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Enjoy Victoria Day Weekend with this Tea Cocktail!

In honour of the person in whose honour we enjoy our first long weekend of the summer, enjoy these homages to Queen Victoria:

a.) Young Queen Victoria limited edition teapot (read more here)

 

 

 

b.) another teapot - this one, comemorating her diamond jubilee (possibly for sale here - but I'll say buyer beware)

 

 

 

 

c.) classic 60's tune by Brit band, The Kinks:

 The words, written by Ray Davies can be found here:

The Kinks - Victoria Lyrics @ LyricsTime.com

Finally, why not toast Victoria Day with your own version of this tas-tea sounding beverage? The recipe originates from the Radio Royal York website and was posted last year, when the Royal York offered this cocktail for $14 a pop. You could almost buy the gin for that at the LCBO.

The Imperial Splendour

1 1/2 oz. Victoria Gin
3 1/2 oz. strongly brewed Earl Grey tea, chilled (we suggest Steeped Tea loose leaf Earl Grey black, either traditional, or creme)
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. Cointreau
2 dashes “Twisted & Bitter” orange cocktail bitters

Combine ingredients and shake on ice. Strain into your finest china.

Garnish with an orange slice and a small cube of frozen marmalade.

Note - Victoria Gin is hand made in small batches from a wood-fired still on Vancouver Island. If you can't find it, use what you do find and enjoy the weekend! 

Summer Must be Here!

It's the long weekend here in Canada, for Victoria Day, the unofficial beginning of the summer.

Time to get the iced tea going!

 Berry Lemonade Iced Tea Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (12 oz) frozen lemonade concentrate
• 4 tsp berry tea (we suggest Berry Mania, but you can try other teas, too!)

PREPARATION

1. Reconstitute lemonade with water in a large pitcher as can directs. Add tea; refrigerate overnight.

 

2. Strain the tea. Refrigerate until serving.

 

3. To serve: Pour tea over ice in tall glasses; garnish with lemon.

 

Planning Tip: Can be made through Step 4 up to 1 day ahead.

 

  Enjoy the long weekend and toast Queen Victoria with a tall cool glass of iced tea.

Enjoy Victoria Day!

It's the long weekend here in Canada, as we celebrate Victoria Day!

Victoria Day (in French: Fête de la Reine) is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the last Monday before or on 24 May, in honour of both Queen Victoria's birthday and the current reigning Canadian sovereign's official birthday (that would be Queen Elizabeth II). It has been marked since before Canada was formed, originally falling on the sovereign's actual birthday, and continues to be celebrated across the country on a fixed date and in various fashions, also being informally considered to mark the beginning of the summer season. (from Wikipedia)

  

How are you celebrating the long weekend?

Gardening?

Opening the cottage?

Are you finishing the weekend off at a fireworks display?

If you're sipping tea over the weekend, why not try one with British connections, such as Steeped Tea's Buckingham Garden Party, a blend of Earl Grey and Jasmine, or Queen Elizabeth, a blend of black teas from estates in South India and Ceylon combined with malty Assam and toasty Darjeeling. Either is royally suited for an afternoon tea.