LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2021

INSIDE SCOOP

The mock-up In a spirit-free cocktail, mixology’s golden rules need to compensate for the missing taste, warmth andmouth feel of alcohol. Start with a 4:1 ratio of mixer to tart or sour ingredient, and then try half as much sweet as sour (being mindful that your mixer might contain sugar too). Add splashes or dashes of strong or bitter, if desired, plus something to give it texture. Finally, a garnish appeals to all the senses! By Charlene Rooke SEASONAL SIPS

Mixer Plain or flavoured soda water; tonic water (Fever-Tree, Fentimans); sparkling citrus soda (San Pellegrino); coconut water; a ginseng drink (Farmaroot) Sour Lemon, lime or grapefruit juice; muddled blackberries or cranberries; brine; white balsamic or apple cider vin- egar; a flavour like tamarind, rhubarb or hibiscus Sweet Fruit juice, agave nectar, honey, maple syrup, flavoured syrup (cinnamon, vanilla), orgeat (beet, carrot); spice (chili or black pepper, ginger, nutmeg); alcohol-free spirit (Sobrii, Spiritliss) Bitter: Cocktail bitters, coffee or tea, tonic water, hop water, bitter Italian soda (Brio), alcohol-free amaro (Novaro) Texture Carbonated drink; blended ice or frozen fruit; coconut milk; egg white, chickpea liq- uid or pineapple juice, shaken to create foam Garnish Flavoured sugar or salt rim; citrus twists or wedges; fresh or preserved fruit; pickled asparagus, beans or peppers; olives; cucumber ribbons; fresh herbs Strong or Bitter Strong: Vegetable juice

Tonic water

Agave syrup

Celery bitters

Ice

Grapefruit juice

Grapefruit twist

TRY SOME OF THESE COMBINATIONS

bitter lemon soda + lime juice + pineapple juice + pickled jalapeño brine + jalapeño slice

sparkling coconut water + white cranberry juice + mint syrup + lime wedge

unsweetened tea + lemon juice + maple syrup + cocktail bitters + fresh mint

For a collection of seasonal mocktail recipes, visit lcbo.com/holidaymocktails.

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HOLIDAY 2021 FOOD & DRINK