Rhéo's Sweet Talk
Introducing Rheo’s Raspberry Cordial Chocolate inspired by Anne of Green Gables
Raspberry Cordial – from the page to the stage to our shelf!
Writing by Maureen Argon
The Anne of Green Gables story has been a Canadian classic ever since Lucy Maude Montgomery’s first novel hit the public in 1908. The story of the red-haired, precocious orphan longing for her forever home, and the themes of family, community, love and loss are as relevant today as ever.
This year, The Stratford Festival is offering a new adaptation of this ultimate Canadian story for the stage, written by well-known, award-winning playwright, Toronto theatre director and Anne fan, Kat Sanders.
Anne Shirley (aka Anne of Green Gables) is famous for saying “… I just love bright red drinks!”
With that thought in mind, Anne and her best friend Diana get into a whole lotta trouble one summer afternoon.
Why Raspberry Cordial?
In the Anne of Green Gables story Anne’s guardian, Marilla Cuthbert, is going out of town for the afternoon for a meeting of the Aid society. As a special treat, Anne may invite her “bosom friend,” Diana, over to Green Gables for tea and Raspberry Cordial. Anne is thrilled at the prospect of preparing afternoon tea for her friend, and Diana is equally excited—they both feel like very mature young ladies.
But Anne, being Anne, accidentally serves Diana red current wine instead of the Raspberry Cordial (a non-alcoholic fruity beverage) and after several glasses –
because it’s just so darn good – Diana becomes hopelessly drunk.
Accidental tipple notwithstanding, we’re fairly certain Anne would be equally crazy about Rhéo’s Raspberry Cordial chocolate inspired by her indomitable spirit as she is about “bright red drinks”.
OUR RASPBERRY CORDIAL CHOCOLATE
Created by Rhéo’s candy maker Gilad Rosenberg, “our Raspberry Cordial chocolate begins with our raspberry fruit jelly, topped with a ruby chocolate ganache all enrobbed with our luscious milk chocolate and topped with a sprinkling of sparkling pop rocks.” The combination is at once rich, floral and pleasantly tart. It would pair perfectly with a dry sparkling wine on a sunny summer afternoon!
Diana poured herself out a tumblerful, looked at its bright-red hue admiringly, and then sipped it daintily.
“That’s awfully nice raspberry cordial, Anne,” she said. “I didn’t know raspberry cordial was so nice.”
“I’m real glad you like it. Take as much as you want. I’m going to run out and stir the fire up. There are so many responsibilities on a person’s mind when they’re keeping house, isn’t there?”
When Anne came back from the kitchen Diana was drinking her second glassful of cordial; and, being entreated thereto by Anne, she offered no particular objection to the drinking of a third. The tumblerfuls were generous ones and the raspberry cordial was certainly very nice.
“The nicest I ever drank,” said Diana.
JUST FOR THE SUMMER AT RHEO’S
Anne of Green Gables Chocolates Raspberry Cordial
Photos courtesy of Anne of Green Gables Chocolates
And we have another Anne of Green Gables surprise for you… The original Raspberry Cordial Soda. This summer, we’re so pleased to offer you bottled Raspberry Cordial, a raspberry-flavoured sparkling beverage that’s unique to PEI created by Anne of Green Gables Chocolates – a popular Charlottetown chocolate shop.
Whether you’re heading to the play or simply want a little something new, we invite you to visit our store and try a little bit of Anne’s favourite treats with our limited time Raspberry Cordial chocolate inspired by Anne of Green Gables and Raspberry Cordial soda this season.