LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2023

WOOD WORKING

IF YOU HAVE A WEEK TO A MONTH

Barrel-Aged Count Camillo More than a century ago, the Negroni was reportedly invented by an Italian count in Florence, when he ordered an Americano, a combination of red vermouth and Campari, but with gin in place of the usual spritz of soda water. (Swap the gin for bourbon, and you have a cocktail called a Boulevardier, which is also delicious when oak-aged using this same method.) Sweet white vermouth (Martini Bianco Vermouth, LCBO 218040, 1 L, $17.95 ) creates a drink that, with long aging (it can stay in a barrel up to 90 days) often turns a mellow coral colour. A slightly overproof gin (like Tanqueray 10, The Botanist or Boodles) helps extract more barrel flavour.

Recipe p. 240

ROLL OUT THE BARREL

Mini-barrels can be used for a few batches before they lose their ability to impart flavour. In between batches, rinse your barrel with a citric acid and water mixture (1 tsp citric acid dissolved in each litre of water). If you store the barrel between batches, it should remain empty, not full of water; for best results, fill it while it’s still wet.

194 FOOD & DRINK HOLIDAY 2023