LCBO Food & Drink Spring 2023

EDITOR’S NOTES

Spring Is In!

While officially here, spring still feels a little way off as we soldier on through the last wintery days of March and early April. Focusing a keen eye on the future, in this issue we embrace the new season with a trend report on what you can expect to be sipping when it finally comes time to raise a cocktail and toast the first warmer days of the year. In “Spring Drinks Forecast,” our Drinks Editor, Charlene Rooke, casts a critical eye on what cocktail trends she thinks are here to last, then rolls them up into four drinks that will put you on the cutting edge of cocktail culture all year long. She also has a bit of fun with a nod to some of the passing fads that you are no doubt seeing on your timelines. Read all about them, starting on page 76. Tasting flights have also been trending more and more in restaurants, moving beyond drinks to include food flights, as well: so why not combine the two? We’ve done just that

use a little pop of colour. In “Pretty Please” on page 64, you’ll find our cover star, plus a few other recipes that are sure to be a welcome visual and taste sensation no matter the occasion. “Playing Favourites” on page 39 takes traditional spring dishes and gives them a flavour twist to liven up your recipe repertoire—ham and cheese hot cross buns anyone? And finally, on page 53, if winter is still holding on tight, curl up with another comfort food meal (created just for two) and press play on your favourite show for one more cozy night in. No matter the weather, we hope you enjoy the season and this issue!

starting on page 97 with wine, cocktail and beer flights that each have their own small bites to serve alongside—a novel entertaining idea, and a good way to share the load, the next time you get together with friends. Of course, the biggest trend this time of year is the shift in our appetites towards lighter, fresher fare and drinks. On page 47, we take a look at “The Softer Side of Red” and suggest lighter styles and varietals that are a nice contrast to the heavier reds we’ve been drinking all winter. Sprouts and microgreens are starting to pop up and we have jumped on those for a burst of fresh flavour with five delectable recipes—including a Monte Cristo sandwich that is perfect for brunch —starting on page 70. Family gatherings are also on the horizon, and those celebrations can always

You’ll find lots of tips and ideas for how to eat and drink more sustainably in our “Inside Scoop” section starting on page 21, but to learn more about all that the LCBO is doing to create a more sustainable Ontario, check out the annual Spirit of Sustainability Impact Report—and more—online at lcbo.com/sustainability.

JODY DUNN Editor, LCBO Food & Drink

@lcbofoodanddrink

lcbofoodanddrink

LCBO

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMES TSE

14 FOOD & DRINK SPRING 2023