LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2021

BRANDY IS BACK

Brandy: beyond basic

Brandy is a versatile base in these iconic liqueurs and spirits that should join your holiday bar.

Espresso Martini Instead of vodka, make brandy the base for a velvety, espresso-­ enriched Martini.

Chartreuse Green LCBO 37333, 375 mL, $37.85 Brandy is the base of this herbaceous green liqueur, an essential ingredient in a per- fectly balanced Last Word cocktail. Bitter oranges infuse French Cognac with a flavour that’s key to many classic cocktails; try using it to upgrade hot chocolate. Benedictine & Brandy LCBO 359828, $40.95 A ready-to-drink cocktail of brandy with an elixir made by French monks, this liqueur is lovely over ice or in after-dinner coffee. A touch of brandy boosts sweet pear, raisin and nut notes, and makes this sweet dessert wine affordable for holiday entertaining. Kittling Ridge Icewine & Brandy LCBO 558999, 375 mL, $19.95 Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge LCBO 1784, $50.10

Metropolitan A Manhattan made with two parts brandy instead of whisky takes on festive dried fruit notes.

Brandy Old-Fashioned A dash of bitters, soda and ice are all you need; most brandies don’t require the recipe’s added sugar.

Find the recipes at lcbo.com/fdholiday21

Dandy brandy cocktails From the Corpse Reviver No. 1 and Sidecar to classic Champagne cocktails, many iconic drinks call for brandy. You can give many more cocktail recipes a fresh twist by substituting brandy for other spirits. Its spicy and caramelly characteristics add an immediate flavour burst, and since many brandies are slightly sweetened, it helps create a smooth and rich cocktail texture. In fact, you may not have to add simple syrup, sugar or other sweeteners to create a balanced drink, so leave them out initially and taste as you mix anything from a Brandy Sour to these famous cocktails.

Shop the issue at lcbo.com/fdholiday21

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HOLIDAY 2021 FOOD & DRINK