Summer Sippers

BY TOM FIRTH AND LINDA GARSON

Given the heat of the summer months, we've decided that rather than focusing on spirits, we could talk instead about all those coolers or ready to drink beverages that help take the edge off the summer heat. As we were working through a few of these new brands and offerings, it emerged that we were having a bit of a battle of the Caesars and a bit of a showdown of the hard iced teas too! Surely, if you enjoy a grown up drink now and then, you probably fit into at least one of those two camps!

We also have a few other and a few new RTD brands to cover from the lighter, sugar-free products that are so popular these days, but a few pretty exciting ones that have a big presence on the palate. Hopefully, we’ve caught your attention for at least a few of these that might deserve some space in your fridge!

Sipp “You Bet!” Smooth Ice Tea and Sipp Caesar, Canada

Both made with the Phantom Light Distillery’s (very, very good) vodka, these two summery drinks are a far cry away from the “flavour-lite” approach to cocktails. First off, the Iced Tea is bound to evoke memories of being a “Good Host” and making your own, sweeter iced tea with lots of flavour, maybe some ice, and vodka too, but alcohol flavours are quite subtle, and the Caesar is rich and muddy with lots of pepper and saltiness with a bit of zip. The only thing it was missing was the garnish. Both excellent, and refreshing. 4-pack cans. CSPC 111185 for You Bet and about $12, Caesar, CSPC 125703 and about $14

Bridgeland Distillery Berbon Peach Cocktail, Canada

Wow! If you’ve visited Bridgeland Distillery and enjoyed time sipping some of their classic in-house cocktails along with your pizza, fondue, and snacks, then you may have already enjoyed one of their Bridgeland Favourites – the “Berbon Peach”. And the good news is that they’ve now bottled it to drink at home! And it is a peach: a blend of Bridgeland’s signature Taber Corn Berbon, responsible for those buttery Werther’s Original caramel notes; a glorious white peach syrup (maybe they could bottle that and sell it for our bellinis!), and house made bitters to ground it. A little ice is all you need. CSPC 130882 $42 at the distillery

Matt & Steve’s Hot & Spicy Caesar, Canada

In addition to Matt & Steve’s popular range of pickled cucumbers, asparagus (asparagoos!), beans, rimmers, and their original, lightly spiced premixed Caesar, for those looking to kick it up a notch, they’ve now introduced a Hot & Spicy Caesar. It’s very close to its little sibling: made with premium Canadian vodka; tomato paste made from vine-ripened tomatoes; and always their Extreme Bean brine to thin it down and give a smoother mouthfeel, but now they’ve turned up the heat with the spices! We won’t judge, drink it straight from the can or go posh and add ice and garnishes from their Hot & Spicy range to your glass. Yahoo! CSPC 834805 $4-5 473 mL

Shore Break Rum + Soda, Canada

Brand new to the market and currently available in four flavours, Lychee Mint, Mango Lime, Passionfruit, Blood Orange and Guava, and finally Pineapple and Coconut. Not too sweet, and closer to the “nude” or light flavour trend in drinks they are lightly sparkling, and have rum to bring the “kick”. We were a bit divided as to our personal favourites, but these should be served nice and cold, and they’ll likely appeal to newer or younger consumers, or those looking for something a little different. About $12-14 and also available in a mix pack.

Fever Tree Margarita, Mojito, and Caesar Cocktail Mixes, England

Fever-Tree are such a class act. They’re respected worldwide for their emphasis on natural ingredients in their range of mixers, and it follows suit in their new range of Cocktail Mixes. Margarita, Mojito, and Caesar cocktail mixes come in 750 mL heavy glass bottles (each making five drinks), for some of the easiest and tastiest cocktails on the market. We’ve tried them all (several times, they’re that good!), and a quick shake/ stir with ice and around 1-1½ ounces of tequila, rum, or vodka respectively, you have a lip-smacking, bar-worthy, tasty cocktail with a heavier body weight than you might expect too! 750 mL around $9-13

Sortilège Peach and Pear Whisky Lemonade, Canada

It’s not easy to make ready-to-drink, sparkling, fruit-flavoured cocktails in commercial quantities. We know, as we try hundreds of them to be able to tell you of products that we can hold up our hands and say, ‘this is good’. And we can tell you – sadly, many of them don’t make it onto these pages. However, the new Peach and Pear Whisky Lemonade from Sortilège, we’re thrilled to say we can stand behind – it’s really good! They’ve managed to get the balance just right: not too sweet, not too tart, and the right amount of sparkling water.

You’ll know it’s peach and you’ll know it’s pear, and you’ll know there’s whisky there too. CSPC 127215 (4-pack) around $15

Distillery Espresso Chocolate Orange Martini Canada

A collaboration between Cappuccino King and Bridgeland Distillery last year resulted in a deep, rich roast, full-on coffee brandy, and this year the clever folk at the distillery have taken it one step further. Using the coffee brandy as a base, they’ve added chocolate nibs and then their Orange Brandy to produce a small-batch, readymade, orangey, chocolatey, coffee (or you might call it mocha) cocktail with a smooth and slightly oily (in a good way) mouthfeel, that calls for one of those big crystal-clear ice cubes that doesn’t melt too quickly –and life is good. CSPC 126125 $42 at the distillery

Sun Cruiser Iced Tea Vodka, Canada

Things have come a long way since knocking back "Long Island Iced Teas" from back in the day — or at least in my day. Sun Cruisers is offering a more refined, teacentric, bubble-free iced tea that is about 4.5% ABV too. So, it's a more reasonable sip for today’s pace. Not too dry, but not cloying either, well-chilled and enjoyed by the waterside is the way to go, or at the very least with scads of ice, a wedge of lemon, and maybe an umbrella! Iced tea is the best (of course) but available too in a mixed pack with lemonade, peach, raspberry, and the classic. CSPC 129449 (variety pack) 12-pack - $26-$30

Slammables “Pink Drink” Strawberry Banana, Alberta

This one is a little on the crazy side – your brain thinks pink lemonade, but its actually strawberry banana flavoured. With an impressive amount of natural ingredients, lightly carbonated, and not too much sugar, and not too much alcohol taste, it’s impressively casual, and will be a hit around the lakeside, campsite, and bonfire. At 7% it’s a bit more of a party drink but will find some enthusiasts for sure this summer.

CSPC 125665 (4-pack) About $18-19

Smirnoff Vodka Cocktails

So glad that the trend of very lightly flavoured drinks seems to be waning – just like the impact these drinks have on the tastebuds that want a little excitement. Naturally, they are vodka-based, and come in three sparkling flavours currently in a 12 can mix-pack. These are a little on the sweet side, but the Cosmo Bellini is a new favourite with lots of cranberry flavours, the Raspberry Mule is a must for raspberry fans with a wee kick of ginger. Passionfruit was enjoyed by the tasting panel, but more so by the passionfruit enthusiasts. Served cold, these are better in a glass, but certainly easy to enjoy. CSPC 121936 $33-36

Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager and Red Rice Ale, Japan

Such a lovely pair of products for beating the heat and taking a break from the sun. The Red Rice Ale is a great beer for the evenings with some malt-style flavours but also a lifted, cleaner rice flavour too that just seems so civilized – serve cool but not too cold. The Yuzu lager seems like a perfect pairing with the bright citrus notes of yuzu with a refreshing, clean lager. Served icy cold, it’s a delicious treat and perhaps tastes best pulled out of an ice-filled cooler on a scorching hot day. Each sold singly. CSPC 740191 Red Rice Ale, 831210 Yuzu Lager CSPC $5-6