Local businesses collaborate to create new summer drinks

After work, sipping on a cocktail at the restaurant with her mother, Taryn Stephenson thought: What if summer drinks are infused with tea and available locally?

Thus, the summer collaboration for Maple Ridge residents happened between Sammy J’s Bar and Grill and Once Upon a Tea Leaf.

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The hope is to create a “whimsical summer indulgence” for people as they sip on five new exclusive summer drinks infused with their teas, said Stephenson, co-founder of Once Upon a Tea Leaf.

The bar and grill owned and operated by brothers, Mike and Steve expressed their excitement for this partnership.

“We are thrilled to partner with Once Upon a Tea Leaf and introduce cocktails infused with their small batch blended tea from Maple Ridge. It aligns perfectly with our commitment to support local while still providing exceptional dining experiences to our guests,” said Steve Gardner of Sammy J’s.

You can also enjoy these cocktails in a non-alcoholic version, Stephenson confirmed to The Ridge.

Although these drinks are just a summer special, she aspires to achieve more.

“These drinks have never been on the menu before as I developed them for the summer feature. It would be a dream to have a tea cocktail on the menu each season but for right now these are just a summer offering,” she said.

The five flavours are mango tango, berrylicious margarita, meet your matcha, Aperol spritz and passion.