Recipe Round Up: Refreshing Summer Cocktails
Summer is finally here! Why not cool off with a unique, locally-inspired cocktail? We’ve put together a list of seasonal cocktail recipes, featuring a few of our local beverage producers and fresh local produce. Best enjoyed on a patio or in the comfort of your bubble – these refreshing cocktails are perfect for summer!
1.Blueberry Lavender Gin Fizz
Wild Nova Scotia blueberry juice perfectly compliments the local gin in this cocktail. Lavender syrup adds a floral sweetness for a refreshing finish. Ideal for a personal drink or a crowd pleasing punch at a backyard BBQ!
Local Source guide:
- Gin: Steinhart Distillery, Compass Distillers, Barrelling Tide Distillery, Still Fired Distillery, or Ironworks Distillery.
- Blueberry syrup: Van Dyk’s Wild Blueberry Juice
2. Le Vie en Rosé
Did someone say rosé? Featuring rhubarb gin, Earl Grey tea syrup, fresh strawberries, and local rosé – this cocktail tastes as good as it looks!
Local Source Guide:
- Rosé: Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards, Avondale Sky Winery, Benjamin Bridge, Blomidon Estate Winery, Gaspereau Vineyards, Grand Pre Wines, Jost Vineyards, L’Acadie Vineyards, Luckett Vineyards, Petite Riviere Vineyards, Planters Ridge Winery, Sainte Famille, or Mercator Vineyards.
- Earl Grey tea syrup: Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op,
- Rhubarb Gin: Barrelling Tide Distillery
3. Nova 7 Cocktail
If you’re a fan of Benjamin Bridge‘s Nova 7, you will love this light and refreshing cocktail! The grapefruit and herbs are the perfect marriage for the sweet lychee, passionfruit, and floral aromas of the Nova 7. It’s the ideal drink to sip on a hot summer day!
Local Source Guide:
- Vodka: Ironworks Distillery, Steinhart Distillery, Barrelling Tide Distillery, Coldstream Clear Distillery, Compass Distillers, Still Fired Distilleries, Authentic Seacoast, or Tipping Point Distillers.
- Nova 7: Benjamin Bridge
4.Blueberry “Bluenose” Spritzer
Named after the iconic Nova Scotia Bluenose – this cocktail is bursting with flavour! The blueberry wine, club soda, fresh blueberries, and your choice of either a lemon slice or cinnamon stick, gives the drink its refreshing taste. When blueberry season arrives, you can even pick your own blueberries for this recipe at the Lunenburg County Winery. Stay tuned for details on our upcoming blueberry season!
Local Source Guide:
- Fruit: Noggins Corner Farm Market, Masstown Market, Stirling Fruit Farm Ltd., Country Magic, Millen Farms or Bonnymans’ Wild Blueberries.
- Blueberry Wine: Lunenburg County Winery, Sainte-Famille Wines, Petite Riviere Vineyards, Casa Nova Fine Beverages or Jost Vineyards.
5. Basil Smash
Looking for a cocktail that’s not too sweet? Made with vodka, lime juice, and basil – this cocktail is packed with flavour and zest. It’s simple to make and perfect for those with a savoury palette. Enjoy this cocktail on a patio or with a small group of friends. You won’t be disappointed!
Local Source Guide:
- Vodka: Coldstream Clear Distillery, Ironworks Distillery, Steinhart Distillery, Barrelling Tide Distillery, Tipping Point Distillers, Compass Distillers, Authentic Seacoast, or Still Fired Distilleries.
6. Strawberry Cider Cocktail
What do you get when you mix cider and strawberry vodka? This delicious and tart strawberry cider cocktail. It’s the best of both worlds! Fresh local strawberries muddled together with crisp cider, strawberry vodka, and a spritz of lime – it’s just want you want in a summer cocktail!
Local Source Guide:
- Strawberries: Stirling Fruit Farm Ltd., Noggins Corner Farm Market, Country Magic, Millen Farms, or Masstown Market.
- Cider: Bulwark Cider, Lake City Cider, Chain Yard Urban Cidery, Chill Street Craft Beverages, Maritime Express Cider Co., Annapolis Cider Company, Casa Nova Fine Beverages, L’Acadie Vineyards, Meander River Farm, or Noggins Corner Farm Market.
- Strawberry Vodka: Steinhart Distillers
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