Like every month, June is rife with food holidays celebrating everything from rocky road ice cream to rotisserie chicken, but one of the best ways to make your own food holiday is by celebrating Pride Month instead.
Each year, restaurants, bars and other small businesses all over Orlando bust out not only their rainbow flags, but their creativity, coming up with delicious new ways to support the LGBTQIAP+ community and also nonprofits that do so.
Case in point: Sampaguita in Mills 50, where owner Marie Mercado and her team have been coming up with frosty and fabulous creations and partnering with local organizations for Pride Month since her first ice cream shop, The Greenery Creamery, opened its doors. This year, they’re supporting Zebra Youth, which provides services to LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24, assisting those who are facing homelessness, bullying, isolation from their families, and physical, sexual and drug abuse with individualized programs to guide them to recovery and stability.
“It’s important to us because it means we’re showing up for the youth of our community. They are the future of America, and they need our solidarity more than ever. It’s also meaningful to our employees at Sampaguita to be seen and represented,” she says.
This year, they’re representing not just the many stripes of the original rainbow Pride flag in ice cream (in flavors of vanilla, lemon, matcha, ube and strawberry; tinted vanilla is used in other hued layers, as well) but also the Lesbian, Nonbinary, Trans, Bisexual, Pansexual and Asexual flags, as well. Slices go for $9 apiece, every day of the month, while supplies last. A vegan version of the rainbow cake will be available, as well.
One dollar from each sale will go to Zebra Youth.
Disney Springs delights
Headed over to Lake Buena Vista? This month, Disney Springs‘ members of the Patina Restaurant Group — Maria & Enzo’s, Enzo’s Hideaway, The Edison and Morimoto Asia — will be partnering with 21 Seeds Tequila and its diverse and colorful array of spirits to celebrate Pride Month in liquid form.
These offerings will include Mr. Margarita (21 Seeds Valencia Orange Infused Tequila, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, served over ice with a lime wedge, cucumber slices and a salted rim), Spicy Ms. Margarita (21 Seeds Cucumber Jalapeño Infused Tequila, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, served over ice with a lime wedge, cucumber slices and a salted rim), Proud Paloma (21 Seeds Grapefruit Hibiscus Infused Tequila, pink grapefruit juice, club soda, served over ice with grapefruit slice and basil sprig) and Seed & Sassy (21 Seeds Infused Tequila, club soda, served over ice and topped with fresh fruit).
“Celebrating Pride Month is a way to show both our guests and team members they are seen and celebrated for who they are,” said John Kolaski, president of Patina Restaurant Group, in a news release. “Our partnership with 21 Seeds Tequila allows us to offer unique, flavorful co*cktails while giving back to vital local organizations.”
For the Central Florida Patina Group participants, that local nonprofit is The Center Orlando, which promotes and empowers the LGBT community and its allies through advocacy, education, information and support.
Meanwhile, Summer House on the Lake is getting Jalapeño Business for Pride Month with a co*cktail of the same name, and will be supporting The Center Orlando with a portion of the proceeds, as well. This refresher features Casamigos Blanco, Dos Hombres, grapefruit soda andjalapeño agave.
And over at City Works, you can follow the Rainbow Road, a libation crafted with New Amsterdam Vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry and orange juice and topped with rainbow candy, which its makers say is a delicious homage to the spirit of Pride.
Rainbow pours at Swirlery Wine Bar
“One of the nice things about Paco & Loco Albariño,” says advanced sommelier Melissa McAvoy, owner of SoDo’s Swirlery Wine Bar, “is that they have produced a special celebration label to help support the LGBTQ community members by donating a portion of sales wherever their wine is distributed.”
Swirlery just happens to be one of those places, and this vibrant bottle, with its cheery label, will be available at $24 all month long.
“[This bottle] brings excellent, engaging conversations to the table regarding inclusion … and makes a great gift of quality supporting a family-owned business that supports the cause.”
In addition to this Spanish offering, Swirlery will be serving a festive and fabulous “Rainbow-rata” (a burrata featuring a rainbow popcorn garnish) served alongside a glass of XOBC Proud Sparkling Rosé from Washington for $24.
One dollar from either purchase will go to support The Center Orlando.
“I wanted to support American wines and the LGBTQ+ community. It’s summer, and bubbles are calling!”
Swirlery Wine Bar: 1508 E. Michigan St. in Orlando, 407-270-6300; swirlery.com
Sweets at The Salty
From June 17-23, the Orlando outpost of The Salty will be featuring three specialty items for Pride Month, with proceeds benefiting The Center Orlando. These include the Funfetti Disco Glitter Donut ($4.40), made with a 24-hour mini brioche filled with sugar cookie custard and topped with vanilla bean glaze, homemade rainbow cookies, rainbow sprinkles and edible disco glitter; Rainbow Donut Holes ($3.50, 6 per order) made with 24-hour brioche donut holes, vanilla bean glaze and rainbow sprinkles; and the Blue Majik Vanilla Bean Latte ($6.20) with blue majik and homemade vanilla bean syrup paired with espresso and guest’s choice of milk.
The Salty: 3025 Corrine Drive in Orlando, 407-960-3678; saltydonut.com
Choulala
Always onboard for a Pride celebration, the pastry pros at Choulala are retooling their caramel deluxe entremet for the occasion. This mirror-glazed cake features caramel mousse, chocolate ganache and caramel center and a chocolate-coated almond sponge cake. Bonus for wheat watching: it’s a gluten-free dessert and goes for $5.50 each throughout the month of June.
Additionally, they’ll be handing out free Pride chouquettes with any item purchased throughout June.
“Pride month is big for me because my family, my best friends, my co-workers are part of the LGBTQ+ community and I care about them,” says chef/partner Stephanie Krupp.
Choulala likes spreading that Pride around, too, so you’ll also find these rainbow entremets at Flutes Champagne Bar in Winter Park in both caramel deluxe and chocolate praline flavors.
Choulala: 1786 State Road 436 in Winter Park, 407-543-8558 or 340 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park, 407-960-6688; choulala-pastries.com
Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram@amydrooor on the OSFoodie Instagram account@orlando.foodie. Email:amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, For more foodie fun, join theLet’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
