LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2022

LESS IS MORE

Spirit-less

LEARN THE LINGO HERE’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Zero-Proof Nobody needs to feel left out of the party again, thanks to an explosion of new “zero-proof” wine, beer, spirits and even cocktails. By Canadian law, anything under 0.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) is considered non alcoholic, or zero-proof. Lower-ABV Looking to compromise between zero-proof and full-strength? Meet lower-ABV drinks made with lower-alcohol bases like vermouth, sherry and/or Italian amaro—traditional old-world “slow” drinks that are having a moment. De-alcoholized Most “non-alcoholic” products are “de-alcoholized,” a process that removes most of the alcohol through evaporation. Trace levels persist, however, since it’s impossible to get it down to zero. That said, many everyday foods, like rye breads, ripe bananas and chocolate, often contain a tiny amount of alcohol— also under 0.5%.

Whether they’re called “temperance drinks” or “boneless libations,” low- or zero-proof sections are popping up on the menu at every great cocktail bar these days. Making these creations has gotten much easier and a lot more fun thanks to the arrival of dozens of new non alcoholic spirits—an idea whose time has come.

PALOMINO PUNCH P. 157

LOWER ALCOHOL APERITIVOS

When it comes to lower-alcohol options, Italians were ahead of the curve with bitter-sweet aperitivos, like Martini Fiero ( LCBO 16079, $27.95, 15% ABV ), which goes perfectly with tonic or soda.

BY THE NUMBERS

25% A spirit with less than 25% ABV is considered “light.”

Any wine or beer under 1.1% ABV

can be called “low-alcohol.”

ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID SPARSHOTT; (NOLITA GLASS) HIGHBALL GLASS, BY OUI, FROM INDIGO, CHAPTERS.INDIGO.CA

62 FOOD & DRINK EARLY SUMMER 2022