Quaintrelle Weekender
I can't wait any longer, I've got to spill the beans!
Welcome to Quaintrelle, a twice-weekly newsletter written by me, Erin Henderson, a journalist-turned-sommelier-turned-entrepreneur in the wine and events industry.
Each Saturday I post a short, free read about things that have caught my interest to make hosting, eating, and drinking, stylish, delicious, and way easier.
Won’t you join us?
Church, Meet State
Friends, this weekend’s Quaintrelle offers FOUR delicious cocktail recipes for summer drinking. These are listed at the bottom, and if you’re a “just the facts m’am” kind of reader, scroll down.
But before we get into it, I want to talk about something personal. Or professional. Well, maybe both.
I constantly balance, precariously and generally unsuccessfully, between who I am as a person, and who I am as a business owner.
A never-ending existential crises of sorts. Who am I? (Although lately the more pressing questions are, why did I come into this room?)
Somewhere around 13 years ago, I left working for other people and opened The Wine Sisters, a wine events and sommelier services company in Toronto (and all over the place, really.)
Somewhere around seven years ago, I added creating my own events and parties to the roster of my company’s services: Wine School, a weekly tasting and wine lesson was first, followed by a monthly, summer Patio Party series of events, and last spring, I started Wine, Women & Wealth an inclusive, inspiring evening symposium where some of Toronto’s leading financial lights share their best tips for creating a future without worry.
This is a quick video from that event.
I’m so wildly – deliriously – proud of this event! It was inspired by my personal life, as Erin, talking to friends over a drink. Over, and over again, despite the differences in where they’ve been and where they want to go, they all shared the same thoughts about money. Do I have enough? For retirement, to buy a first home, to get divorced, to put the kids through school, to get the parents into quality care facilities, to (re)marry, to pay off debt, to travel, to buy the dream cottage…? The list goes on and on.
And, men and women alike (though mostly women because it seems we’re ok getting a bit vulnerable, and vulnerability truly freaks men out – especially when it comes to topics they “should have” nailed by now) everyone used the same words: confusion, fear, shame, worry, concern, helplessness, even hopelessness.
And I didn’t think that was ok.
So while I am a drinker, not a banker, and you definitely don’t want to come to me for advice on how to save your money – you come to me for advice on how to lose your money, hopefully spectacularly whilst gambling your life savings with tuxedo-clad, muscular gentlemen in a luxe opium den in Morocco that is only accessible by speed boat under the cloak of darkness.
I digress. Where was I?
Oh, yes. Wine, Women & Wealth.
I created this event for everyone who wants clarity and confidence in managing their money. Lock down what’s working, fix what’s not, and prepare for the future – no matter what surprises are thrown, because surprises will always be thrown.
So why am I telling Quaintrellians about my professional side?
Because I’m more than one thing. Erin, the irreverent writer of Quaintrelle, and Erin, the firm-fisted, titan of industry the owner of a small business that likes to teach people how to drink and have a good time. And now, feel better about their money.
So I’d like to offer you, my fellow Quaintrellians, a little discount off tickets to join us for this spectacular evening on September 10 downtown Toronto at Vantage Venues.
It’s a little early in the game, and we’re still lining up speakers, but we have just brought on Rob Carrick, the nearly 30-year financial columnist for the “Globe & Mail” and author of several money books including, “How Not to Move Back in With Your Parents” and, “How to Pay Less and Save More For Yourself” as our opening keynote speaker!
Early bird tickets are selling now, and I’d like to extend a 15% discount on top of the Early Bird pricing.
As I mentioned, we’re still booking two more fantastic speakers to encourage, inspire, and enlighten you to get clear and confident with your money on your terms, but I’m so, so, so excited to have Rob join us I was bursting at the seems to tell you.
The evening includes wine (that’s my part), excellent food (courtesy of Vantage Venues’ award-winning chef team), and the talks, including Q+A, from smart financial experts who’ve been there, done that, and shown people how to make the most of what they’ve got.
I hope I will see you there.
My next question, before getting into the real meat (well, drink) of today’s newsletter.
I know some of you read from further away. Would you be interested in joining us online? The speakers begin at 5:45 Eastern Standard Time.
I’m hesitant about this because I think there’s a fatigue around spending off hours online, but if there’s a real demand, we would broadcast this over a private Zoom channel.
The Four Drinks I Drink The Most in Summer
Alright, enough business. Time for Personal Erin to come back into the room.
Corporate Erin is such a buzz kill. Well, not really, Corporate Erin literally sells a buzz. You can see how this can get confusing.
We just came off a wild heat wave here in The Big Smoke, it was honestly insufferable. Just cruel. But then Thursday hit and I was wearing a turtle neck. A light turtle neck, but a turtleneck nonetheless.
But now, I dare say we’re back on track, a civilized high-20’s/low 30’s situation for the weekend.
And all of this is to say: it’s drinks by the pool.
(And of you’re wondering if this is what I do all summer, the answer is yes, yes, 1,000 times yes!)
Ok, if you saw last Wednesday’s love note, you know I’m on a bit of a daiquiri kick as of late. But, I’m no one trick pony when it comes to my cocktails. No, I bring the whole zoo.
Gordon’s Cup
This is my new fave.
It’s a modern cocktail that was developed in the earlier part of this century by Sasha Petraske who started the famed Milk & Honey cocktail bar in New York. However, it just came on my radar recently after the Robb Report ran an article on it. While the drink is classically served with the bits of cucumber and lime in the glass itself, similar to a mojito, I like the RR’s take on it, straining it out for a texturally cleaner drink.
Savoury, citrusy and a teensy bit vegetal, this is totally my jam.
Makes: 1 drink
Bartender level: moderate
Equipment: muddler (or the handle of a wooden spoon, cocktail shaker
Ingredients:
3 cucumber slices
1 inch slice lime peel
2 oz gin (I like Empress Lemon & Cucumber for this)
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz simple syrup
Salt and pepper (seriously)
How to Make It:
In an empty shaker, combine the cucumber and lime peel with the gin, and muddle for about 30 seconds until you start to smell some lime and the cucumber is broken down.
Add the lime juice and simple syrup and fill the shaker with ice.
Shake with determination for until well chilled, a count of about 30.
Double strain (so pour through the strainer, and through a cocktail sieve) into an ice-filled rocks glass.
Sprinkle a dash of S+P over the top, stir, and garnish with a ribbon of cucumber.
Gin Hibiscus Collins
This will blow your mind.
Making the hibiscus syrup is a minor step, but not at all arduous so don’t let it derail making this fruity-tart drink.
And yes, if you’re not a gin fan you should get over it you can use vodka.
Cherry Whisky Sour
One of my favourite parts to summer is when the night sets in, and with it a satisfyingly cool(ish) breeze.
This is when drinks of a heartier nature are brought out, like this Cherry Whisky Sour that combines summer sour cherries with spicy whisky.
White Wine Cocktail
Remember when I mentioned I wrote a piece for a magazine here in Toronto that I handed in one day early and 50 words under?
It was, in part, about a white wine cocktail that was stupendously good.
I was planning on sharing it with you as part of this cocktail round up, but it turns out the piece won’t be published until early July, so I have to wait until then. Nuts.
For now try this combo on for size, courtesy of cocktail bar Death&Co, via liquor.com
Makes: 1 cocktail
Bartender level: easy
Ingredients:
3 ounces Albariño or Sauvignon Blanc
1 teaspoon peach liqueur
Garnish: mint sprigs
How to Make It:
Add the wine and peach liqueur to a Julep or double old fashioned glass.
Fill the glass with crushed ice, preferably, and regular ice if crushed isn’t available. Garnish with lots of fragrant fresh mint.
And That’s All for This Week…
It’s a weird long weekend. Canada Day is Tuesday, which means some people are extending their weekends from Friday onwards.
I’ll return Wednesday, likely with a full menu from my weekend adventures, which includes birthday celebrations for my sister.
See you then.
xo – Erin
You had me at Albariño! Definitely making this one! They all sound great. Congratulations on your new venture!
Brava, Erin!