LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2019

INSIDE SCOOP

If you want to enjoy shrimp and stay in Ocean Wise’s good books, look for those raised in Ontario. Yes, you read that correctly. Using closed-system aquaculture, companies such as Aylmer-based Planet Shrimp (planetshrimpcompany.com) are farming the tasty crustaceans right here in Ontario with minimal impact to the environment. Local shrimp are not the easiest to find, but when you do locate some, snap them up for a next-level shrimp ring.

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TRENDSPOTTING

While stocking your bar for the holiday season, you can also pick up something special for designated drivers and other abstainers. The LCBO’s selection of nonalcoholic beers just got a boost with a few notable additions. The buzz on near beer Belgium’s beloved witbier now comes in a de-alco- holized version called Hoegaarden 0.0 ( LCBO 11661, 6 pk, $11.95). And from Partake Brewing, a local outfit specializing in no-buzz beer, there is the citrusy, gently bitter Partake Brewing Non-Alcoholic IPA ( LCBO 13654, 355 mL, $2.00).

Boxed in SUSTAINABLE CHOICE

Reduce your ecological footprint this holiday season with bag-in-box wines. Ranging from 3 to 4 litres, they’re perfect for entertaining and won’t fill your blue bin with heavy glass bottles. And if you’re worried that boxed wine is dé- classé, just think of it as wine on tap! Two crowd-pleasers include Folonari Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC (LCBO 492116, 3 L, $45.90) and Radio Boka Tempranillo (LCBO 491118, 3 L, $45.90).

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What punch should I serve at a holiday party?

Whether you’re throwing a neighbourhood get-together or a big office party, punch is a host’s best friend. Since you’ve got plenty on your plate, keep it simple with our Cognac-based Classic Punch (recipe at lcbo.com/fdholiday19), which requires little more effort than brewing tea and slicing fruit.

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HOLIDAY 2019 FOOD & DRINK