Summer’s coming and so is our thirst for lighter, less sophisticated, cocktails, beers, and wine. We can walk to Tosa bars, restaurants, parks, and house parties again. Life is good. The sun is shining. Party outside!

Billionaire’s Daughter Ritabillionare

This twist on the classic margarita uses only the best ingredients that The Don’s precious little girl can get her pretty, little, hands on. Actually, she’s not really making the drink herself, but delegating the ordering process which goes: two ounces of Patron Silver over the rocks with an oz. of Cointreau and a couple splashes of fresh squeezed lime juice in proper, lightly salt rimmed glassware.

silver-foxThe Silver Fox Gibson

This rendition of the Charlie Brown martini blends equal parts Rehorst Citrus Honey and Rehorst Gin with a short splash of dry vermouth. Shake or stir or do both and strain into a martini glass garnished with a cocktail onion. Pairs well with mild hummus on pita chips. Listens well with Glass Onion by The Beatles. Reads well with The Onion newspaper.

Francis Coppola Sofia Pinot Noir Rosesofia

This very unique darker pink Rose’ wine is 100% Pinot Noir. Bright and lively with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, and kiwi. Light, yet satisfying, and drinkable at any time of the day or night. Try it in the morning. Pairs well with fresh cheese (perhaps even in an omelette). Listens well with “I’m Waking Up To Us” by Belle & Sebastian. Reads well with “Joy Comes in the Morning” by Jonathan Rosen.

nelsoMount Nelson Sauvignon Blanc

Concentrated and intense, this wonderful New Zealand white shows gooseberry, passion fruit, and stone fruit flavors with a hint of lime for a long, lingering finish. Popular at Balistreri’s Bluemound Inn, this pairs well with shrimp, scallops, and white pasta plates. Listens well with “Sweetness Follows” by REM. Reads well with “Bethany: A Community in Transition” by Don Nelson.


Barbera D’Asti Michele D’Chiarlo “Le Orme”barbera

Ripe plum and strawberry fruit avors make this a nice, not complicated, but delicious red wine to drink. And it made Wine Spectator’s top 100 wines of 2012, so seriously sip some of this down when you get the chance. Pairs perfectly with pizza as well as other tomato sauce dishes. Listens well with Jimmy Fallon impersonating Jim Morrison singing the theme to “The Reading Rainbow,” which is easily found on YouTube. Reads well with “The Pizza War” by Erica Farber.

weekendWeekend at Louis

Milwaukee Brewing Company took their delicious flagship beer, Louie’s Demise and added Rishi’s Organic Blueberry Rooibos and Hibiscus Tea blends. Then after two weeks of cold infusion, they filtered out the tea and carbonated it. Tasty, but not overwhelming like some flavored brews can be. Pairs well with salads adding grilled chicken and/or “Buffalo Sings the Bleus” chicken wings from TomKen’s (to the south of Tosa in Westallica). Listens well with Blue by Fine Young Cannibals. Reads well with Something Blue by Emily Gifn (if you can dig on a story about betrayal, redemption, and forgiveness).