With American alcohol stripped from the shelves, the LCBO has put together a list of Ontario and Canadian-made alternatives amid the ongoing trade war with the United States.
The LCBO’s new Eh List showcases over 3,000 Canadian spirits, beers, wines and more, and may be found on their website.
As the public increasingly looks to shop Canadian with on again, off again tariff threats from the U.S. government – which might also make you want a beverage or two – here are a few ways to craft your favourite cocktails with Canadian ingredients sourced from the Eh List.
Rum
Whether it’s in a mojito or a rum and coke, here are some Canadian rum offerings to stock your bar with:
- North of 7 Leatherback Rum
- Newfoundland Screech Rum
- Island Diaz Spiced Rum
- Dunrobin Cask Aged Rum
- Copperhead Spiced Rum
Whisky
Although Crown Royal, Canadian Club, and J.P. Wiser’s immediately come to mind in the crowded Canadian whisky market, here are a few more from the wide range of whiskies crafted on Canadian soil:
- Signal Hill Canadian Whisky, from Newfoundland
- Barnburner Whisky – aged in bourbon barrels, if you’re still looking for American flavour
- Collingwood Whisky
- Various offerings from Lot No. 40, from dark oak, copper pot still whiskies, and more
- Mantha Collection Smoked Maple Whisky
If making a cocktail like an old fashioned, Angostura Bitters (a product of Trinidad & Tobago) could be swapped out for the Ontario-based Dillon’s Orange Bitters, and simple syrup can easily be replaced by maple syrup.
Gin
While not as prevalent as the Canadian whisky market, there are a variety of Canadian gins to enjoy, some of which are as follows:
- Empress Elderflower Rose Gin, from B.C.
- Georgian Bay Distillery Series Gin
- Beattie’s Farm Crafted Potato Gin
- Ungava Gin
- Loop Lime and Ginger Gin, from Quebec
- Local Spirit Gin 7
- Junction 56 Distillery Gin
Vodka
Beyond Canadian classics like Iceberg Vodka, a number of craft distilleries are making vodka. The following are only a few from the Eh List:
- Beattie’s produces potato, blueberry & lemongrass, and a variety of other vodkas
- Wolfhead Distillery Grapefruit Vodka
- Willibald Farm Vodka
- True Theory Vodka
- Top Shelf Vodka
- Loon Vodka from the Rheault Distillery in Hearst
Beyond the major alcohol categories, liqueurs like Yukon Jack, Cabot Trail Maple Cream, or 40 Creek's Oh Canada Maple Liqueur can be substituted for international alternatives.
On the other hand, sourcing truly Canadian mix for your liquor (if you even need to do so these days) may prove more challenging. While a number of boutique companies produce, say, Canadian soda or tonic water, popular names like Canada Dry, while manufactured in Canada, are now American owned.