A cold craft beverage, a wooden board piled with Ontario cheeses, meats and fresh vegetables, and a sunny spot on the patio, at the cottage or beside the trailer: summer entertaining doesn’t have to be complicated.
From craft beer and cider to grape and fruit wines, spirits, juices and creative non-alcoholic drinks, Ontario offers plenty of homegrown ways to fill your glass. Add local cheeses and cured meats, fresh seasonal produce, chutneys, spreads and dips, and you have the makings of an easy Ontario feast.
“Summer is made for relaxed meals and casual get-togethers, and Ontario farmers and food and beverage producers make it easy to put local flavours at the centre of them,” says Andrea McCoy-Naperstkow, farmer from Lanark County and director with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). “Whether you’re on the patio, at the cottage or trailer, or looking for something easy to serve after a day outdoors, there are so many Ontario products to discover and enjoy.”
Ontario’s craft beverage scene is as diverse as the province itself. Local grapes and other fruits are transformed into wines, ciders and spirits, while Ontario-grown grains, hops and other ingredients help give locally crafted beverages their distinctive flavours. Alcohol-free options abound too, from juices and sparkling drinks to craft sodas and other creative beverages.
A local charcuterie or grazing board is just as easy to build. Start with Ontario cheeses and meats, then pile on fresh seasonal vegetables, from greenhouse-grown cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers to field-grown favourites available throughout the summer. Finish with locally made chutneys, jams, pickles, spreads, dips, honey or maple syrup.
“Part of the fun of buying local is discovering just how much is produced right here in Ontario,” says McCoy-Naperstkow. “A simple summer gathering can become a showcase for local agriculture, with something grown, raised or made here in almost every glass, bowl and plate on the table.”
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