Sara Waxman, OOnt, is an award-winning restaurant critic, best-selling cookbook…
Whenever I have fallen in love, it has been in the month of May. It is the world’s favourite month, when all things seem possible. These first warm days entice us to sweep up the front porch or the balcony of winter debris, sit ourselves down, put our feet up and enjoy the sounds of birds chirping and grass growing. But wait, there is something missing in this picture–a long cool drink. Try some of my favorite new drinks in the marketplace, and pour a glass or two.
Emiliana Organic Vineyards
My mom always said, “Every day is Mother’s Day,” and I agree. You can give your mom a gift every day of the year, but to make it a really special day, consider Adobe Reserva wines from Emiliana, the world’s largest organic winery in the most renowned wine-growing valleys of Chile. All Emiliana’s wines are grown in a way that promotes the flora and fauna bio-diversity, and preserves the natural balance of life. Each bottle comes gift-wrapped in the most elegant individual floral paper. The Sauvignon Blanc is a clean and translucent light yellow and pairs well with shellfish, ceviche, and sushi. The bright ruby-red Merlot comes from perfectly ripened Merlot grapes and combines red fruit aromas and black pepper notes. Open the Merlot to pair with chicken, turkey, walnuts and ripe cheese such as Camembert and Roquefort. My favorite is the Rose with its intense fruity aromas primarily of strawberries and black currants supported by a brilliant light pink colour. It pairs easily with sushi and creamy cheese, but I enjoy it on its own as an aperitif.
Redemption Straight Bourbon Whiskey
In the U.S., they spell whiskey with an “e.” In Canada we spell it “whisky.” No matter how you spell it, Redemption Whiskey, inspired by pre-Prohibition recipes, brings forth truly distinctive rye-forward notes. Since 1847 their focus has been on quality grains and superior water. The corn and rye grains create a smooth balanced and slightly spicy Straight Bourbon Whiskey reminiscent of a bygone era. They honour their namesake and redeem the reputation of Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Redemption says “bring whiskey back to its rightful place behind the bar.”
Bangarang Pink Lemonade Hard Seltzer
Is there anything more refreshing than an ice-filled glass of lemonade. Why yes, there is. Crack open a 5-litre keg of Bangarang Pink Lemonade Hard Seltzer. Or, if you like variety, a Retro Pack of twelve cans of Hard Seltzer in all our favorite flavours: Blue Raspberry, Cream Soda, Grape, and Orange. A refreshing blend of craft seltzer and all natural flavours (100 calories per sleek can) these beverages are a sure way to let you slide easily into summer.
Mott’s Clamato Reserve
Summer’s favorite pre-lunch cocktail is surely a Mott’s Caesar. And now, these clever people have elevated our Canadian staple with a new freshness. The new Mott’s Clamato Reserve includes the natural ingredients of Cucumber and Basil. It’s made with no artificial flavours or colours, and it comes in an unbreakable bottle that can be tossed into a picnic basket.
naturSource
I’m proud to serve these delicious crunchy naturSource snacks to my guests, and, they’re made by a family company right here in Canada. Smokey and savoury Tamari Almonds get their flavour from authentic Japanese sauce that gives these crunchy nuts a robust and full-bodied taste. Almonds drizzled with Olive Oil and sprinkled with sea salt are organic, GMO free, with no preservatives, artificial colors or flavors. Both are Keto Certified. Smart Life Salad Toppers, a melange of lightly seasoned seeds and raisins gives a head of lettuce a new lease on life. But I must confess, I’ve added a few handfuls to my Bran Muffin mix and taken them from boring to brilliant.
Sara Waxman, OOnt, is an award-winning restaurant critic, best-selling cookbook author, food and travel journalist and has eaten her way through much of the free world for four decades, while writing about it in books, newspapers and magazines. She is the Editor in Chief of DINE magazine.
Thank you. Very enjoyable articles.