The end of summer may be fast approaching, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to pull out the pumpkin spice and fall decor just yet. Late summer plays host to some of the year’s best flavours (think: fresh stone fruits, botanicals and tropical juices). But what should you serve on those languid final patio evenings? These four delicious and easy-to-make drinks are just what you need to toast the end of summer. Dillon’s Whisky Peach Iced Tea, Glendalough Wild Botanical Negroni, Saturday Sun Brilliant White and White Claw Watermelon Vodka Spritz are the perfect treat for those summer nights and weekends that stay hot and humid long after the sun goes down.
Dillon’s Whisky Peach Iced Tea
Made with peach liqueur for sweetness, end-of-summer stone fruit goodness, rye whisky for a slight hit of spice, lemon juice and bitters for acidity (and to balance out the sweetness of the peach), this peach and rye whisky cocktail will transport you to the long, summer evenings spent chatting and drinking with friends on patios. A take on a sweet iced tea, this refreshing cocktail is just as easy to make. All that you need to do is gather the ingredients, stir with ice and strain over a glass with fresh ice – it’s the perfect low effort, high-impact cocktail for the end of everyone’s favourite season.
Glendalough Wild Botanical Negroni
Made with Glendalough’s Irish gin, this Negroni uses all the classic ingredients in the traditional cocktail: vermouth for sweetness and Campari for that complex bitterness. What makes this Negroni stand out is the Glendalough gin, which is made with more than just the typical juniper berries. This gin is created with wild, foraged botanicals and slow-distilled to bring out the delicate flavours hours after being gathered. With fresh notes of juniper, citrus and pine, this gin Negroni is a bit lighter and more floral than more traditional ones, making it a perfect bridge between the hot summer days and the cozy autumn nights that are fast-approaching. To make this cocktail, simply combine equal parts of each ingredient to a tumbler glass and stir before pouring into a glass with large ice cubes.
Saturday Sun Brilliant White
For those who prefer wine over spirits, Ontario-made Saturday Sun Brilliant White wine is a delicious and light blend of Riesling, Muscat Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and Vidal grapes for a satisfying fresh and fruity sip that also manages to be satisfyingly dry. Its lightness makes it a great end-of-summer drink, with enough brightness to refresh after a hot day without being heavy. With notes of melon and citrus, a glass of Brilliant White pairs perfectly with summer favourites, like a caprese salad and grilled chicken.
White Claw Watermelon
Who says delicious can’t come from a can? This cocktail is so easy to make you’ll be able to whip up a big batch with your eyes closed. All you need to do is combine White Claw’s five-time distilled vodka with a can of watermelon-flavoured White Claw hard seltzer for a lightly flavoured and perfectly fizzy vodka soda-like drink. Perfect for the final weekends at the cottage, this extraordinarily easy cocktail is best served ice-cold with a slice of watermelon as a garnish, to really emphasize the light flavour of the seltzer and the smoothness of the vodka.
