As soon as summer arrives in Toronto, we can start to feel it slip through our fingers like a fistful of sand. We've been waiting for these months all year, and once they're here, they're never long enough. Pumpkins, chilly fall weather and crowded Spirit Halloween stores leer at us from behind Labour Day; we're soaking up as much of the sun as we can on the best patios in Toronto before it's too late. At this point, we'll take any excuse to get outside — we might even skip the TTC and walk to our reservation at one of the best new restaurants in Toronto, to absorb just a few more rays.
To make the most out of summer's dwindling days, there are a few products and tasty drinks we're staying stocked up on. Our bar carts are looking light, with a few tumbleweeds drifting between half-finished bottles of wine and near-empty spirits, which means it's time to replenish our supplies with great drinks from Toronto's bottle shops and breweries, and the LCBO — and we've rounded up a few essentials to keep you refreshed well into the fall. Pair them with your freshest summer meals.
To squeeze every last drop out of summer, we'll be leaning on a few key products and appliances that will make hosting a breeze, or get you ready for anything a long weekend can throw at you. There's no time to waste — after all, the season will be over before you know it.
Essential products for summer
We've raved about Kilne's The Everything Pan before, and weren't surprised The Everything Pot lives up to expectations. Made in Italy, the patented non-stick ceramic coating is non-toxic. Bathed in gorgeous matte colours, it's equipped with a self-basting lid that's unmatched for stews, braising, roasting, steaming and more. It can replace up to 10 pieces of cookware.
We're not ashamed to admit wine and soda can pair like PB&J. In a stroke of genius, Pommies' wine and soda blends VQA vino with carbonated water and raspberry juice to make the perfect summer sipper. It's not too sweet, very refreshing and best served chilled. Enjoy it at a pool party, on a late-season cottage getaway or with dinner on your balcony — Pommies fits any occasion.
France's stunning Loire Valley produces the exceptional cabernet franc grapes in this wine. Gentle fruitiness dances with a pleasantly acidic finish — this is a bottle you'll want to share. This semi-dry rosé pairs beautifully with spicy food, sunshine and good company.
Your new best friend in the kitchen (and prized possession), Le Creuset's enamelled cast iron Dutch oven can last for life if properly cared for. The cooking surface conducts heat evenly, for picture-perfect sears and browning your favourite proteins. We love the elegant pêche colourway, but it comes in 10 other versions, too.
This agreeable California pinot noir vintage is well-worth the price tag. Serve it with your favourite vegetable-forward summer main and savour the notes of red berries and citrus as they sing to a savoury finish.
Crush ice, fast, and refresh your guests' margaritas with SMEG's 50's-style blender. Dressed in gorgeous colours, it will look great on your kitchen countertop or poolside bar. Plus, with four blend speeds to choose from, it's not just a pretty picture.
Better-tasting water, with electrolytes? We're in. Essentia's one-litre bottles will keep you hydrated on sweaty summer hikes, at steamy pool parties or during warm-weather backyard shenanigans.
Your favourite summer drink now comes in a convenient can. Bring it to the picnic or cottage weekend and savour the bright flavours of strawberry and fresh melon with a hint of rose petal.
The ultimate grillmaster needs the right tools to prepare perfect BBQ. Epicurean's BBQ Boards are spacious for optimal meat slicing, and outfitted with a deep groove to catch all of those delectable juices when you're slicing the roast.
Savouring Canada's favourite cocktail in the summer weather has never been easier. All you have to do is crack one of Matt & Steve's Caesar sippers, pour over ice in a rimmed glass and garnish with a pickled bean.
Shake up stellar sippers every time with Dillon's cocktail kits. They come stocked with everything you need to create crowd-pleasing cocktails, including full-size bottles of Dillon's spirits and a handy recipe card. Drinks range from a Matcha Highball to the Ultimate Canadian Caesar.
If you're going to pour muscadet at your next summer soirée, this lean, green, extra-dry machine is a safe bet to pique your guests' appetites. Light-bodied and packing ample acidity, it's yet another lip-smacking option from France's lauded Loire Valley.
Hosting the summer soirée or backyard barbecue of your dreams? This smoky sauce is perfect for dressing tacos, burgers, mixing into salad dressings and even marinating meat. There are several other flavours to choose from, too.
Peaches are a top contender for the title of best summer fruit, and there's plenty of the fuzzy little spheres in Simply Spiked's new line of flavoured lemonades. Available in Signature, Kiwi and Strawberry flavours.
Begone, scaries — Sundays are fun days now with Sunday Funday, a premium canned mimosa made with real orange juice. Pour it in a flute for brunch, or sip straight from the can — it's summer, and you can choose your own adventure.
Make your own pies like a pro with this splurge-worthy Ooni pizza oven. Gas or propane-powered, it's portable and heats up to 500 C, which means you'll no longer be stuck with only soggy turkey sandwiches on your next camping trip.
Your grilling experience will never be the same with Victorinox's curated selection of wood-handle knives and BBQ tools. The seven pieces can be easily stored in the black poly bag for transportation to the cottage.
We love the Breville Paradice 9's convenient storage caddy. No more loose blades and other attachments taking up space in our already-crammed kitchen — the lightweight container fits everything like a glove. This high-performance food processor is equal parts powerful and quiet.
Reunion's signature light-roast espresso is bursting with notes of blackcurrant, creamy milk chocolate and brown sugar. Serve it over ice to cool yourself down on a sweltering day.
Spacious enough to hold bottles, cans and picnic snacks, this versatile cooler bag will be attached to your hip for any warm-weather adventures. Easy to clean and lightweight, it's perfect for the beach, campsite or wherever else summer takes you.
Named Sun, Sand and Surf, these three candles will instantly transport you to the tropics — even if you're sealed indoors with the AC cranked up. Each one is layered with different scents, plus they look cute and make great gifts. Savour summer by burning them into the fall.
