LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2022

INSIDE SCOOP

Trendspotting A roundup of what we’re into this season.

Flower Power Dried hibiscus flowers have long been a beverage booster in the Caribbean, where it’s called sorrel. The beloved bloom is now all the rage here, adding its tart cranberry flavours and crimson hue to a wide range of drinks from beer, to cider, to ready-to-drink cocktails. Here are three of our favourites, but keep your eyes out for many more.

I SCREAM

If you’re looking to whip up frozen treats at home, but don’t have the budget (or room) for a premium ice-cream maker, the Ninja CREAMi is an excellent option. Instead of churning a liquid base, you freeze your mixture for 24 hours, then sharp blades and a powerful motor transform it into smooth ice cream, gelato or sorbet. It only makes one pint at a time, but it comes with three 16-oz containers, so you can stock up to feed the whole family. There are additional settings for milkshakes and smoothie bowls, and all the parts are dishwasher-safe.

Eden Grove Hibiscus Blossom Cider LCBO 15492, 473 mL, $3.55

The Big Chill

Attention amateur mixologists: there’s a new trick for pre-mixing drinks that you’re going to want to know. By batching, diluting and freezing spirit forward cocktails, you can pour them directly from bottle to glass. It works for all the stirred classics like Old Fashioneds and Manhattans, and it’s especially good for a bracingly cold Martini. Not only is it a breeze to serve to a crowd, but it’s also a great way to control dilution—about 1/4 oz water for every 1 oz mix—and save on ice. Try it out for yourself with our Freezer Negroni (page 171).

Bench Brewing Sun Daze Rosé LCBO 25094, 473 mL, $3.65

Well Hibiscus Infused Lemonade LCBO 14918, 355 mL, $2.95

Ninja CREAMi $250, ninjakitchen.ca

Salt Bae When picnicking or camping, keep this tiny tin of flaky Canadian sea salt in your back pocket—literally! A little sprinkle will elevate everything from salads to s’mores.

THE LAST STRAW If reusable straws aren’t an option, the latest sustainable choice is made from wheat stems.

Unlike paper, hay straws can go for hours without getting soggy, and they come in packs of 500, so you’ll never run out.

Vancouver Island Sea Salt Flake Sea Salt Tin $4.95/10 g, canadianseasalt.com

Hay Straws $36/500, cocktailemporium.com

42 FOOD & DRINK SUMMER 2022