Spring in San Diego can’t seem to decide whether to stay or go. Or maybe we’re just in the midst of April showers bringing May flowers … Gigi and I flew home from a week in DC with friends on Friday, touching down minutes before a pounding rain enveloped San Diego (that still didn’t stop us from stopping by our favorite Mexican food place, Las Olas, on the way home).
But Sunday was warm and bright, ideal for a BBQ with friends. I pulled together this fruit salad to pair with my friend’s bison burgers and Greek chicken salad (grilled chicken marinated in salt, pepper and olive oil, then tossed with grilled slices of lemon and tomato, a few handfuls of crisp cucumber slices and a hearty dollop of plain Greek yogurt all dressed in a simple oil and vinegar vinaigrette). Instead of using lemon juice to preserve the bananas, I squeezed three oranges over the salad and tossed in a few slivers of mint from my container garden. With a cool ocean breeze and a group of friends, new and old, it was the perfect ending to spring break.
If you’re looking to extend that spring break feeling, consider popping open a can of Cascal. This lovely gluten-free drink is showing up in all sorts of places, including Whole Foods and Food & Wine magazine. And if you enter my giveaway, it could show up at your doorstep!
The fine folks at Cascal are giving away a five-can sampler of Cascal and let me tell you, I swooneed at first sip. This natural soda is gluten- and caffeine-free and delivers a ton of refreshing flavor without adding sugar (other than the sugars from the fruit). Perfect with a light lunch or on its own (or, if you prefer, a dash of lemon vodka works well, too).
Cascal comes in five lively flavors – check out these flavor notes and pairing suggestions from Cascal:
- Crisp White: With notes of pear, apricot and magnolia, Crisp White pairs especially well strawberry ice cream, fresh salads, a mild Brie cheese or any number of the more robust cheeses.
- Ripe Rouge: With notes of cherry, rose and chocolate, Ripe Rouge pairs especially well with Marcona almonds, marinated olives, Asiago cheese, grilled beef or chocolate cake.
- Fresh Tropical: With notes of mango, jasmine and kaffir lime, Fresh Tropical pairs especially well with Pad Thai, barbecue sandwiches or sweet mango salsa and crisp tortilla chips.
- Bright Citrus: With notes of lemongrass, tangerine and pineapple, Bright Citrus pairs especially well with tangy teriyaki chicken, a gourmet chicken sandwich or fresh guacamole and chips.
- Berry Cassis: With notes of black currant, tangerine and lemon, Berry Cassis pairs especially well with creamy hummus and crisp pita chips or spicy tandoori chicken.
To enter, leave me a comment letting me know which flavor you want to try first. For two additional entries, and . Contest is open to anyone residing in the 48 contiguous United States; contest winner will be selected by Random.org and the contest closes Monday, April 23, 2012 at 5:00 PM PST.
Disclaimer: Cascal provided me with a five-can sample pack in conjunction with this giveaway, but the opinions expressed are mine. Cascal photo courtesy of Cascal.
UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Monique of SurferWife is our winner, congrats!!
Bright citrus! I love lemongrass.
Sounds too good to be true – I vote for tropical!
I follow you on twitter
I follow cascal on twitter
Sounds so refreshing! I think I’d like to try the bright citrus. Thanks for the chance.
Follow you on Twitter.
I would love to try the Berry Cassis first. It sounds lovely and can be paired with meals nicely. I’m prego and don’t usually drink soda but have been craving anything carbonated as of late.
Berry Cassis sounds yummy!
Crisp White sounds delicious & right up my alley!
Already follow you on Twitter, hot mamma.
Now following Cascal!
I can’t decide if I want the crisp one or the tropical one. they both sound delicious!
I follow you on Twitter, of course!
Crisp White sounds good to me. The picture of the fruit is amazing. Fruit salad will be part of our dinner tonight.
how do i sign up for the gluten free giveaway
Bright citrus!!
Ripe rouge sounds delightful!
I would love to try the Bright Citrus!
Following you on Twitter @Distracteddebra
Following Cascal on Twitter @Distracteddebra
Although the Crisp white sounds so refreshing, I think I’d want to try the Berry Cassis first! The Berry Cassis sounds yummy to pair with a BBQ!