LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2024

EASY DOES IT

Shaking gin cocktails can dissipate delicate

botanicals, so try stirring instead.

Shades of Negroni The classic cocktail is bright red, but these gins help create a rainbow of Negronis, with the same refreshingly sweet-bitter balance of the original drink. Take the iconic recipe (1 oz each of gin, sweet red vermouth and a bitter red spirit stirred with ice until well-chilled, garnished with citrus) and substitute one of the gins below, Martini Bianco Vermouth ( LCBO 218040, 1 L, $17.95 ) and the suggested mixers to give these summery Negronis both bright colour and flavour.

ORANGE NEGRONI Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla ( LCBO 573956, $34.50 ) plus bianco vermouth and orange liqueur (preferably Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, LCBO 23057, $42.55 ) creates a Negroni with a juicy citrus hue and flavour. YELLOW NEGRONI Ungava Gin ( LCBO 374231, $38.95 ) with bianco vermouth and Ontario-made Affino Aperitivo (LCBO 17666, $27.95 ) creates a golden, summery Negroni.

PINK NEGRONI Already renowned for its colour changing indigo gin, Empress 1908 has a colourful new hit: Elderflower Rose Gin ( LCBO 36440, $53.95 ), with a gorgeous garnet hue and delicate floral notes. Negroni-ize it with bianco vermouth and Lillet Blanc ( LCBO 322297, $25.9 5) for a lovely pink drink. BLUE NEGRONI Dixon’s Wicked Blueberry Gin ( LCBO 16859, $42.95 ) plus bianco vermouth and Lillet Blanc creates a Negroni with water-and-sky vibes.