I’ve never been much of a cocktail guy but I tried a couple that Mike Everson, Groovy Grapes Cocktail Chef and owner of Shakerz Hospitality put together for a client event we had last week and I may well be converted.  He designed a couple of drinks that really surprised me.  I’ve got this warped perception that a lot of mixed drinks are sweet and boozey.  Check out his recipes below these drinks were refreshing, dry(ish) and really unique.

Would you share what your favourite summer cocktails are by leaving a comment on this posting?  We’ll pick 2 lucky winners to receive a spot in our Classic Cocktails Workshop August 3rd at the urban element cooking studio.  

Here’s what Mike created for our event:

The Bitter End

Muddled Cuccumber

1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

1 oz Gin

1 1/2 Elderflower Water

1/2 oz pressed pear juice.

Shake and Strain over ice in a rocks glass.  Garnish with a cucumber slice

Bisson Grass lemon LongIsland

Fresh lemon Juice

1 oz Bisson Vodka

1/2 Rum

1/2 Gin

Chilled Tea

Shake and strain over ice in a Highball.  Garnish with lemon Zest

Leave a comment below for a chance to win a spot in the workshop!

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If you are serious about your cocktails or want to be why not register for the Aug 3 workshop bookings@theurbanelement.ca ($75 + tax) or have us put on a private cocktail workshop for some friends or your team?  sean at groovygrapes.com 613-691-0668 x 101. 

We had a great tasting last weekend featuring some wines from New Zealand as well as some cheeses from Quebec.  It was so much fun we thought we should share what we tried in the form of a Groovy Grapes Guide (pdf).  Have a look at the wine and cheese notes (cheese notes are on page 2):

Have a look at the groovy grapes guide you can download or share with friends.  If you are looking for a chance to try up to 200 different wines from New Zealand you won’t want to miss the New Zealand Winegrowers fair Apr 27 at Westin Hotel.

Just had a really good question come in about what’s your favourite value wine pick. 

Of course value is a matter of opinion but for the purpose of this post I’m going to look at something we’ve tried recently that is the under $10 price range. 

I stopped by the Wines of Spain booth during the Ottawa Wine and Food Show and sampled a number of really interesting wines.  I was pleasantly surprised by a red wine from the region of Yecla in Spain.  The fact that it’s whopping $8.90 is quite amazing.  I think it delivers twice the value.  The grape is monastrell (or mourvèdre) and it’s typically a blending grape so I haven’t seen many single varietal versions.  We picked up a few bottles to have around and it’s a guilt-free go to red for everything from burgers and pizza to braised and bbq meat.  Leave us a comment if you pick it up to let us know what you think. BODEGAS CASTANO LA CASONA MONASTRELL LCBO 143743 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 8.90

Check out Geoffrey’s segment on Summer wine and beer selections with A TV Ottawa.

La Vendemmia is Ottawa’s annual celebration of Italian wine and food.  We’re thrilled to be working on this series of events once again this year and we’ve just released the 2009 calendar which you can view online here.  Here are some of this year’s highlights:

Guest Chef Mario Pingue joins us for our headlining event, a cooking demonstration and dinner. Known best for his artisan charcuterie products, including melt-in-your-mouth prosciutto produced right here in Ontario, we think it rivals some of the best we’ve tasted from Italy and we invite you to taste for yourself.  Mario is also a talented chef, who will be preparing a delectable menu using some of his Niagara Specialties products on Thursday September 17th at Divino Wine Studio.

Atelier Restaurant, one of Ottawa’s most talked-about and our only “tasting menu only” restaurants, is hosting a special tasting menu inspired by classic Italian Flavours.  To make things even more interesting, each of the 12 courses will be paired with a variety of Italian sparkling wines.  Join us for this tasty Vendemmia kick-off on Monday September 14th.

The Signature Grape Stomp relay is your chance to stomp grapes and raise money for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation 11am-2pm Sunday September 20th.  Round up a team of 4 people and enter online.

Taste Little Italy is our signature closing event and offers your best opportunity to taste the wide range of delicious treats available on Preston Street.  Set up wine and food show style, we can’t imagine a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Taste Little Italy takes place on Sunday September 20th at Sala San Marco and features restaurants from Preston Street, Italian wine samples, and your ticket also includes admission to the Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Showcase that takes place simultaneously next door at Divino Wine Studio.

For more information visit www.prestonstreet.com/lavendemmia/,  email lavendemmia at prestonstreet.com or call 613-715-9399 x 101.

Here’s the radio interview Stacey had with CBC radio.  It’s a great overview of what the Walkabout Feast concept is all about.

We documented the 5 restaurant dining tour last night.  Stay tuned for updates.

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We just saw this article by Jennifer Campbell of the Ottawa Citizen regarding Savour the Tulips this Saturday.  There’s a great recipe attached.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario (April 17, 2009) - Southbrook Vineyards toasts Earth Day® with the release of its 2008 Cabernet Rosé, the first biodynamic wine produced in Canada. Twenty-five restaurants across Ontario, from Ottawa, Toronto, Prince Edward County, Muskoka, western Ontario and Niagara, will celebrate with a simultaneous launch of the wine on April 22nd – Earth Day®. Chefs and sommeliers in these restaurants are featuring the Cabernet Rosé on their wine-by-the-glass list or with a specially created dish or food match. Read the rest of the news release (PDF). 

Wine lovers are invited to drop by Play food & wine, 1 York Street in Ottawa on Earth Day® from 6 pm to 8 pm when Southbrook Vineyards representative Aaron Shaw will be on hand to pour samples of the Cabernet Rosé. The dish at Play that Michael Moffat put together to pair with the rose is Hand-rolled Gnocchi with White Asparagus, Oyster Mushrooms and Sorrel Vinaigrette (I’ll take two of those!).

A friend just sent me a link to an interesting article about wine and music.  Have a read, there are some great suggestions for music that will enhance a wine when paired.   Thanks for the link Tony!