April spirits

April spirits BY TOM FIRTH AND LINDA GARSON

t’s spring—need we say more? We’d suggest celebrating by getting down to your nearest liquor store and indulging in a new crop of flavourful gins for sipping neat or for making your next new favourite cocktail! I

Collective Arts Plum and Blackthorn Gin, Canada With an ever-so-delicate hue, this gin is a pretty one from start to finish. Great aromatics with a delicate edge perhaps from the plum fruits with plenty of pepper, while the palate is refreshingly not too overpowering—yet still decidedly ginlike. A limited release for a limited time, this does rock a gin & tonic with style (Collective Arts recommends it with plum slices and a cinnamon stick) and looks great on the back bar. CSPC +825106 $52–55

No. 3 London Dry Gin, Berry Bros & Rudd, England The quintessential British gin, and awarded World’s Best Gin four times, everything about this gin exudes quality. You’re greeted with sweet grapefruit and orange peels followed by aromatic coriander, cardamom, and juniper for a beautifully balanced and spicy sip—and put away your tonic; No. 3 is a wonderful martini gin and doesn’t need anything added to make it the most enjoyable sipper. CSPC +741108 Around $55–$60

Kokoro Gin Yuzu and Ginger Liqueur Forest Spirits, Great Britain It was a delight to open this gin, with its wooden and cork stopper and delicate lemon colour, and charming and appealing label—who would have guessed it was actually English and distilled in London in the traditional London Dry method, with the addition of fresh sansho berries from the Nagano prefecture in Japan. At 20 percent ABV, this is a lovely and flavourful drink that could be the base to any number of cocktails. CSPC + 823841 500 mL $38 Kokoro Gin, Cherry Blossom Liqueur Forest Spirits, Great Britain Sniff it; just sniff it and you’ll be transported to Japan just in time for the famous cherry blossom season that happens in April! It’s pretty and pink, just as you’d hope, with a sweet smelling nose that is definitely cherry but almost with a hint of almond like a Bakewell tart. 10 percent of the sale of every bottle of these gin liqueurs goes to help preserve the forests, which are close to the founders of Kokoro Gin, the Darnell family’s, hearts. CPSC +823842 500 mL $38

Luxardo Sour Cherry Gin, Italy Proudly made in Italy (and boy, do they need all the help we can give right now!) this gin is infused with marasca cherries from Luxardo’s orchards, for which they are rightly famous. At only 199 years old, Luxardo are better known for their maraschino liqueurs, sambuca and amaretto, but add this to your list of faves, and add tonic or make into a Cherry Martinez with the addition of sweet vermouth, Luxardo maraschino and a dash of bitters. CSPC +801015 Around $37–$41

REGISTER NOW FOR THE 6TH ANNUAL Culinaire Calgary Treasure Hunt!

Saturday, April 25

We’ve planned some new and exciting destinations to discover, and new treats to enjoy!

Answer the clues to reveal the 30 participating restaurants, markets, and stores, where you’ll receive a treat and get your passport stamped.

There are fabulous prizes for the most locations visited, best costumes, funniest team names, funniest photos on social media and lots more!

It’s another very fun and rewarding day, so grab a partner and sign up as a team of two, or sign up solo at culinairemagazine.ca/treasure-hunt.

For news and updates follow:

/CulinaireMagazine

@culinairemag

@culinairemag

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Alberta Grass YAK

• FREE RANGE • GRASS FED • NO FED ANTIBIOTICS • NO ADDED HORMONES Source of Protein Low in Fat A Nutritious Choice that could Lower Your Carbon Footprint

Fleet Country Farms Ltd. Castor, Alberta 403-882-4324 For Details, Including Store Locations Visit: www.fl eetyak.com Available at Select Calgary Co-op Stores OR at the farm