Drinks of the Summer
What's the hottest sipper for summer? We've invited beverage alcohol experts to chime in with their thoughts on everything under the sun.
Spirit of the Summer: Mezcal
“Spirits lovers have always been obsessed with chasing a wisp of smoke,
from charred-barrel bourbon to campfire Scotch. Tequila fans are falling for the smoldering notes in its sibling agave spirit, mezcal. Mexico’s traditional production methods, such as cooking agaves in underground pits before distillation, only add to mezcal’s mystique”
Charlene Rooke, Drinks Editor.
Try These Mezcals and Serving Suggestions
Amarás Espadin Verde Mezcal
This bottle of mezcal has a lovely floral whiff with intensely smoky flavours, and the labels feature work by Mexican artists.
Madre Mezcal
Roasting the agaves in outdoor pits and fermenting them with wild ambient yeast gives this spirit authentically earthy, funky notes.
Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
Del Maguey made mezcal more accessible, releasing exquisite varieties from single Mexican villages. This mezcal is perfect for cocktails.
How-to Serve
Use mezcal in Margarita and Ranch Water cocktails, or serve it traditionally (straight, with orange wedges and savoury salt for nibbling between sips). Bittersweet cocktails complement mezcal’s smoke: it shines in Negronis and the modern classic Naked and Famous (named for a lyric in the 1996 Tricky song “Tricky Kid”).
More Trending Summer Spirits
Soju, Korea’s vodka like spirit, in lower alcohol flavoured styles like Good Day Lychee Soju or Pineapple Soju, both 13.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV). Chum Churum Saero is a sugar free option and 16 per cent ABV.
New generation flavoured vodkas feature trending tastes and create easy Highballs when poured over crushed ice and topped with soda. Try deep purple AU Black Grape Vodka and juicy Polar Ice Orange Blizzard Flavoured Vodka.
Cocktail of the Summer: Paloma Picante
“Summer’s ‘it’ drink is a simple, fresh and lightly spicy blanco tequila cocktail: think of it as this year’s Spicy Margarita. The Paloma Picante follows the so-called complex heat trend, which is all about balancing spice with other flavour elements, like salt, sweetness and acidity. Between its bright citrus, subtle fizz and sweet heat on the finish, this cocktail truly has it all”
Christine Sismondo, cocktail writer.
Find Tequilas and More Summer Cocktails
Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Platino
This is an impressive, full-bodied spirit, rich in sweet cooked-agave flavour, light vanilla and a little pepper.
Siempre Tequila Plata
From a company founded by a Canadian and Mexican couple, Siempre Tequila Plata is bright and crisp, making it ideal for mixing or sipping.
More Trending Cocktails
If the Paloma Picante is the descendant of the Spicy Margarita, then it follows that the Oyster Martini (the Dirty Martini with a seaside, snacky spin) and the El Vice Presidente (our low-alc riff on the El Presidente) have also earned spots in this year’s Cocktails of the Summer family.
Ready-to-Drink Flavour of the Summer: Mai Tai
“Tropical cocktails are delicious in hot weather, but often require multiple spirits, juices and unusual syrups andingredients like orgeat or falernum. Keep it summer-easy with pre-made ver sions of the Mai Tai, an iconic tropical rum cocktail that’s having its moment in the sun. Pour it over crushed ice and garnish with a fat bouquet of mint, plus half a lime.” Charlene Rooke, Drinks Editor
Try These Pre-made Mai Tais and Pairings
Cutwater Rum Mai Tai
Notes of rum and lime get juiced with pineapple and creamy coconut flavour in the canned Cutwater Rum Mai Tai.
Trader Vic’s Mai Tai
Trader Vic’s Mai Tai is inspired by the rum-forward version at the original California tropical bar, where the drink was invented by founder Vic “The Trader.”
Food Pairings
Assemble your own pupu platter with items like coconut shrimp, spring rolls, fried wontons and our savoury vegetarian Spicy Grilled Tofu Skewers with Quick-Pickled Vegetables.
More Trending Ready-to-Drink Options
Another modern classic, four-part cocktail (like the Naked and Famous), the Paper Plane combines bourbon, Aperol, amaro and lemon juice in equal measure. Maverick House Cocktails Paper Plane is an Ontario craft version that’s ready to chill and pour. Spiked soda fountain–inspired cans make grown-up summer treats: try Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola or Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and SVNS Hard 7UP Original or Lemonade.
Wine of the Summer: Premium Rosé
“While trends like frosé, brosé and all-day rosé were fun, premium rosés can be genuinely intriguing wines, with grown-up complexity and depth. Just like roses, rosés come in all shades and grades. Try one a bit darker, drier or more top-shelf than you’d normally buy, and taste for yourself — they are incredibly summer-food friendly”
Dick Snyder, wine writer
Try These Rosés
The Beach by Whispering Angel AOC Coteaux
In an environmentally-friendly, light-weight glass bottle, this wine is refreshingly crisp, with subtle aromatics, red-berry notes and good length on the finish.
JNSQ Rosé Cru
With a little je ne sais quois, JNSQ Rosé Cru gives a cheeky nod to France in a vivid California wine with cherry and herb notes.
Mimi en Provence Grande Réserve Rosé
This rosé is the palest of pinks yet bursts with red fruits, including juicy watermelon.
Beer of the Summer: Citrus Beer
“With travel to far-flung beaches more popular than ever, it only follows that we return home craving vacation vibes. Crisp beers with a bright explosion of lemon, orange or lime taste exactly right in the Ontario summer heat. Think of them as next-generation radlers: refreshing and citrus bright.”
Jordan St. John, beer writer
Try These Citrusy Beers and Serving Suggestions
Peroni Nastro Azzuro Stile Capri
Inspired by flavours of the lemons and olive leaves grown on the Italian island, this brew brings the seaside vibe of Capri to your cooler.
Left Field Sno-Cone Lemon Lime Gose
With just 4 per cent ABV, this sour beer is a tart, lighter choice that just begs to be poured over crushed ice.
Burdock Lime Gose
This beer is sour, salty, lower in alcohol and perfect for hot summer days and night.
How-to Enjoy
Use tall, refrigerated or frozen glasses, and serve these beers ice-cold, in smaller pours, to keep the big chill on them. A slice or squeeze of citrus and perhaps a pinch of sea salt are welcome complements.
More Trending Summer Beers
In a sign of things to come, last year Modelo Especial became America’s most popular beer. We’re predicting that crisp Mexican beers (think Corona, Tecate, Dos Equis), Mexican- style beers (like Ace Hill Mexican-style Lager) and Margarita-style beers (like High Park Eat the Worm Margarita Sour) will crush summer 2024.
