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Nothing screams summer quite like a refreshing drink in the sunshine. Whether it's a backyard barbecue with the whole gang, an al fresco dinner party celebrating a special occasion or a casual balcony chill to soak up the last of the day's rays, everything is better with delicious summer drinks being poured. From juicy white wine, crisp lagers and lip-smacking cocktails to effervescent non-alc options, there's a perfect summer drink for everyone at the table.
While we love heading out to all the new Toronto restaurant openings for summer and capitalizing on all the great Summerlicious Toronto deals, sometimes the crowds of confused tourists are too much. And the everlastingly long wait time to get onto one of Toronto's amazing patios makes us want to skip the whole thing and stay home with the delicious summer drinks in our fridge.
If you're looking to level up your at-home bartending and wine pairing game, and make the most of your own backyard, balcony or patio, these are the summer drinks to keep on hand. Easily crack one open to start a mini celebration any night of the week, or save them for an occasion when you have guests to impress. These summer drinks also make great gifts for those last-minute summer party invitations. Add them to your bar cart or fridge and be ready to cheers to summer whenever the mood strikes.
Summer drinks for easy sipping, anytime
1. Dillon's Cocktail Kits
When the mood strikes for a summer cocktail, there's nothing more annoying than having almost all of the ingredients. That's when we start getting creative with our substitutions and end up with an ungodly swampwater concoction. While the professionals at Toronto's best bars might be able to whip things up on a dime, we need a little more guidance, and that's where the curated cocktail kits from Dillon's come in.
Our favourite local, small-batch distiller combines all the ingredients needed for cocktail-making into one handy little kit. It simplifies serving guests, speeds up the process of getting a cocktail in hand after work, and makes for a great host gift.
This summer, the Dillon's cocktail kit lineup includes a refreshing Breakfast Martini, a sweet and sour Cherry Hibiscus Highball and the whisky-forward Rye(s) and Sunshine, along with a few other classics.
2. Laylow Pinot Grigio and Crisp Rosé
$12.95
It's hard to believe these Ontario wines from Peller come in at such a wallet-friendly price point. But then again, these bottles are meant to be a no-fuss option for those lowkey nights when you want a glass of something tasty with your takeout sushi or simple weeknight dinner.
Laylow Pinot Grigio's crisp and refreshing flavours of pear, white blossom and lingering peach on the finish pair well with frozen pizza, roast chicken straight from the grocery store or a whole plate of cheese, if you're just having girl dinner. Or dress it up with grilled seafood and oysters — no pressure. Meanwhile, the Crisp Rosé is the perfect match for casual savoury snacks, grilled vegetable and shrimp skewers or a Greek salad.
Made with less alcohol, sugar and calories, it's an easy sipper, no matter how you're feeling.
Summer drinks for special occasions, big and small
3. Éclat Bubbles by Château des Charmes
$18.95
Launched at the LCBO on July 4, this new face is sure to turn heads at any summer soirée. Made from 100 per cent Ontario grapes, this Niagara VQA-certified charmat-style sparkling is bursting with notes of green apple and lemon zest. Its crisp, refreshing finish is the kind your guests will want to savour all evening. This is an easy pick to have on hand for every summer celebration, whether you're hosting friends for a garden party or congratulating yourself on making it home without getting stuck in traffic.
4. Loveblock Wines
$24.95
Named for the labour of love that went into an untamed block of land with a gorgeous view overlooking Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, Loveblock nurtured its vineyard into production through organic and biodynamic farming practices. This crisp and vibrant sauvignon blanc carries a beautiful bouquet of bright peach, fresh fruit and straw, followed by a medium- to full-bodied structure full of ripe peach and papaya flavours with hints of basil. A slightly saline finish is reminiscent of ocean air.
Open this bottle at a dinner party to serve alongside fresh seafood or dishes that are loaded with summer herbs and citrus, like pesto pasta or lemon chicken. The fresh fruit flavours of this summery serve will also elevate salads or a tangy cheese board.
With the potential to age into the early 2030s, this generous white also makes for a great host gift to open now or save for later.
Summer drinks to serve at your backyard barbecue
5. Beau's Lite Lager
$2.95
Light, crisp and crushable, Beau's is everything we want in a summer beer. Brewed with four natural ingredients, it gets its malty, cereal character from wheat and barley, while fruity, floral aromas come from German Huell Melon hops. Then, it's cold-aged for four weeks, until it's the perfect balance of a smooth sip with a dry and refreshing finish.
The light body and medium effervescence are clean enough to cleanse the palate with smoky, barbecued foods like saucy pulled pork, juicy burgers or sausages. It also pairs well with spicy dishes like hot wings or tacos, and it's light enough for the more delicate flavours of fresh salads or fried fish. Beau's Lite Lager is a barbecue all-rounder — just stock the cooler, and enjoy your party.
6. Jackson-Triggs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc VQA
$15.95 $14.95 until July 19
Easy on the wallet, and even easier to drink, this Niagara VQA will have your dinner guests thinking you spent way more than you did. It punches well above its weight with juicy flavours of grapefruit, lime zest and a hint of ripe mango. Its crisp acidity and clean, refreshing finish will pair well with anything fresh off the grill, but it really shines alongside sizzling seafood, wood-fired pizza, fried chicken or a gorgeous cheeseboard.
While Jackson-Triggs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc VQA is easy to find at the LCBO, it's well worth it to make a weekend visit to the Niagara estate. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the winery's all-Canadian concert series in the open-air amphitheatre. Guests can sip their way through the exclusive, estate-only portfolio in the afternoon and then settle in for a concert under the stars in the evening.
Soft summer drinks to elevate any moment
7. Saicho Sparkling Tea
From $10
This is the perfect bottle to reach for when you want something celebratory without the alcohol. This lineup of sparkling teas are cold brewed and given a hint of sweetness from grape juice before being presented in a gorgeous bottle that makes for a great gift or a perfect addition to your summer spread. The herbal, spiced notes of the Saicho Sparkling Darjeeling Tea make it my favourite, but the floral jasmine, delicately fruity osmanthus and roasted hojicha each have their own charms.
8. Tonica Kombucha
From $4.49
The fizzy, fermented flavour of kombucha hits all the right notes of an alcoholic beverage, but with a digestive boost instead of an impending hangover. Tonica comes in a lineup of flavours that range in sweetness, from the fruity mango, blueberry and peach to the citrusy lemon and lime, and the more herbal ginger. I always keep my fridge stocked with Tonica Kombucha for those moments when I'm craving a little effervescence with a more interesting flavour than a sparkling water and less sugar than a soda. They're also great for zebra striping, because they help keep your body moving everything in the... erm... right direction.
