LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2023

INSIDE SCOOP

SNACK BAR BAR HACKS

Bartenders across North America are getting creative when it comes to fusing happy hour with snack time. Here are some tasty bites to garnish your next drink.

POP MUSIC Make a small parchment cone—find out how on YouTube—attach it to the glass with a paper clip then fill it with popcorn. The trendy pouch is terrific on an Old Fashioned or Cuba Libre.

Meat Up LOCAL

Started in 2020 by husband-and-wife team Charlie Iscoe and Laya Bail, Sunday Farms (sundayfarms.com) is an online butcher providing southern Ontarians with high-quality, ethically raised meats. What sets them apart is that there’s no need for a subscription or a minimum order—choose exactly what you want and have it delivered right to your front door. Sourced from local farms, offerings include 100-per-cent grass-fed beef and lamb, heritage-breed pork and pasture-raised chicken. You can also get sustainably caught wild Canadian seafood including albacore tuna and spot prawns. Everything is vacuum sealed and frozen, and delivery is free on orders over $99. It’s a great way to support regenerative agriculture and ensure quality at your table every day. —By Irene Matys

SAVOURY SKEWER A gilda, the northern Spanish pintxo of a green olive, anchovy fillet and pickled pepper on a skewer, is practically tailor-made to set atop a bracingly cold Martini or spicy Bloody Caesar.

LOCAL GOING TO PRESS The cold-pressed juice trend has now infiltrated the home bar. Toronto-­ based La Presserie has created a line of all-natural juice cocktail mixers that, with the addition of a spirit, deliver bold, fresh and vibrant takes on six classic cocktails. We’re especially smit ten with the super minty Mojito and the brilliantly hued Cosmo. For properly cold cocktails, make sure your serving glasses are frozen ahead of time, and the straight-up drinks are improved when shaken with ice and strained into chilled glasses. La Presserie Cold Pressed Cocktail Mixers Variety Pack, 6 x 213 mL, $42, lapresserie.ca

SAY CHEESE A crisp, buttery grilled cheese sandwich, cut into triangles and placed over the glass, makes for an eye-catching side snack. It’s amazing with beer-based cocktails such as a Shandy or Black Velvet.

FARM IMAGES SUPPLIED BY SUNDAY FARMS

32 FOOD & DRINK EARLY SUMMER 2023