Beat the Heat with Beer Popsicles

Edited by Jennifer L. Price

The heat is rising this summer and the Executive Chef and Beer Director of Rustico, a well-known restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia, have come up with an answer for adults to beat the heat: beer popsicles.

"When it comes to food, I'm often inspired to create adult takes on kid's classics," said Frank Morales, Executive Chef. "With Greg [Engert]'s help, we've developed a very grown-up dessert that is a perfect extension of Rustico's culinary direction – finding new ways to present simple foods that are sometimes paired with beer, often prepared with beer, and always conceived with beer in mind."

Rustico will offer its beer pops in three flavors all summer long: "Raspbeer-y" made with the St. Louis Framboise, a Belgian, fruit-style beer; "Plum," made with Chapeau Mirabelle, a sweet, effervescent and yeasty Belgian Lambic; and the "Fudgesicle," made with Bell's Kalamazoo Stout, a dark, viscous beer from Michigan with creamy, bittersweet chocolate notes.

Other seasonal flavors will be offered on a rotating basis, including "Banana," made with Chapeau Banana Lambic that offers an authentic aroma and classic, golden color, and apple, made with Unibroue Éphémère from Quebec that offers a subtle flavor of green apple, complemented by delicate notes of fruit and spice.

To sample these delights, visit Rustico, located across the street from Buzz at 827 Slaters Lane in the Potomac Plaza in Alexandria, VA. For more information, please visit the website at www.rusticorestaurant.com or call 703-224-5051.