By: Gemma Mastroianni
Summer is just about here and the good vibes are flowing. My food and drink palette always changes with the season, and it's already started shifting with this gorgeous weather upon us. Although I wish I was drinking a lot of the recommendations I'm sharing below with you before or at a summer concert, I'm looking forward to enjoying them in my backyard or the beach. Here are ten drinks you need in your fridge this summer:
Nude Vodka Soda
If you're a vodka soda fan, this is the bevy for you. The small start-up company based out of BC creates an unsweetened vodka soda in flavours Black Cherry (my fave), Lime, Peach, Grapefruit, Cucumber Mint, Raspberry Lemon, Mango, and Strawberry Kiwi. It's a healthier alternative to sugary drinks and I personally love how pure it tastes. It's like a straight vodka soda with fresh fruit squeezed in.
All of their products are made with a clean alcohol base with natural flavours, and only 100 calories and 0 carbs. Be sure to check out their other products as well!
Beach Bum by LOOP Mission
Sustainable juice on a hot summer day? Yes, please.
If you're in the city this summer during the lockdown, fear not- the beach is right in your backyard with Beach Bum. Blow up a mini pool, grab a LOOP, and you're there. Pineapple, yellow pepper, ginger, and turmeric create a refreshing taste perfect for summer! This is my all-time favourite flavour of LOOP.
And to top it all off, the company is an economy project that reduces food waste by repurposing fruits and veggies that are rejected for not having the prettiest shape, size, or shelf life to survive the distribution cycle. Everything gets turned into delicious and sustainable cold-pressed juices! They have also started making beers and gin.
Jelly King by Bellwoods Brewery
If you want to be the ultimate Torontonian (or be super cool and niche if you live outside of the city), you need Jelly King in your life. I've been a fan of this beer for over five years now and it's been so cool watching it become more well known and sold in liquor stores across Canada.
The beer is a mixture of sour and hoppy that showcases the aromatic benefits of a dry hop with Citra, Camarillo, and Cascade.
Be sure to keep an eye out for special and limited edition Jelly King's- they come out every so often!
Bud Light Strawberry Seltzer
We all know Budweiser, of course.
I have to say- I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It literally tastes like biting into a strawberry! It's refreshing, fresh, not too sweet, and only 80 calories with 1G of sugar.
Spearhead Brewery Akwa
Spearhead Brewing is a Kingston-based craft beer company that recently dropped Akwa, sparkling water! It's infused with Citra and Cascade hops. It's basically refreshing sparkling water with a citrus twist. It's the perfect non-alcoholic summer drink!
SWAY Vodka Soda
Do you like to 'keep it real'? SWAY Vodka Soda is definitely going to be your new drink of choice. This fun beverage is simple - vodka soda made with real fruit juice. The two flavours to choose from are the complimentary drink to sunny days, Raspberry Shimmy and Lemon Love. Lemon Love is not available in Ontario yet, but in the meantime, you should definitely get your hands on Raspberry Shimmy.
Goose Island IPA
Goose Island’s flagship IPA is a six-time medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival. It's comprised of a traditional English Style and created their very own fuller flavoured IPA with bright citrus aromas and a bold hop finish. With hoppy, bold, and smooth flavour, Goose IPA is the perfect beer for hopheads and discovery drinkers alike.
Hibiscus & Rose Hips RISE Kombucha
This kombucha is perfect for anyone who likes a bit of a tart flavour, and a hint of caffeine. The drink contains orange, wild berry, red apple, ginger, rose hips, strawberry, green tea, and more.
Thornbury Craft x The Tragically Hip Road Apples Cider
This is one of the most delicious ciders I've tried! I love a dry cider, and this really hit the nail on the head. In 1991, Canadian Rock icons The Tragically Hip released their second studio album: Road Apples. To commemorate the album’s 30th anniversary, band members collaborated with Thornbury Craft in creating a dry, Canadian cider. Made with 100% fresh-pressed, local apple juice, it has a clean, fresh apple flavour and aroma, light-body, with a smooth, lingering, crisp apple finish.
If you can get your hands on one - do it!
Good Fortune Citrus Orange Flower Sparkling Wine
If you like aesthetic cans and a quality floral taste, you've got to try this. Expect inviting aromas and flavours of lemon, and orange peel along with a touch of wildflower. A refreshingly clean palate paves the way to a crisp and nicely balanced finish.