LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2024

INSIDE SCOOP

THE BLUEPRINT Freezer Old Fashioneds The Old Fashioned fits the earliest definition of a cocktail—“spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters.” The high level of alcohol also makes it perfect for the freezer treatment—just batch, dilute and freeze for quick, perfect drinks, no stirring required (find our recipes on p. 188). The basic formula for a single drink is 2 oz spirit, 1/3 oz water, 1 tsp (5 mL) sweetener, 2 dashes bitters and garnish, which you can multiply by any factor you want. We played around with the ingredients and came up with some tasty variations below.

ENTERTAINING The Big Takeaway BY VICTORIA WALSH When entertaining this holiday season, don’t be afraid to farm out everything from apps to baked goods—or even the whole shebang. Here are a few ideas to lighten your load.

Shortbread from Craig’s Cookies craigscookies.com These chocolate-chip-cookie-wrapped shortbreads may not be traditional, but they are unbelievably delicious. They’re also owner Craig Pike’s favourite. Pick them up at one of their locations in Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake or Collingwood, or order for Canada-wide shipping. Noted for their savoury, deep-dish pies, this butcher bakes seasonal Québécois style tourtière with traditional spices and a serrano ham–laced crust. It’s available in stores and for delivery in Dundas/Hamilton, Toronto and Muskoka. Christmas Dinner by Goodness Me! goodnessme.ca This chain of natural food stores does an annual “just like mom’s” turkey dinner to feed eight with all the fixings, including pie. Bonus: The meal features free‑run, antibiotic-free turkey and organic vege tables. Order at any of their locations across Ontario. Tourtière from Cumbrae’s cumbraes.com

RYE WHISKY

REPOSADO TEQUILA

WHITE RUM

GIN

SPIRIT

Rich Demerara Syrup (see p. 188)

11/2 tsp (7 mL) Grenadine (see p. 188)

11/2 tsp (7 mL) Lime-Clove Syrup (see p. 188)

SWEETENER

Agave Syrup

Chocolate or Mole

BITTERS

Angostura

Peychaud’s

1 dash Orange

Charcuterie by The Yum Box theyumbox.ca This Oakville shop, which offers up

Grapefruit Twist

GARNISH

Lemon Twist

Orange Twist

Lime Wheel

charcuterie in new and inventive ways, including boxes, snacking cups and even cakes by the slice, is known for its stunning presentation. They deliver to Toronto, Hamilton and the western GTA.

For a great Canadian Old Fashioned , try spicy Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye (LCBO 434092, $38.95).

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———————— HOLIDAY 2024