As summer looms, bartenders are mixing fresh drinks for patio season, forgoing frills for simplicity and embracing lesser-known spirits. Below, and, in no particular order, are five summer drink trends making the rounds across Canada.

The lure of California during a cold Canadian winter is one thing, but the lure of its wine is quite another. In fact, according to the Wine Institute of California, 90 per cent of U.S. wine sales in Canada are from California wines, which sold in excess of five-million cases for the first time in 2012, an increase of 16.2 per cent, compared to the previous year. This impressive growth compares well to the overall wine market, which only grew 3.7 per cent in Canada, according to statistics taken from the Monthly Sales Reports, published by Ottawa’s Canadian Vintners Association (CVA) in conjunction with Ottawa’s Association of Canadian Distillers (ACD).

Everyone is jumping on the smoothie train, but when it comes to serving these trendy fruit blends, QSR restaurants reign supreme, offering 75 per cent of all smoothie servings in the market, according to NPD Group research. These better-for-you blends are hotter than ever, with servings doubling in growth, compared to two years ago; and the cool beverages are gaining an assortment of fans, from children to mature adults.

A shot of tequila is par for the course in college, which partly explains why it’s the fourth fastest-growing spirit category in Canada after bourbon, Irish whiskey and spiced rum; it’s also boasted a steady double-digit growth rate since 2007, according to Ottawa’s Association of Canadian Distillers (ACD). ACD figures also show the market is still dominated by inexpensive mixto tequilas, namely Jose Cuervo Gold, Sauza Gold and Sauza Silver (made with 51-per-cent agave or more), which are three tequilas that make up more than 50 per cent of sales. That said, the premium and super-premium tequilas are making an impact, too.