Whether you’re the one grilling or just showing up with the drinks, BBQ season is officially on — and it’s calling for something delicious in your glass. With longer days, backyard hangs and Father’s Day BBQs just around the corner, now’s the time to stock up on crowd-pleasing summer drinks. From bold red wines for barbecued ribs to crisp bubbles perfect for patio lounging, I’ve rounded up nine LCBO summer picks that bring the chill to any grill-side moment. Wines, spirits and easy cocktails — all BBQ-approved drinks ready to be enjoyed all summer long.
Cocktails: Ready to pour or perfect to shake
Levenswater Spring 34 Gin
Levenswater Spring 34 Gin is one of those bottles that instantly turns heads before you even take a sip. Distilled in Ontario, it’s infused with 34 botanicals, including lavender, rosemary and rose, giving it a beautifully floral profile and a naturally vibrant pink hue. It’s a playful, elegant gin that really comes to life in a Citrus Gin Punch — a crowd-pleasing cocktail that’s as pretty as it is refreshing. This one’s got serious garden party energy.
Pair it with: grilled halloumi skewers or BBQ chicken with a citrus-herb glaze — anything with a touch of char to play off the gin’s floral brightness.
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Citrus gin punch
Svetlana Cherruty via iStock
Serves 12
Preparation time 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 mL) Levenswater Spring 34 Gin
- ¾ cup simple syrup
- 1¼ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1¼ cups freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 cups soda water
- 9 dashes Angostura bitters
- Edible flowers, for garnish
- Lemon & lime wheels, for garnish
Method
- Mix: In a large punch bowl or pitcher, stir together the gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, lime juice, soda water and bitters.
- Add ice: Fill with ice to chill.
- Garnish: Float edible flowers and citrus wheels for a vibrant finish.
- Serve: Ladle into glasses and enjoy.
Blank Slate Double Vodka Soda
Blank Slate Double Vodka Soda is exactly what it promises: clean, crisp and totally fuss-free. It’s made in Ontario, comes in at 8 per cent ABV, and skips all the extras — no sugar, no artificial stuff, just vodka and soda, straight up. And the best part? It’s a literal blank slate. Add a lemon or lime wheel for a classic twist, drop in a cucumber ribbon or a red pepper strip for something savoury, or go rogue with a strawberry or even an olive for a knock-off martini moment. You make the rules here.
Pair it with: a grilled sausage bar. Think: sausages hot off the grill, a table full of toppings, and everyone building their own perfect bite. Just like the drink, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of pairing — whether you’re piling on sauerkraut, mustard, onions or going wild with pickled jalapeños and kimchi.
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Grant's Triple Wood Blended Scotch Whisky
Grant’s Triple Wood Blended Scotch Whisky is one of those understated bottles that delivers way more than you expect. Aged in three different casks — virgin oak for spice, American oak for smooth vanilla and ex-bourbon barrels for a touch of sweetness — it’s soft, mellow and just a little bit smoky. There’s ripe pear, warm grain and a whisper of brown sugar on the palate, making it a beautifully versatile scotch for summer sipping. I love using it in a Whisky Smash — a bright, citrusy cocktail that plays up the whisky’s easygoing charm.
Pair it with: grilled corn on the cob. Charred, buttery and maybe dusted with a little chilli-lime seasoning — it’s the kind of simple, satisfying side that lets the whisky shine.
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Whisky smash
Makes 1
Preparation time 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 lemon wedges
- 2 oz Grant’s Triple Wood Blended Scotch Whisky
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 4 fresh mint leaves
- Mint sprig, for garnish
Method
- Muddle the lemon wedges in a shaker to release the juice and oils.
- Add Grant’s whisky, simple syrup, mint leaves and a handful of ice.
- Shake until well chilled and the shaker feels frosty.
- Double-strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and serve.
Bright bottles for sunny days
Vilarnau Barcelona Reserva Brut Organic Cava
Vilarnau Barcelona Reserva Brut Organic Cava is like sunshine in a bottle — crisp, citrusy and full of lively bubbles. Made just outside Barcelona with organically grown macabeo, parellada and xarel·lo grapes, this cava is aged for over 15 months, giving it a beautiful balance of orchard fruit, zippy acidity and a hint of toasty brioche. It’s bright, elegant and effortlessly fun — it’s your patio party’s plus one.
Pair it with: grilled shrimp skewers with a citrus-chilli glaze or a grilled calamari salad with fresh herbs and lemon. Both options let the cava’s sparkle shine while offering that perfect balance of smoky, citrusy and savoury. It’s breezy, fresh and full of Mediterranean vibes.
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Le Master de Donatien Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine 2020
Le Master de Donatien Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine 2020 is that zippy, ultra-refreshing white that just gets summer. From the Loire Valley’s Sèvre-et-Maine subregion, tucked near the Atlantic coast, this wine is made from melon de bourgogne, a grape that locals simply call muscadet. It’s aged sur lie, meaning it rests on its lees (spent yeast) for added texture and a little creamy roundness, but don’t be fooled — it’s still feather-light, salty, citrusy and oh-so crisp.
Pair it with: a grilled stone fruit and citrus salad. Picture charred peaches and orange segments tossed with fresh herbs, a splash of vinaigrette and crushed nuts on top for crunch. It’s a bright, juicy match for this coastal French white — both bring freshness, both bring flair, and together they’re pure sunshine on a plate.
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William Fevre Petit Chablis
William Fèvre Petit Chablis is the kind of white wine that makes you want to fire up the grill and pour a second glass. From the northern tip of Burgundy, chablis is technically all chardonnay — but forget the heavy oak and buttery vibes. Here, it's all about tension, minerality and that signature citrus zip, thanks to the region's cool climate and limestone-rich soils. Petit chablis, the more approachable cousin in the lineup, brings freshness and drinkability while still staying true to the region’s laser-focused style.
Pair it with: grilled artichokes with lemon aioli or herb-marinated chicken thighs. The wine’s bright acidity and flinty character cut through the richness of both dishes while highlighting the fresh herbs, char and creamy notes in all the right ways. It’s a pairing that feels casual, but absolutely sings.
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Reds & rosés that pull their weight at the grill
Born Rambla Rosé 2024
Born Rambla Rosé 2024 is bright, refreshing and totally unapologetic about being all rosé, all the time. Made by an all-women team based in Barcelona, this dry rosé is sourced from organically farmed vineyards in the Penedès region. At Born Rosé, they believe rosé isn’t just a wine — it’s a lifestyle. The team is all about low-intervention winemaking, sustainable farming and bottles that feel as good to drink as they look on the table. And this one definitely delivers. Expect crunchy red berry flavours and zippy acidity. It’s light, crisp and totally crushable, with just enough texture and flair to keep things interesting.
Pair it with: BBQ pulled pork sliders topped with tangy slaw — fun, messy and full of flavour. Or go veg with grilled tofu skewers marinated in citrus, garlic and smoked paprika. The wine’s juicy acidity balances the char, while that bergamot finish ties it all together beautifully.
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Olianas Cannonau 2021
Olianas Cannonau 2021 is pure Sardinian sunshine in a glass — warm, generous and built for BBQ season. Made from cannonau (what locals in Sardinia call grenache), this bottle is all about ripe red berries, soft spice and a smooth, earthy finish that makes it feel both rustic and refined. Grown in the rugged, sun-soaked hills of Sardinia, Olianas farms organically and with a strong focus on biodiversity, letting the land shape the character of each vintage. It’s a wine with heart, depth and just the right amount of grip — classic in the best way.
Pair it with: burgers, no matter your preference. Go classic with a juicy beef burger and aged cheddar or lean into grilled veggie patties loaded with roasted peppers and aioli. Either way, this is a wine that knows how to work the grill — easygoing but full of personality.
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Emiliana Coyam Organic Red Blend
Emiliana Coyam Organic Red Blend is bold, structured and just the right kind of wild. Since the late 90s, Emiliana has been all-in on biodynamics — working with nature, not against it — to let the land fully express itself through the wine. Every bottle reflects that grounded, conscious approach. Made in Chile’s Colchagua Valley, this certified organic and biodynamic blend brings together syrah, carmenère, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, mourvèdre and a few others — each grape playing its part to create a wine that’s rich, spicy and deeply satisfying. It’s layered with ripe red fruit, savoury herbs, a little smoky earth and a long, smooth finish that keeps you coming back for more.
Pair it with: BBQ pork ribs made with locally raised Ontario pork. The sweet, smoky glaze and fall-off-the-bone texture bring out all the juicy richness of the wine. It’s a backyard pairing that feels a little extra — big flavours, real heart and a whole lot of soul.
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