Toast Recommends

Summer Quick Shots

What's new in the world of drinks

A copper cuppa

Since Moscow Mules first appeared in the 1940s, copper mugs have been essential for proper presentation. These gorgeous mugs from Tessuti are pure copper which keeps the drink colder, longer. RRP $55.50 from shop.tessuti.co.nz

Book club 

From an aperitif as the sun sets, a delicious night cap in the early hours through to a "hair of the dog" the next day, A Spot at the Bar: Welcome to the Everleigh has you covered. The Everleigh is Australia's top cocktail bar and is famous for creating mixology magic to suit every occasion. With more than 300 recipes for sensational drinks, this book is an invitation to the inner sanctum of The Everleigh. By Michael Madusran & Zara Young, published by Hardie Grant, RRP $45. Published by Hardie Grant. 

How to Have a Beer 

If there’s any book you need to buy this summer, “accidental beer nerd” Alice Galletly’s How to Have a Beer is it. After producing her highly entertaining Beer for a Year blog where she drank a different beer each day for 365 days, Alice realised she was in deep with the brew thing, and went on to write this fantastic read. How to Have a Beer will be available from November 25th. RRP $26 
 

Dangerously cool 

Keep your drinks dangerously cool with this giant 3D shark ice mould. The aquatic blue tray is designed to stand level in your freezer, preventing spills, and the flexible silicone makes it easy to set your shark free once frozen. Each tray features indents for sharp teeth, revealing terrifying detail in the ice. RRP $19, available from collected.co.nz 

A glassy affair 

This hand-blown carafe from Monmouth Glass Studio doesn’t discriminate. It’ll happily host your finest wines, help air out your not-so-fine wines or just keep your good old fashioned water looking pretty. Made in New Zealand. RRP $180, available from commontimes.co.nz



Lighten up

Who would have thought empties could become cool accessories? This nifty little gadget will transform your unoccupied bottles into a lamp or light-up table feature in a matter of seconds. RRP $29, available from collected.co.nz 

Party professional 

No matter the size or occasion – birthday, wedding, anniversary – everyone loves a celebration. But once you’ve made a guest list, sorted the location and locked in your groove-inducing entertainment, the idea of sourcing drinks and party supplies can seem a bit daunting and questions start to whirl – what drinks do I serve? How much will I need? Where do I get glasses from? What about non-alcoholic drinks? This is is where Liquorland’s staff and their magical party planning abilities can step in and ease your pain. With their knowledge you will have your drinks, glassware and party supplies (can’t forget the ice!)sorted in a jiffy. Their handy online drinks calculator is also a fantastic tool for estimating quantities to avoid over or under catering. All you’ll have to think about is what to wear when you’re zooming around the dancefloor. For more details visit liquorland.co.nz or visit your local Liquorland.

Lighter lager 

Heineken is offering Kiwis a great alternative to their favourite green bottle with less calories and carbs, making it the perfect beer of choice this summer. At 2.5% ABV, Heineken Light has 72 calories per 330ml bottle, approximately half the calories and carbohydrates of Heineken 5%. RRP $22.99 330ml 12 pack bottles. Available from here

U.S of Ale! 

A new release American Pale Ale from Tuatara Brewing co., this larger than-life beer uses big-tasting American hops, including the aptly named Tomahawk, to create a citrus orange flavour explosion. With more notes than the Star-Spangled Banner, the taste of Tomahawk is bigger than Texas. RRP $$22.99 330ml 6 pack bottles available from here 



Stop it! 

We never thought we’d ever want a reason to close a bottle up. But these Bottle House Bottle Stoppers from Area Ware might just have changed that. Made from beech wood and rubber, these reusable stoppers will keep your drinks fresh and your bottles looking very cute. RRP $8.00 Available from areaware.com

Shake it up

Fill, shake and pour. That’s all you need to do to have delicious, mess-free cocktails for all your summer guests. Kilner’s one litre glass cocktail shaker is designed with your happiness (and thirstiness) in mind. RRP $32.00, available from paperplanestore.com

Go Tuatara

Top New Zealand Lager, Pale Ale, Wheat and Other Grains and Champion New Zealand Brewery. Wow, Tuatara, you well and truly cleaned up at the 2016 New Zealand Brewers Guild Awards. And here at Toast, we couldn't be prouder. Well done. A great selection of Tuatara’s tasty brews can be found at here

South Pacific Star

A New Zealand take on a popular North American beer style, Moa's South Pacific IPA is seriously delicious. Using famous Cascade and Nelson Sauvin hops, the dominant features in this beer are unique to New Zealand and the Moa bottle conditioned brewing method. Its hoppy strength displays powerful floral, citrus and tropical notes backed up with a strong malt backbone. Perfect for sipping as the sun goes down on yet another stunning summer day. RRP $22.99 330ml 6 pack bottles available from here

Burning Up 

Ever wanted a cooling apple cider at a time that might not quite be appropriate? (After a morning run, perhaps?) This delicious Crisp Apple Cider candle from Crushes has you sorted. You can burn this little number all day and dream of the delicious summer drinks you might be making after 5pm. RRP$45.00 Available from crushes.co.nz 

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