LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2024

INSIDE SCOOP

Trendspotting A roundup of what we’re into this season.

BAR HACK In the Mix

TRY IN TEA!

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Mixologists have a number of tricks to give cocktails a little some thing extra. Here are three flavour enhancers to throw into the mixing glass or shaker, just remember to fine-strain the drink. RICE A trio of New York–based bartenders discovered the benefits of adding one to two tablespoons of rice to the mixing glass of stirred drinks. Not only does the starch bring a silkier texture to the drink, it softens the harsher edges of bitter ingre dients. Try it in a Negroni or Toronto Cocktail. COFFEE BEANS Parisian bartender Nico de Soto pioneered the technique of stirring coffee beans in cocktails to give the drink a hint of café . This works best with brown spirits and sweet vermouth. Give it a spin in your next Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Oily, dark roast beans are ideal; use up to 1 tablespoon per drink. CITRUS PEELS Citrus peels are a com mon cocktail garnish, but when you squeeze and drop one into the shaker for sours, it brings a fuller flavour and a hint of bitterness. Sommelier Theo Lieberman came up with the idea in 2010 and dubbed it the “regal shake.” Try a grapefruit twist in your next Daiquiri or an orange peel in a Sidecar.

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SUSTAINABLE Peel of Fortune The next time you’re baking an apple pie or crisp, don’t throw out the peels and cores! Consider whipping up a batch of Spiced Apple Peel Syrup (recipe p. 142), which wrings out the flavour from these trimmings. You can make a lighter syrup (above) to sweeten herbal tea or cocktail sours, or make a darker, thicker syrup (see Rich Spiced Apple Peel Syrup on p. 142) for pan cakes or drinks with brown spirits.

SHOULD I BUY Glass of ’24

Since the right glass makes all the difference, the LCBO now carries a range of fine glassware from Viski. 1. With a gold-plated base, the Gatsby Tumbler ( LCBO 40853, 2 pk, $29.95 ) will make your next Negroni shine. 2. The elegant faceted shape of Seneca Martini glasses ( LCBO 40855, 2 pk, $29.95 ) makes clear cocktails glitter like diamonds. 3. Featuring the same handsome design as the tumbler, the Gatsby Highball ( LCBO 40854, 2 pk, $29.95 ) will dress up a Tom Collins. 4. Beau Coupes ( LCBO 40851, 2 pk, $29.95 ) bring Art Deco flair to a Manhattan. Look for all these glasses online at LCBO.com.

SEASONAL SIPS Scotch-Tails

Not so long ago, Scotch fans would have looked askance at using their favourite spirit in cocktails, but today scotch-tails are right on-trend. Use peated Scotch, like smoky Bowmore 12-Year-Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (LCBO 330803, $76.20), as you might mezcal. It’s smolderingly good in our Peat’s Cure with lemon, honey and ginger. Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (LCBO 414334, $59.55) makes great highballs mixed with ginger ale or club soda and a lemon twist. Manhattan and Negroni fans can try it in similar classics like a Blood and Sand or Rusty Nail . Find recipes online at LCBO.com/fdautumn24. –CR

SYRUP PHOTO: ROB FIOCCA

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