The unofficial kick-off to dock season is almost here! Thank you for being born, Queen Victoria!

~ maryfgraham1

We Canadians are a hardy lot, but even the most indefatigable winter enthusiast among us is ready to firmly shut the door on both winter and spring, and move on to our earned reward of summer.  Which is why, when the somewhat sporadic warm days of May arrive, we sun-starved Canadians happily doff parkas for tshirts, swap the boots directly for flip-flops, and move from snow-tired SUVs to opened sunrooves and convertibles.

This proud display of optimism (the glass half-full version of oblivion?), is none more evident than on the May long weekend.  Frigid lake waters be damned!  The May “two-four” plunge is a cottage tradition!   Black flies and mosquitos be damned!  Lather on some Deep Woods Off, and stand beside someone with Type O blood (true fact!).  We are ready summer!  You are getting a big fat smooch from us, even if you are still acting bashful and coy!

With that attitude of optimism and unabashed positivism for summer days ahead, we offer you a cocktail salutation to all that is the May long weekend…we give you …

A Full Mosquito

  • 1-1/2 oz raspberry vodka
  • 5-10 fresh raspberries
  • 10-20 pomegranate seeds
  • ¼ oz maple syrup
  • 3 oz soda water
  • 1 lime wedge
  • 1 sprig of mint
  • muddle raspberries and pomegranate seeds, straining juice into glass
  • add vodka and maple syrup; stir to dissolve
  • fill glass with ice and soda water
  • garnish with raspberries, blackberry, lemon wedge

 

Pairs well with:  Cranberry Vanilla Scones

Huh??  Scones on the dock?  Well, we couldn’t very well ignore that other noteworthy event this weekend.  Alas, with a TV-free, WIFI-free cottage,  Harry & Meghan’s nuptials will have go unwatched by our cottage guests this weekend.  As a close proxy, we suggest a lovely scone pairing — bakery-purchased, or try this awesome recipe (by the best scone baker I know…thanks Barb G! 🙂

Cranberry Vanilla Scones
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup Dannon Vanilla yogurt
  • 3/4 cup dry cranberries
  • combine first 5 ingredients, using pastry blender to make a course mixture
  • add yogurt and mix
  • mix in cranberries
  • turn out onto lightly floured board and knead til well blended
  • either make 2 discs and cut into 8 triangles, or make loose mounds of dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 14-16 minutes or till lightly browned

 

Song Pairing:  Say Hey (I Love You), Michael Franti & Spearhead

This is the ultimate good cheer, light-hearted, hopeful, buoyant song.  And it’s a love song!  So it works equally raising a glass with friends on the dock, or around the telly celebrating a royal wedding!  Cheers!