LCBO Food & Drink Spring 2026

Retro Refresh from page 37

1. Crush pink peppercorns and coarse pink salt together. Dampen and dip one side of two chilled Martini glasses with the salt and pepper mixture to create partial glass rims. 2. In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine mezcal, fino sherry, lemon and ginger juices, and agave syrup and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into rimmed Martini glasses. BUBBLY BLUE HAWAII This lightly sparkling version has been refreshed with pineapple kombucha instead of juice and uses white port in place of traditional rum for a drier, lower-alcohol cocktail. 4 oz white port 2 oz blue Curaçao 2 oz lime juice 4 oz pineapple kombucha 2 pineapple wedges for garnish 2 Amarena or maraschino cherries for garnish 2 pineapple fronds for garnish 1. Combine white port, blue Curaçao and lime juice in an ice-filled cocktail shaker; shake well for 30 seconds. Strain into two ice-filled highball glasses. 2. Top each drink with pineapple kombucha and garnish with a pineapple wedge, cherry and pineapple frond. GARDEN DAIQUIRI This peppery version of the classic blended drink makes the most of seasonal ingredients, including fresh strawberries and fennel fronds. 3 oz aged white rum 2 oz fresh lime juice 3/4 oz balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh strawberries, chopped 14 ice cubes (2 to 21/2 cups/500 to 625 mL) 2 fennel fronds for garnish Strawberries for garnish (optional) Sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper 1. Combine rum, lime juice, balsamic, strawberries and ice cubes in a blender and blend on high until mixture has a smooth, even consistency. Makes 2 drinks Makes 2 drinks

WHITE LADY FIZZ This recipe calls for tequila, instead of the gin used in the original White Lady recipe, and it’s been lengthened with ginger beer to make for more leisurely sipping. 2 oz blanco tequila 1 oz clear orange liqueur, such as Meaghers Triple Sec (LCBO 5215, $29.75) 2 oz fresh lemon juice 1 egg white 6 oz chilled ginger beer 2 pieces candied ginger 2 cocktail parasols to garnish (optional) 1. In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine tequila, orange liqueur, lemon juice and egg white, and shake well for 60 seconds. 2. Strain into two chilled flutes and top with chilled ginger beer. Garnish with candied ginger and cocktail parasols, if using. GRAPEFRUIT RICKEY This slushy twist on a classic Lime Rickey calls for grapefruit and includes an optional drizzle of sweet heat. Brands like Sauci’s (cocktailemporium.com), Dript Gourmet (driptgourmet.com) and The Capsaicin Cartel (tccsauce.com) make spicy maple syrup. 3 oz gin 4 oz Ruby Red grapefruit juice 11/2 oz fresh lime juice 3/4 oz hot maple syrup (substitute: regular maple syrup) 7 cubes ice 2 lime wheels or cheeks 1. Combine first five ingredients in a blender and mix on high for 45 seconds or until it is a smooth slushie consistency. Makes 2 drinks

PINK GINTINI This fresh version of a ’90s classic French Martini is a little more complex than the original, thanks to pink gin in place of vodka and brighter citrus flavour from fresh lemon juice. To give this drink a more lush taste, texture and a foamy head, it’s worth splashing out on Black River pineapple juice, available at most grocery stores. 2 oz pink gin, such as Malfy Gin Con Rosa (LCBO 636068, $45.75) 11/2 oz raspberry liqueur, such as Chambord Royale (LCBO 111443, $47.55)

2 oz fresh lemon juice 1 oz pineapple juice 6 fresh raspberries for garnish

1. In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, shake gin, raspberry liqueur, lemon and pineapple juices for 30 seconds. 2. Strain into two chilled Martini glasses and garnish each with three fresh raspberries on a cocktail pick.

Makes 2 drinks

SMOKY LEMON DROP This recipe takes the flavour of the original 1990s Lemon Drop up a couple of notches by using mezcal in place of vodka and adding a little zesty ginger to the mix. Pink peppercorns and pink salt for rimming glass 2 oz mezcal 2 oz dry fino sherry, such as Tio Pepe Extra Dry Fino (LCBO 231829, $19.95) 2 oz fresh lemon juice

2. Pour into two chilled flutes and garnish each with lime.

1 oz ginger juice 1 oz agave syrup

Makes 2 drinks

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———————— SPRING 2026