LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2020

MAKING MARGARITAS

Ancho Reyes ( LCBO 453969, $40.60), a deli- cious Mexican chili liqueur that was released a few years ago to the delight of bartenders everywhere, is what gives this cocktail its signature kick.

Behind the wood

Lightly-aged reposado tequilas pick up a light golden hue and a delicate hint of sweetness from their time spent in the barrel, which makes them the perfect base for fresh and spicy drinks like La Condesa.

La Condesa Recipe on page 115

Reposado tequila has been “rested” in oak casks for a few months (between two and twelve), just long enough to get the liquid to relax and smooth out any rough edges.

Truth is, Gran Centenario Plata ( LCBO 14393, $38.20) isn’t old enough to be a reposado, but unless you checked its ID, you’d never know this rich, oak- kissed tequila only spent a month in wood. If this 364-day-old buttery-sweet and spicy Casa Noble Reposado ( LCBO 14401, $79.95) had spent 24 more hours in wood, it’d be an añejo (a one-year-old). Aged in wine casks, Mi Campo Reposado ( LCBO 14394, $44.95) has a distinctly herbal character that’s ideal for adding complexity to cocktails. Aged in used bourbon barrels for five months, Hussong’s Tequila Reposado ( LCBO 897181, $65.25) is rich and sweet with a gentle kick.

Margarita glasses are really pretty, but a lot of bars these days just serve the cocktail in a casual rocks glass, instead—partly ’cause it’s way less likely to get knocked over.

You could pair this cocktail with just about any salty snack, but we love it with creamy traditional Mexican desserts like flan or tres leches.

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EARLY SUMMER 2020 FOOD & DRINK