Viva la France (and French booze)!

If you are looking for a beverage to pair with badminton, breakdancing, surfing or shooting — yes, those are all Olympic sports at Paris 2024 — we have French libations for every taste. And you don’t even have to root for France. Although you really should cheer on the home team during épée with a nice rosé.

Rosé

Speaking of rosés… Let’s not overthink it. Pink wine is divine wine for summer. A few of our new French favorites you won’t need to spend a load of francs on are By.Ott Côtes de Provence Rosé ($25), Mouton Cadet x Mathilde ($19), and Sainte Marguerite en Provence Symphonie ($22). The By.Ott is a little more complex for rosé enthusiasts looking to elevate above the expected peach and citrus notes. The Mathilde is vegan, organic and fruit-forward with just a dash of floral scent. The Sainte Marguerite is fresh, light and simple (that’s a compliment!) and just right for hot July nights.

Lillet Rosé

This apéritif works wonderfully as an early evening pairing with a cheese board or as a stand in for a traditional dessert wine. But it really shines in cocktails and spritzes. And these cocktails and spritzes are almost no work. Half Lillet Rosé ($13), half soda water, over ice, with a grapefruit twist is excellent. Swap the soda water for champagne, still excellent. One third Lillet, one third champagne, one third soda water, you guessed it, excellent. Or get creative and mellow the sweetness of the apéritif with gin or tequila. This one plays well with so many friends.

Vodka Martini

Call this Let’s Not Over Think It Part II. If you like vodka martinis, have a great one made from France’s best ingredients: Grey Goose Vodka ($24), the wonderfully herbaceous and floral extra dry Boissiere Vermouth ($12), and a Picholine olive. Apologies if you’re a twist person. You are on your own finding French lemons.

St-Germain Hugo Spritz

Still drinking Aperol Spritz? How so very gauche. Graduate to the next hip and bubbly beverage by picking up a bottle of this legendary elderflower liqueur. Simply mix 1.5 oz St-Germain ($20) with 2 oz prosecco, 2 oz soda water, a fist full of mint leaves, and a lime wedge and serve over ice. Yes, the cocktail has its roots in Northern Italy, but its French ingredients make it perfect for any sunny patio in the Alps (or any sunny balcony in Boston or any shady basement in Somerville or…).

Red wine

Yes, you can drink reds in the summer. Yes, you can chill them a bit to help you cool off. Splurge on a bottle of Château de Pez Saint-Estèphe 2nd Pez 2020 ($40), put this Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend in the fridge for 45 minutes, and enjoy with something meaty, like a heavyweight judo match. For something a shade lighter, and cooler, try the 2019 Madame de Beaucaillou ($26), which is a mix of Merlot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Lighter reds can chill longer, so drop this in the fridge for an hour and pair with something lighter, like a middleweight judo match.