LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2023

ENTERTAINING

Whatever the flavour profile—bitter, fruity, tropical or savoury— a big batch of drinks prepared before guests arrive is a winning tactic for hosts. The payoff? Less work, more time to socialize and never breaking a sweat. Pitcher This

BY CHARLENE ROOKE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES TSE

Visit LCBO.com/ fdcocktail to watch this drink being made.

BITTER

Mint Julep Tea Punch P. 158 Though it’s strongly associated with hot Southern days and, particularly, the running of the Kentucky Derby, the bourbon-­ forward Mint Julep cocktail actually traces back to the Arab world, where a cooling elixir was originally made with rose petals. We’ve lengthened the drink with tea for lightly astrin gent tannins, and brightened and naturally sweetened it with juice and seasonal Ontario fruit. This lighter sipper for Canadian summer is, naturally, spiked with a little Canadian whisky! Keep it authentic to the original Julep by serving it over crushed ice, gar nished with aromatic mint leaves. PERFECT PAIRING Serve this mouth-watering drink alongside summery dishes with barbecue sauce (such as ribs, chicken, burgers or even shrimp).

FOOD STYLING BY MICHAEL ELLIOTT; PROP STYLING BY SHELLY SHNIER

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