LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2023

Made For Each Other from page 89

MARTINI OLIVES These olives are the flavour bombs that a Martini needs! Soaked in gin and vermouth, they also carry the essence of citrus and botanicals. Spanish queen olives are arguably the best suited, but adding a variety of olives to the mix (or even a few pickled cocktail onions, for Gibson lovers) makes this cocktail accompaniment even more versatile. 1 cup (250 mL) or 5 oz (140 g) mixed brined whole pitted olives, drained 2 pieces lemon peel with white pith trimmed off, 2 inches (5 cm) long 3 oz gin 1/2 oz dry white vermouth 1. Add olives and lemon peel to a 1-cup (250‑mL) airtight jar. 2. Combine the gin and vermouth in a small measuring cup, stir and pour over the olives. 3. Seal the jar and marinate in the fridge for 4 days. Marinated olives keep in the refrigera GIFTING TIP Package in a decorative glass jar and pair with fancy cocktail picks and/or some V-shaped glasses to complete a Martini gift set. Tag the jars with instructions to add three soaked olives to a cocktail pick to gar nish each drink, with an option to add some of the soaking liquid from the jar into the drink, for a twist on the Dirty Martini. tor for up to 3 weeks. Makes 1 cup (250 mL) WINTER EXTRACT This aromatic extract embodies winter flavours, taking vanilla extract and punching it up with the addition of fragrant cinnamon, orange, nutmeg and rosemary. It’s easy to make, and flavours can be tweaked to suit whatever the intended use, whether that’s in a more savoury cocktail or a sweet drink (as you would with a bitter) or dessert (instead of vanilla extract). 2 vanilla bean pods, cut in half and split 1 cinnamon stick, 4 inches (10 cm) long 1/2 whole nutmeg 1/2 tbsp (7 mL) dried rosemary 1 piece orange peel with white pith removed, 1. In a 1-cup (250-mL) sterilized glass jar with an airtight lid, add vanilla beans, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, rosemary and orange peel. Pour vodka into the jar, ensuring it covers all the other ingredients, and seal the jar. 2. Keep the jar in a cool, dark place like a pantry for at least 4 to 6 weeks and up to 6 months, giving it a gentle shake every few days. 3 inches (8 cm) long 1 cup (250 mL) vodka

3. Taste after 4 weeks, and every week there after. When desired aroma and flavour are reached, strain through a cheesecloth-lined sieve. Transfer strained liquid into clean deco rative gifting jars.

ELDERFLOWER PEARLS These floral pearls provide the perfect “pop” in bubbly holiday toasts! Combined with agar agar powder (a vegan gelling agent available at health-food stores or grocery stores like Whole Foods), delicate-­ tasting elderflower liqueur turns into sweet caviar-style jewels. Try topping holiday desserts or ice cream with the pearls, too! 1 cup (250 mL) vegetable oil 1 cup (250 mL) elderflower liqueur (such as St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, LCBO 180695, $50.75 ) 1 tsp (5 mL) agar agar powder 1. Put oil in a 2-cup (500-mL) freezer-safe measuring cup and freeze for approx imately 30 minutes, until oil is cold but doesn’t solidify. 2. Combine liqueur and agar agar powder in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Remove from heat and check temperature using a candy thermometer. Cool until it’s between 130°F and 120°F (54°C to 48°C). 3. Remove cooled oil from freezer and, working quickly using a syringe or dropper, dribble equal-sized droplets of liqueur mixture into oil, until all liqueur mixture forms pearls. 4. Once pearls have settled to the bottom of the oil, use a fine mesh sieve to strain the pearls gently from the oil. Gently run cold water over the pearls to remove remaining oil. Store pearls in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. GIFTING TIP Try packaging the elder flower pearls in a Weck jar or other airtight glass container, wrapped with a pretty ribbon that matches the label colours on the bottle of bubbly. Orange juice “pearls” would be another great option to make and to gift with sparkling wine, for unique mimosas that will be the star of any holiday brunch. Add instructions to spoon 1 to 2 tsp (5 to 10 mL) of pearls into a glass of sparkling wine, to make any seasonal toast lovelier. Makes 1 cup (250 mL)

Makes 1 cup (250 mL)

GIFTING TIP Personalize mini glass jars with your own custom labels. For a more rustic look, depending on your choice of ingredients, insert some of the strained-out whole spices into the jars, such as a vanilla bean segment. Create gift tags that instruct to add 1/2 tsp (2 mL) of the extract to drinks like seasonal vodka Highballs or winter sangria, to make them taste even cozier. SPICED MISO BROWN BUTTER Brown butter adds a gorgeous nuttiness to this condiment, while miso, a traditional Japanese fermented paste, brings some much-needed umami and a salty element to the drink. Find it at grocery, gourmet and Asian food stores.

1/2 cup (125 mL) butter 1/2 cup (125 mL) brown sugar 1 tbsp (15 mL) white miso 1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla extract 1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp (1 mL) freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground ginger

1. Add butter to a small saucepan over medium-­ low heat. Let the butter melt and heat until it starts to foam (about 15 to 20 minutes). Swirl often, removing from heat once the butter turns a light brown and has a nutty aroma. Let butter cool and place it in the fridge to solidify. 2. Once butter is cooled and solidified but still soft, add to a medium bowl with brown sugar. Using an electric or hand mixer, whip until butter and sugar are fully creamed. Add miso, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger and mix until thoroughly combined. 3. Divide into airtight glass gifting jars. Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. GIFTING TIP To gift, package the butter in an airtight glass jar like a mini Mason jar. Tie a tablespoon for measuring and stirring with ribbon around the jar or bottle as an extra garnish. Whichever rum you choose, include instructions to add 2 oz rum, 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the butter plus around 4 oz boiling water, or to taste, for each serving of Hot Buttered Rum. Makes approximately 3/4 cup (175 mL)

FOOD & DRINK HOLIDAY 2023 241