Raise a glass to toast the arrival of summer with one of these berry-hued refreshers.
CALVET CELEBRATION BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ
An elegant and lively sparkling rosé in a bottle to match. Creamy and rounded palate with light strawberry notes. Available in Ontario at LCBO (#16327, $16.95).
SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT ROSÉ D.O. CAVA
This sparkling rosé is made mostly from trepat, a rare red grape found in north-eastern Spain. Medium-bodied with strawberry, red currant and floral notes. Available in Ontario at LCBO (#16306, $15.95).
JUNCTION 56 RHUBARB GIN
Made from the most spring-like of ingredients, locally-sourced rhubarb gives Junction 56 Rhubarb Gin its distinct flavour and colour. Sip on the rocks or top it up with soda or tonic for sweet-tart perfection. Available at the LCBO in Ontario (#16911, $24.95); or at junction56.ca
LEVENSWATER SPRING 34 GIN
This pink-hued gin is created in Niagara Falls from natural potato spirit, then infused with 34 botanicals to create a delicate flavour and balanced aromatics. Inspired by Toronto’s Kensington Market. Available at the LCBO in Ontario (#645697, $50); or at levenswater.com
THE PROFESSOR’S NEGRONI BY DILLON’S
All Dillon’s products are inspired by Canadian pride and a love of fine spirits. Their pre-mixed cocktails are no different, created by a top mixologist from Toronto. Their version of the classic negroni is crafted with Dillon’s Dry Gin 7, Sweet Vermouth and Professor Dillon’s aperitivo liqueur. Each bottle pours two cocktails, four per pack. Available in Ontario at LCBO (#11423, $19.90); or at store.dillons.ca
ACE HILL RASPBERRY VODKA SODA
This Toronto-based brand is creating beer, radler and vodka soda beverages, made with all-natural fruit. With only 90 calories, Ace Hill Raspberry Vodka Soda is infused with a dash of real raspberry juice and has no added sugar. The palate is light-bodied and fruity with a delicate spritz and a crisp, clean finish. Available in Ontario at LCBO (#14483, #$2.80 each); or at drinkacehill.com
WATERLOO BREWING WATERMELON RADLER
Waterloo Brewing has created two new fruit-forward radlers by combining their craft lager with real fruit juices to blend the new Watermelon and Tart Cherry varieties. Available in Ontario at LCBO (#19544, @2.95); local delivery at waterloobrewing.com
THORNBURY CRAFT CIDER
From Ontario’s Thornbury Village Cidery (and Brewery), Raspberry Apple Cider features aromas of fresh-picked raspberries and a delightful tartness. Rosé Apple Cider is a blend of premium apple cider and Canadian red wine for flavours of red berry and apple with a silky-smooth finish. Both available at Thornbury Cider & Brew House; thornburycraft.com