LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2024

COCKTAIL OF THE SUMMER

“Summer’s ‘it’ drink is a simple, fresh and lightly spicy blanco tequila cocktail: think of it as this year’s Spicy Margarita. It follows the so-called complex heat trend, which is all about balancing spice with other flavour elements, like salt, sweetness and acidity. Between its bright citrus, subtle fizz and sweet heat on the finish, this cocktail truly has it all.” —Christine Sismondo, cocktail writer PALOMA PICANTE

PAIR Serve the Paloma Picante (p. 121) with

food that has the same intriguing mix of complex heat, like our Aguachile Shrimp Cocktail or Potato & Chorizo Salad . Find recipes at LCBO.com/fdsummer24.

TRY Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Platino ( LCBO 11845, $109.90 ) is an sweet cooked agave flavour, light vanilla and a little pepper. From a company founded by a Canadian and Mexican couple, Siempre Tequila Plata ( LCBO 19924, $65.95 ) is bright and crisp, making it ideal for mixing or sipping. impressive, full-bodied spirit, rich in

MORE TRENDING SUMMER COCKTAILS

If the Paloma Picante is the descendant of the Spicy Margarita, then it follows that the Oyster Martini (the Dirty Martini with a seaside, snacky spin) and the El Vice Presidente (our low-alc riff on the El Presidente) have also earned spots in this year’s Cocktails of the Summer family. Find recipes on p. 121.

SERVE Adding a spicy summer twist to making classics like the Paloma (a tequila and grapefruit soda highball) is as simple as using fresh juice and a homemade jalapeño syrup (p. 121). Adventurous home bartenders could use a mezcal/tequila split for the spirit measure, add a glass rim of salt or spicy-sweet Tajín, or even blend each drink with a handful of ice to make a slushy version.

90 FOOD & DRINK SUMMER 2024