Free Sushi Electric Blue Raspberry (Canada) - Review

With the news that Ready-To-Drink (RTD) beverages are now available at grocery stores across Ontario, tonight's RTD review is something I've had in my possession for some time now and never got around to opening. While it is long sold-out at the LCBO, this RTD may be coming to shelves at your local grocery store in the near future.

Free sushi was created by the founders with one goal in mind - to give back to the oceans. The founders love to snorkel and noticed the impact that pollution has had on ocean wildlife and dedicated free sushi to reduce its environmental impact. To help reduce its impact, free sushi is produced locally in Ontario, which reduces the environmental impact of shipping, while also promoting local jobs. Furthermore, a minimum of 5% of free sushi proceeds are donated to ocean charities, which help preserve clean oceans and their wildlife, and is a more direct way to give back to the oceans that they love to explore.

With free sushi, gone are the times of flavourless vodka water. According to the founders, each can of free sushi has the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavours that leave you wanting more. There are two flavours which are reminiscent of popular candy you enjoyed while growing up to give you a nostalgic feeling. Electric Blue Raspberry is the original, while Sour Watermelon is coming soon, and both are crafted with low carbonation for an elevated drinking experience. Let's see how this free sushi Electric Blue Raspberry ready-to-drink cocktail is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FREE SUSHI ELECTRIC BLUE RASPBERRY - Canada (#31307) - $2.95
Pretty, electric blue colour. Reminds me of blue freezies on the nose. On the refreshing, carbonated palate, this delicious Vodka-based cocktail has slightly sweet blueberry, raspberry, and citrus flavours, along with a weighty and very crisp mouthfeel. It's gently tart on the mid-palate, while the finish is quite savoury and stony, with good length.

While free sushi products aren't currently available at the LCBO, they may be available at grocery stores or through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

p.s. And no, free sushi does not contain any fish. :)

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Southside Fizz by Aloette (Ontario) - Cocktail Review

Tonight's cocktail review is a delicious, brand new, ready-to-drink cocktail that just arrived at the LCBO. It is produced locally in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is widely available across the province now.

Southside Fizz by Aloette is a mojito-esque twist on the classic Southside cocktail where London Dry Gin (plus Vodka according to the ingredients) is mixed with lime juice, muddled mint, and a hint of fresh cucumber to create a cool and refreshing carbonated cocktail that is light and citrusy on the palate, and enjoyed chilled or over ice.

It was created by Aloette, a neighbourhood bistro located in downtown Toronto and imagined by Alo Food Group. At Aloette, they take pride in using only the finest ingredients to create the perfectly crafted cocktail. Let's see how this new Southside Fizz cocktail by Aloette is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SOUTHSIDE FIZZ BY ALOETTE - Ontario, Canada (#31248) (355 mL) - $2.95
It smells very fresh with hints of cucumber, lime, and mint, all of which is echoed on the very fresh and flavourful palate, joined by some savoury London Dry Gin notes on the finish. It's not very sweet, while the carbonated bubbles add to the overall freshness. Chill and enjoy! Perfect for sipping on hot summer days and a recommended buy!

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Cabana Coast Dirty Shirley (Canada) - Cocktail Review

Tonight's cocktail review is a delicious, ready-to-drink, hard cocktail that was launched just a few weeks ago and is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

It is produced by Cabana Coast Cocktails right here in Canada and they are one of a number of brands that are part of Ace Beverage Group. Cabana Coast Cocktails produces a few hard cocktails, including the Original Mule, and the Dirty Shirley is their newest creation!

The Cabana Coast Dirty Shirley is an adult take on a nostalgic, sweet, and classic beverage that many of us know from the good old days. The Cabana Coast Dirty Shirley is the Shirley Temple flavour you love that is infused with premium vodka to create a tasty, alcoholic twist on an all-time nostalgic drink. Let's get dirty and see how Dirty Shirley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CABANA COAST DIRTY SHIRLEY - Ontario, Canada (#31253) (473 mL) - $3.15
Small-batch crafted, it has delicious maraschino cherry, currant, and grenadine flavours with a touch of citrus in a fresh, carbonated style with bright bubbles. It's smooth and refreshing, while citrusy, cherry, and vodka notes linger on the crisp finish, with very good length. A delicious, recommended buy suitable for year-round sipping!

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Zirkova One and Together Ultra Premium Vodka (Ukraine) - Spirit Reviews

For tonight's reviews, I bring you a pair of lovely vodkas from Ukraine that are widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

The Zirkova Vodka brand was founded by Canadians headquartered in Ontario and is authentically made in the Ukraine at the original factory that Tsar Nicholas II began distilling vodka in the 1800s. While this vodka is made with wheat and rye, it is certified by the LCBO as gluten-free.

After extensive testing, gluten was not detected in Zirkova Vodkas, with results detecting less than 5PPM - the standard for gluten-free certifications is less than 20PPM. This means that those who are celiac or gluten-intolerant can safely enjoy Zirkova Vodka. It was important for Zirkova's Director of Marketing to get this proof as she has Celiac. Proudly formulated and distilled to be all-inclusive, accessible and welcoming to everyone, Zirkova Vodka is also vegan, plant-based, and keto-friendly.

Zirkova has handcrafted in small batches these two vodkas for your pleasure - the Zirkova One was designed to be sipped neat, on the rocks, or in a martini, while the Zirkova Together was crafted to enhance and elevate your favourite cocktail. Zirkova One and Together are both quadruple distilled and centre cut from the finest Ukrainian rye and wheat spirits, blended with pure artisan water, then slow-filtered through massive columns of birch charcoal and quartz. Although both of these lovely vodkas are not considered flavoured vodkas, there are some subtleties worth nothing, and both are worth a try as they are very good quality. Budmo!

Tasting Notes:

ZIRKOVA ONE ULTRA PREMIUM VODKA - Ukraine (#638197) (750 mL) - $30.95 $28.95 until Nov. 8.
Aromas of almond, hay, earth, and mineral elegantly rise out of the glass. The mouthfeel is quite smooth and velvety. Some warmth as it glides down your throat, but nicely balanced overall with a tinge of citrus joining the aroma replays on the smooth, long finish. Very nice!

ZIRKOVA TOGETHER ULTRA PREMIUM VODKA - Ukraine (#638205) (750 mL) - $30.95
Subtle aromas of anise, hay, earth, and spice which follow through on the spicy palate. Although this is not a flavoured vodka, it is quite flavourful with some enticing anise and cucumber notes also coming through on the mid-palate. It is rounded and plump with hints of sweet vanilla and almond on the finish, with very good length. Recommended in cocktails, but I would also enjoy this on its own after dinner.

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TAG No.5 VODKA

TAG No.5 VODKA is produced by Maverick Distillery, locally in Oakville, Ontario. They are also the maker of CHANTILLY French Cream liqueur that I tasted recently.

Maverick Distillery was launched in 2009 as an innovative Canadian distillery with a mission to deliver remarkable spirits at a reasonable price, with an eye towards environmental consciousness.

As part of their commitment to helping the environment, TAG weighs half as much as other brands and is made up of 70% recycled glass. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art process continuous distillation process uses 150% less energy than traditional pot stills.

Tasting Note:

TAG No.5 VODKA - Ontario, Canada (#149567 / #315986) (750 mL / 1.14 L) - $26.35 / $39.15
Quadruple distilled and slowly filter-polished five times through Canadian white birch charcoal. This vodka is made using premium non-GMO sweet corn and has a smoky note with a hint of citrus that follows through on the full-bodied, creamy palate. It is very smooth and finishes long and clean with a slight bitter note.

Both sizes of TAG No.5 VODKA are currently on promotion at the LCBO until early January, 2016.

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