LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2021

LCBO’S August Cocktail of the Month

HIP TO SIP

Fortify your summer Wine-based sherry and vermouth fortified wines are tasty, lower in alcohol than spirits and extremely flexible: Mix simple and delicious cocktails by adding soda or tonic over ice.

Umami in a bottle Experiment with savoury bitters to brighten and deepen the flavours in a drink or dish. The Japanese Bitters Umami (cocktailemporium.com) Made with kelp, bonito, shiitake mushrooms and a hint Sustainable sip Our versatile Rosé Sangria (recipe on page 172) banishes food waste by using ripe-and-ready fruit and herbs. Visit the Cocktail of the Month page at lcbo.com/fdcocktail to watch this drink being made. — MH and LP

Use sweet Osborne Santa Maria Cream Sherry ( LCBO 31120, $13.95) in a classic Sherry Cobbler (recipe at lcbo.com/fdsummer21). Mix dry Tio Pepe Extra Dry Fino ( LCBO 231829, $18.95) or medium-sweet Williams & Humbert Dry Sack ( LCBO 13565, $14.50) sherry with lemonade.

Sweet vermouths like Martini & Rossi Bianco ( LCBO 218040, 1 L, $14.75) and Red ( LCBO 215343, 1 L, $14.75) are simply delicious with ginger ale or soda water and a slice of lemon.

of citrus, this potion gives a Caesar or porter and stout beers a smoky barbecue edge, and lends extra richness to marinade for portobello mushrooms or steak.

— MH and LP

Lightened up

Responsible alcohol consumption just got a lot easier with these flavourful new low-calorie no-alcohol options. Henkell Dealcoholized Sparkling ( LCBO 19251, $13.95) is made like a traditional wine, and then the alcohol is gently removed after fermentation. Expect delicate aromas of fresh pear and citrus with lively bubbles and only 38 calories per 5-oz glass. Pretty pink Spiritliss Hibiscus Non-Alcoholic Gin & Tonic ( LCBO 17435, 355 mL, $2.50) balances floral cherry notes with a coniferous gin bite: Garnish with fresh rosemary. There’s zero sugar or carbs and just 10 calories per can. — Tara Luxmore

Coster’s Prescription Blackstrap Ginger Bitters (thecraftybartender.com) Molasses and spicy ginger

shine in these made-in-Toronto craft bitters. Add a dash to a dark rum or whisky cocktail, or to season your favourite ginger ale or cola. A teaspoon or two goes well in baked beans, chili or a pulled-pork rub. — TL

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SUMMER 2021 FOOD & DRINK