A Good Glass of Wine August 2007

When summer temperatures climb, I like to put a little something extra in my wine—including ice. These cool wine concoctions give the term “wine cooler” back its good name. Each takes advantage of a new (or newly available) spirit or liqueur to bring the essence of peaches, pears or dark berries to the glass.

The Ever-Refreshing Kir
France’s most famous apéritif—Kir (rhymes with “beer”)—makes a refreshing, sophisticated sip to kick off a summer patio party. Plus, it’s so easy it needs no recipe. Simply pour about a teaspoon of crème de cassis (a black currant liqueur) into a glass; fill the glass with chilled dry white wine and serve. Try Gabriel Boudier Crème de Cassis ($19.99). Produced since 1874 in Dijon, France (where Kir first originated), the highly acclaimed liqueur has recently become more widely available in the United States. Thank you, France!

Summer Peach Sangria
Bacardi recently unveiled a flavored rum, Peach Red (750ml/$14). Intrigued, I turned to mixologist extraordinaire Mittie Hellmich, author of The Ultimate Bar Book: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Cocktails (Chronicle Books) for ideas on how to use this alluring new flavor. Her sangria may be the most dashing way ever to savor summer’s most sensuous fruit.

1 ounce Bacardi Peach Red Rum
½ ounce Grand Marnier or Cointreau
3 ounces dry, crisp rosé
(such as one from France or Spain)
2 ounces lemonade

Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled large wine goblet or tall glass and gently stir. Garnish with a peach slice and a lemon slice.

Lemony Pear Spritzer
Another fruity sipper from Mittie Hellmich, this one calls on Grey Goose La Poire—a new pear-flavored vodka (750ml/$30). With lemon juice and sparkling wine in the mix, this is the choice for the sultriest of summer nights.

1½ ounces Grey Goose
La Poire (pear-flavored
vodka)
½ ounce lemon juice
1 ounce pear nectar
1 teaspoon sugar
2 to 3 ounces fruity
sparkling wine (such as Asti), chilled
Fresh raspberries

In a cocktail shaker with ice, vigorously shake vodka, lemon juice, nectar and sugar. Pour into a large ice-filled wine goblet. Slowly top with the sparkling wine, and gently stir to combine. Garnish with a cocktail pick skewered with raspberries.

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