Loosen Up With Summer Libations in Lake County 2021
By: Jonathan Jones 07/02/2021
“In the summertime, when the weather is fine,” we loosen up with summer libations in Lake County.
While we do love enjoying all of the coasters, Ravinia Festival, community festivals, boating expeditions, shopping options and bodies of water during this time of year, we also like to kick back and relax with a cold one.
The Lake County Libation Trail options for our marquee season are sure to pique your interest. We make our own here in Lake County. So take your taste buds out for a treat as we recline, relax and loosen up with summer libations in Lake County.
When you’re active during the summertime, it’s the dream of many (including this author) to enjoy the fruits of vino in a can. This dream is a reality as Glunz Family Winery and Cellars have this berry concoction in an aluminum can format! Sangria, in an aluminum can, is a life-saver.
Riesling is one of the most sought-after grapes globally, originating in the Rhine region of Germany. Columbia Valley in Washington has perfected the growing of the grape to its climate. The summer libation shows a superb balance of ripeness and acidity. The palate contains pineapple, honey, pear and peach. The is of sweetness, with a crisp and refreshing finish. The Wheeling winery chilled beverage sits at 11.9% and pairs wonderfully with Asian food, ginger chicken, tuna sashimi, appetizers and potato chips.
This wine drinker’s Rosé is crisp and slightly fruity. Fuller in body than one would expect from such a bright-looking wine, the Lake County Libation Trail's newest vino partner has this drinkable is crushed, fermented and bottled right in the city of Highwood. This wine is made by lightly crushing (on the Friday Night of Pumpkinfest until 8 a.m. Saturday morning) whole berry Grenache grapes. This wine is outstanding when sipped cold. The seedlings used for this wine spend their childhood in Lodi, California, until they become adults and head to the southeast Lake County city.
Outlook: Their white vino has a beautiful deep golden color and has an aromatic bouquet. This sweet dessert wine is barrel-aged for four years. It pairs exceptionally with fruits, cheeses, chocolate-dipped strawberries, cheesecake or just a nice glass by itself. The port tastes great chilled or at room temperature.
A complex semi-dry rose’ style wine with a complex blend of Brianna, Somerset, and Frontenac wines. The unique composition of this wine presents aromas and flavors of pineapple, citrus, strawberry and red current and a hint of spice.
The chaser is not necessary like the royal madam did in Alice in Wonderland. The summer libation concoction is made with homemade vodka, blood orange and lime juice. The flavor will reign supreme this summer, like being dealt triple queens on the flop with a queen in hand.
Summer Libation: The World Traveler with North Shore Distillery Gin No. 11
With COVID-19 regulations loosened up, this is the perfect moniker for a drink post-pandemic as we plan to make our road trips this summer. This cocktail utilizes simple syrup made with an intriguing floral green tea, cornflower, marigold and rose petals. The floral and citrusy libation is splendidly paired with the abundant fresh juniper notes and fresh lime.
Mr. Fitz is an English teacher, a coffee shop owner and renowned author...in the world of the hit show "Pretty Little Liars." But, in the world of pretty little Waukegan, Oppidan Spirits has a Mr. Fitz of their own. This cocktail gem is made with two ounces of Oppidan Botanical Gin, three-fourths of an ounce of fresh-squeezed grapefruit, three-fourths of an ounce of St. Germaine liqueur and simple syrup.
"You know you're in Kentucky when you can visit Paris, London, Versailles and Florence all in one day." The Lake County Libation Trail's newest partner Black Lung has created a brew with flaked maize, black malts and ancient kveik yeast. This light-bodied brew contains a fragrant malty aroma and strong flavor that goes down dry. The 5% suds rates 19 on the IBU.
"And nothing to get hung about. Strawberry Lager forever." While strawberries are sort of in a shortage with the lack of rain in the spring, The Mundelein brewhouse announces the triumphant return of its berry lager. This refreshing, crisp, clean finish lagers sit at an Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of 5.2% and rates 18 on the International Bitters Unit scale (IBU).
Saisons originated in the Wallonia region of southern Belgium during the 19th century. Meaning ‘season’ in French, Saisons were typically brewed during winter months and stored until summer months when they were given to farmworkers as a form of hydration when water wasn’t suitable for drinking. Mike’s Saison is true to nature but brewed all year long.
Hard seltzers are the biggest libation trend in the last few summers. So the Lincolnshire brewhouse decided to take a crack at the current low-calorie adult beverage and knocked it out of the park. This seltzer is dry and crisp. The drink contains a thirst-quenching flood of black cherries makes this a pleasant addition to any day.
"Tell me more, tell me more, was it love at first sight?" The Winthrop Harbor biergarten along Lake Michigan...literally and figuratively with this brew. This New England India pale ale recently released at the harbor is loaded with Idaho 7 & Ekuanot Hops. The adult beverage citrus bomb registered at 7.3% ABV.
