LCBO Food and Drink Holiday 2016

GIFTING  SIMPLE PLEASURES

for the vodka lover orange peels, cranberries, star anise and sugar recipe on page 241

You love your vodka lover, but you will also love making this syrup for them! Just peeling the oranges fills the kitch- en with a wonderful fresh citrus aroma. The syrup is very versatile and goes with almost any fruit juice, which makes it the perfect gift for the holiday season. The lovely pink hue adds subtle tones to a simple Vodka & Soda, or can be mixed into a holiday Cosmo Martini with cran- berry juice and lime. If your loved one prefers their vodka neat, you can in- clude a recipe card for holiday ice cubes; pour equal parts Vodka Simple Syrup and water into an ice cube tray, then add frozen cranberries before freezing. Serve 2 to 3 ice cubes and 2 oz vodka for a delicious cocktail that changes flavour as the ice melts.

Nomadik BarleyVodka LCBO 454926, $39.95 Pair this syrup with a new and interesting vodka such as this arti- sanal spirit. The company says, “inspired by the world,” but made right here in Ontario, so it lends a lovely local touch to your gift. Belvedere Diamond Rye Spirit LCBO 401141, $55.95 For a more premium gift, consider a luxury vodka. We love this one for its sleek black and gold bottle, but also because the unfiltered spirit has a rich and lus­ cious mouth feel.

200  FOOD & DRI NK HOLIDAY 2016