stick it in the freezer and enjoy it like a giant alcohol infused freezie! This one unfortunately is not available at the LCBO but check out the winery website to place an order: https://rosewoodwine.com/collections/red/products/no-bad-days-sangria-bagnum?variant=40946881167551
Vodka Sodas, Ciders, and Other Summer Drinks
Nutrl Vodka Soda
Nutrl is the perfect summer drink with only three simple ingredients: sparkling water, vodka, and natural flavour. I truly admire the simplicity of this drink and the fact that it doesn’t have any artificial sweeteners or added sugar. Also, did you read the first part? It’s mainly water. So that’s healthy, right?!
Nutrl is sponsored by the NHL and, as a proud Canadian, it really is my game-day drink of choice. (My go-to flavour is cherry; it always hits the spot.) If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, Nutrl also offers vodka sodas mixed with 100% real fruit juice.
Lake of Bays Tropical Twister
Pucker up! This unique brew is a must try. This tastes best when paired with a sunny destination and a turquoise beach. Close your eyes, and Lake of Bays will take you there. Tropical Twister is an amazing flavour fusion combining the tastes of sour candy and beer.
This is a perfect summer beverage that I definitely dig at any time of day. It’s Canadian and hand-crafted in small batches. What more could you ask for?
Not your thing? No worries, Lake of Bays offers other varieties and flavours to get your party on.
Lost Craft Summer Session Pilsner
Let me introduce you to your newest summer companion. With a name like “Summer Session”, it has to make the VIP list. This beer is very light, crisp, and has an exceptional fruity taste. Summer Session is also brewed with real guava and passionfruit puree, so you know you’re getting the real stuff. How are Canadians this incredibly awesome?
Lost Craft also has its own brewery located in Toronto. Take a day off, relax on the dog-friendly patio, and order some delectable fare.
Social Lite Vodka Soda
If you’re a fan of Nutrl, or just about any vodka soda, you will love Social Lite. Yet again, the Canadians have managed to hit the spot. They follow the same philosophy with no sugar, artificial sweeteners, etc. From triple berry, to pineapple mango, and blood orange, I can guarantee you’ll find a flavour to satisfy your tastebuds. Field Strawberry is my personal favourite.
For those that have more of a sweet tooth, Social Lite also has a wide range of other products. Check out the lemonade vodka sodas, spiked fruit punches, or even a craft selzer.
If you check out their website, you can also find some recipes to craft up some delicious madness.
Eden Grove Hibiscus Blossom
This is another one that got me because the can is really pretty. Hibiscus Blossom by Eden Grove is yet another perfect summer drink. Eden Grove ciders are gluten-free and vegan-friendly, and that makes everybody happy. This one, in particular, I could sip on all day long. It’s a delicious, well-balanced blend with flavour notes of apple and florals.
Mike’s Hard White Freeze
Cream soda lovers unite! Take yourself back to your childhood but with an adult twist. At this point, I feel like most of us are familiar with the Mike’s Hard brand, but this one is a definite must-try, especially if you have a sweet tooth. Drink it as is or have an extremely satisfying experience by making it into a slushie or pouring it into an ice-filled glass. I have yet to try it with ice cream, but I feel that’s just a tad too much sugar for one day. Blue, Red, and Pink Freeze are the other flavours available if this doesn’t tickle your fancy.
Flying Monkeys 12 Minutes to Destiny
Fly high with Flying Monkeys! This brew is perfect for those who love beer with a hint of sweetness. Raspberry adds the perfect amount of flavour and this beer is damn delicious. I’m not going to lie, I initially bought this because of how cool it looks. Each can is crafted with interesting flavours and is accompanied by awesome art. If you’ve ever wanted to start making DIY beer can planters, these are the cans to use.
Pommies Cider
A crisp, balanced, delicious brew crafted in Ontario, Canada. Flavour-wise, I feel that this cider leans more towards the apple side rather than the beer side. I could taste a hint of pear as well. It’s a great brew for those who are new to ciders, alcohol in general, or those who don’t really like that “bite” that beer gives. I could seriously chug can after can because it’s not as bubbly as you’d expect it to be. Discover this delicacy, which is made with the finest Ontario apples. Although, this is a summer drink list, but this one is also suitable for fall as well.
Beer
I’m German. We love beer. You love beer. Everybody loves beer. It’s always so refreshing to crack open a cold one after a long, hot day. We love and appreciate all beers here at Canuck Kitchen.
Didn’t Make The Cut?
Have a summer favourite that didn’t make the list? Give me a shout! I’d love to add it.