Three Bottles For The Summer
Three bottles, all favorites, will have a reserved place in my fridge this summer.
Need some ideas for summer refreshments? Patch has you covered.
Unfiltered Ginger Ale by Bruce Cost: I’m always on the hunt for good ginger sodas – especially during the hot summer months. I recently sampled an unfiltered ginger ale by Bruce Cost and have been a devotee ever since. Made with fresh ginger and pure cane sugar, this ginger ale is delicious and seriously refreshing. A bit spicy, it perfectly complements a wide variety of food pairings (try it alongside Vietnamese food!).
Tait Farm Fruit Shrubs: Given my interest in historical concoctions, I’ve been a bit obsessed with Tait Farm’s fruit shrub collection. Fruit shrub recipes can be found in 18th and 19th century cookbooks and are syrups made from fruit, vinegar and sugar. The syrups are sweet and tart, and for some, might be an acquired taste.
It took me a few rounds to really appreciate the unique flavor, but now I'm a believer. It’s quite refreshing when added to sparkling water or a glass of sparkling wine. I highly recommend the raspberry shrub. Check out the Tait Farm website to see their full collection – and for a variety of interesting recipes, including a few food items that incorporate the shrubs.
Langdon Wood Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup: In a recent post about my visit to Catoctin Creek Distillery, I mentioned buying a bottle of barrel-aged maple syrup. To most, maple syrup typically evokes images of the fall or wintertime, but drizzle a little (or a lot!) of the maple goodness over vanilla ice cream, and an amazing summertime dessert emerges – now a favorite in my home.
