Cucumber Kiwi Gimlet

The last sip of summer!

This delicious summer cocktail will make you think summer never has to end.   Tip off the last long weekend of summer by treating yourself to a refreshing take on a classic cocktail.  The design accents that were paired with this drink were actually used in a recent ensuite bathroom design we did and the natural elements work so well to create a fresh design and companion to this cocktail.  

Design Accents Used:

• Countertop – Cambria, Hermitage
• Paint – Benjamin Moore, High Park CC-620, Intense White OC-51 and Black Beauty 2128-10.
• Fabric – Maxwell, Camellia #510Tea
• Glassware – Homesense
• Botanical – found

Recipe Ingredients:

-1 cup of sugar
-1 cup of water
-2-3 kiwis
-1/2 cucumber
-1 tbsp lime juice
-2 ounces of gin
-ice
-optional sparking lime juice

How to Make:

1. Combine the water and sugar  in a pot and bring to a boil, stirring frequently to create a syrup.  Remove from heat and add in 1 peeled sliced kiwi to allow the flavours to infuse and wait 30 minutes. 
2. Strain through a sieve to remove any kiwi pieces and put in the fridge to cool.
3. Meanwhile, slice the remaining kiwi and using a vegetable peeler, cut 4 long strips of the cucumber and set aside. 
4. Muddle a 1″ piece of remaining cucumber and pour in a cocktail shaker.
5. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice and add the lime juice, 2 ounces of kiwi syrup and gin.
6. Strain into a glass with ice and add kiwi slices, rolled cucumber slices and mint to garnish.
7. Add a splash of sparking lime juice if you like the bubbles and enjoy!

Blackberry Lemonade

Simple and refreshing!

This simple blackberry lemonade recipe is easy to make ahead and is sure to brighten even the cloudiest of days.  The moody design accents we combined with this drink are brightened by fresh accents for the perfect modern kitchen! 

Design Accents Used:

• Countertop – Cambria, Mayfair
• Paint – Benjamine Moore, Flint AF-560 and Solitude AF-545
• Linen – Accents for Living
• Glassware – The Art of Home
• Flowers – Riverside Flowers, thistles
• Tray – vintage

Recipe Ingredients:

-1 cup of sugar
-1 cup of water
-1 pint of blackberries (plus more to garnish)
-9 fresh lemons
-Ice
-6 cups of water

How to Make:

1. Combine the water, sugar and blackberries in a pot and bring to a boil, stirring frequently to create a syrup.
2. When the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat to cool.
3. Meanwhile juice 8 of the lemons into a jar.
4. Strain the blackberry syrup to remove seeds and cores, pushing as much of the juice through as possible.
5. Add the lemon juice, blackberry syrup the 6 cups of water into a pitcher and place in fridge to cool.
6. When ready to enjoy, add plenty of ice, sliced lemon wedges and fresh blackberries to the pitcher to serve.
7. For an adult friendly version, add 3/4 cup of vodka.

Nothing says summer like sunny long weekends and fresh in-season produce!  Our sweet peach bourbon smash is the perfect cocktail to enjoy while hanging with friends for a backyard bbq or dockside this weekend with family.   Be sure to shop for in-season Niagara Peaches for the sweetest, juiciest addition!

Design Accents Used:

• Countertop – Cambria, Snowdon White
• Paint – Benjamin Moore, Deer Granite (CC-452) and Saint Martin Sand (2164-50)
• Linen – Rug and Weave
• Glassware – The Art of Home
• Flowers – Riverside Flowers, tulips

Recipe Ingredients (per drink):

-1 Large yellow Niagara Peach

-2 ounces bourbon

-1 ounce grenadine

-1/2 ounce lemon juice

-1/2 cup ginger beer

-ice

How to Make:

1. Muddle the peach in a cocktail shaker to release the juices.  
2. Add in bourbon, grenadine, lemon juice and ice.  Add lid and shake until well combined.
3. Strain mixture over ice into drinking glass.
4. Top off with ginger beer and peach slice to garnish.
5. ENJOY!

We’re kicking summer off with a new series of summer fresh drink recipes and co-ordinating design finishes. Starting out with in-season fruit, our strawberry rhubarb sangria is sure to be a smash on these upcoming hot summer days.

Design Accents Used:

• Countertop – Cambria, Big Sur Mist
• Paint – Benjamin Moore, Natural Cream (OC-14) and Soft Cranberry (2094-40)
• Wallpaper – Station D, Mural Fleurs Des Champs
• Napkin – Linen and Lore Home
• Berry Bowl – Candela Interiors
• Stemware – The Art of Home
• Flowers – Riverside Flowers, wax flowers

Recipe Ingredients:

-1/4 cup simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar dissolved)

-1 cup fresh strawberries

-1 cup fresh rhubarb

-Bottle of your favourite Rose

-1 tbsp lemon juice

-1/4 cup Triple Sec or other orange liquor

-Ice

-1/2 cup club soda or your favouite carbonated beverage

-Mint to garnish

How to Make:

1. Put half of the strawberries and rhubarb in a pitcher along with the simple syrup. Gentle muddle together and let sit for 30 minutes to let juices mix.
2. Pour in the lemon juice, triple sec and rose and let sit for at least 1 hour, refrigerated.
3. Add ice, club soda and remaining fresh fruit to the pitcher.
4. Pour in individual glasses and garnish with mint
5. ENJOY!