LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2023

COCKTAIL REWIND

The Birth of Flair Bartenders took it up a notch in the 1980s—maybe even two notches. There was an irreverent “anything goes” attitude in the air as bartenders took inspiration from tropical blender drinks and old-timey soda fountains, then remixed these styles into dozens of popular new cocktails, each with its own cheeky name. And they started delivering up these novel drinks with a little personal flair (such as juggling mixing tins and throwing ribbons of liquid), a trend that would eventually inspire the 1988 film Cocktail , starring Tom Cruise as a world famous “flairtender.”

FUN FACT Invented by bartender Robert “Rosebud” Butt, the potent Long Island Iced Tea cocktail became a flair favourite, since bartenders loved showing off by pouring all five spirits into the glass at once. Don’t try that trick at home, though: it takes a lot of practice, and big, strong hands!

MAI TAI TEA

TIP Orgeat, an almond syrup used to give a bit of creamy texture and flavour to drinks (orge is French for barley, one of the original ingredients), is available at cocktail supply shops such as The Crafty Bartender (thecraftybartender.com). Were you a fan of the Fuzzy Navel? Check out our modern twist (the Fluffy Navel) at LCBO.com/fdsummer23

Thanks to the crushed ice, bright and fresh flavoured spirits and the addition of orgeat (an almond syrup), this recipe puts a vintage-tiki spin on the mod ern classic Long Island Iced Tea. Crushed ice 1/2 oz Hendrick’s Flora Adora gin (LCBO 30716, $65.20)

2. Add Flora Adora, Ciroc Summer Citrus, blanco tequila, citrus juice and orgeat to an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake for 60 seconds. Strain over crushed ice. Top with cola. Pack a little more ice on top so it forms a little mound over the mix. Garnish with an edible flower. Makes 1 drink

1/2 oz Ciroc Summer Citrus (LCBO 19517, $51) 1/2 oz blanco tequila 3/4 oz fresh-squeezed lemon lime juice (half and half) 1/4 oz orgeat syrup (see TIP) 2 1/2 oz cola 1 edible flower for garnish 1. Pack a brandy snifter with crushed ice.

64 FOOD & DRINK SUMMER 2023