LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2021

KINDRED SPIRITS

SoCial LITE

The trio of co-founders behind SoCIAL LITE bet their life savings on launching North America’s first non-sweetened premixed vodka and soda. Neetu Godara and her partners, Kevin Folk (left) and Dan Beach (friends of her brother), were fans of the cocktail because they felt it was re- freshing, light and suited to their active lifestyles. But there wasn’t a ready-to-sip option—a disap- pointment when they all followed their passion for camping in Ontario and didn’t want to lug bottles and mixers with them. That need forged a quest to create the perfect vodka and soda. The three set out to come up with a recipe without artificial colours or flavours, sugar or carbs. A year of experimenting later, their inaugural cocktail in a can reached shelves in the fall of 2014. New products and flavours have been rolling out ever since. Mixed results Godara and her partners gathered in their kitchens and spent countless nights and weekends mixing and sampling dozens of vodkas and sodas to find a combination they’d enjoy themselves.

“So much love, time and blood, sweat and tears go into crafting each one of these recipes.You want to get it right.”

Cocktails with no mixing make the summer hot list. Discover more at lcbo.com/fdhotlist

SoCIAL LITE Orchard Apple Vodka Soda LCBO 19104, 4 pk, $9.95 This brand new flavour addition delivers plenty of crisp, tart green apple flavour, with a subtle note of pear for a sweet finish. Enjoy it this summer with a keto-friendly chicken salad. SoCIAL LITE Lime Ginger Vodka Soda LCBO 450445, 4 pk, $9.95 This zippy flavour combo now has more lime kick in response to fan feedback. Pour it in a copper Moscow Mule mug with a slice of fresh ginger and stir in a bit of honey. Enjoy with campfire-roasted corn. SoCIAL LITE Mango Lemonade Vodka Soda LCBO 19115, 473 mL, $2.95 Godara describes this new spiked lemonade as “summer in a can,” thanks to tropical mango and lemon flavours. Make it a frosty drink by blending it with frozen mango chunks. Pair with a black bean burger.

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SUMMER 2021 FOOD & DRINK