If you have ever felt bored from all the basic parties where you serve your guests beer, wine, and maybe one more alcoholic beverage, there are many ways you can spice up each event. Have you ever thought about cocktails? It is an interesting option your guests will love and surely everyone will find a cocktail they like. Since every party has some food involved as well, here are some interesting pairings of appetizers, main courses and even dessert and cocktails you can try.
Mix according to some ingredients
One of the most inspiring cuisines is certainly Mexican. Spicy, flavorful, and strong, it goes great with some of their signature cocktails that are popular all over the world. You have probably tried most of them, but here are examples of how to pair the two. Since margarita on the rocks has a bit of lime juice in it, any food that has lime as well will go great with it.
Attending a bartending school provides a comprehensive education beyond drink mixing, covering the art and science of pairing spirits and flavors. Instructors with industry experience guide students in understanding the characteristics of different alcohols and the principles of mixology. You’ll gain confidence to create balanced cocktails, adapt to industry trends, and succeed in various bartending settings.The key to pairing food with cocktails is to complement the tastes by combining some of the ingredients, but not match the whole drink with the dish. This is why your best bet is to hire cocktail experts like the professionals in mixology from NYC who know exactly which tastes go well together. Salads with sour dressings, like Santa Fe chopped salad, shrimp ceviche, or carne asada, are some of the dishes you can try. Margarita is a good match since it has tequila, lime juice, triple sec, liquor, a lot of crushed ice and salt on the rim, which adds to the interesting flavor. But be careful not to over-salt the food.
Italian appetizer inspiration
If you are looking for a perfect appetizer, what is better than a plate of cheese with some olives, assorted meat and bruschetta? Parmesan, Pecorino, or Fontina cheese are what you can use. Prosciutto, Italian sausage and smoked turkey breast should be on the platter as well. As for the bruschetta, tomato and basil or garlic and pepper are some of the most common and delicious options. And since this is a typical Italian appetizer, why not try a typical Italian drink?
A Negroni is an aperitif drink which is simply perfect for this. It is made from gin, vermouth Rosso and Campari. It’s garnished with orange peel which perfectly complements the bitter-sweet taste of Campari and vermouth. Another popular Italian aperitif drink is Aperol Spritz, made from prosecco, aperol and soda, which is refreshing and light enough to go with this type of appetizer.
To add to these choices, the classic Martini, consisting of gin and dry vermouth, stands out for its simplicity and versatility. Garnished with lemon or olive, the Martini’s botanical notes make it an ideal companion for a variety of appetizers, offering a sophisticated and balanced aperitif experience.
Classy and classic
It is a well-known fact that whiskey goes great with coke or tonic. So, why not pair the two in a mini glass or coke bottle. You can mix Jack Daniels with coke, or Johnnie Walker with tonic, and a lot of ice. It is a refreshing cocktail that has a strong, rich, and unique taste, and it is definitely one of the reasons why you should try pairing cocktails with food. You can try this with a chicken burrito, which will be an amazing combination of tastes that complement each other so well.
Another interesting pairing, for all of your guests who love spicy food, is roast pork with a dressing made from smoked cheddar, cilantro and jalapeño sauce. The strong tastes from the cocktail and food in this pairing go so well together. And it is a fun option because you get to be really creative with the decoration and serving, and it is a perfect combination for all your guests who enjoy whiskey.
Additionally, grilled lamb chops pair perfectly with a minty Mojito, where the refreshing mint and lime enhance the savory lamb taste. The light and citrusy Mojito provides a harmonious contrast to the richness of the lamb, creating a well-balanced combination.
Fish menu and cocktails
Many people love fish, and they don’t miss a chance to eat it. A great choice for any event you are hosting is sushi. It is elegant, versatile, tasty, and can be served in perfect little sizes so that everything stays neat. There are many interesting ways to pair sushi with cocktails, and here is the one you can’t go wrong with. One of the light options can be Hendricks gin and tonic served with cucumber, which gives it an additional fresh taste. It is light enough so it won’t affect your palate and you will be able to taste the sushi properly. Gin pairs nicely with tuna, salmon or even clams, so pick sushi that has this fish.
Oysters are one more interesting option you can try, and they go great with the same cocktail. But besides this, a salty oyster goes great with a Hemingway Daiquiri, which is a bit sweet and creates a rich flavor. A shrimp dish goes great with a Bloody Mary because it can tone down the very rich, spicy taste of the cocktail.
Pairings for those with a sweet tooth
If you choose to pair cocktails with your menu, don’t forget to do the same when it comes to dessert. Many delicious cocktails complement the classic desserts you can serve, such as chocolate souffle, fruit cake, or a creamy cake. Chocolate souffle goes great with cherries, raspberries, and ice cream, so a fruity, icy cocktail is a perfect option. A cosmopolitan made from vodka, triple sec, lime juice and cranberry juice, for example, is a good option, and it even fits into the whole decoration of the dessert.
Another tasty option can be Gordon’s Pink gin served with tonic and garnished with strawberries, which is a perfect drink for a fruit cake, for example. You can serve a rich, chocolate, or soft creamy cake with an espresso martini, which has vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso coffee, and it fits perfectly.
To create successful cocktail and food pairings, achieving a harmonious balance and complementing flavors is essential. Key principles involve choosing between complementary or contrasting approaches, matching intensity, considering the base spirit, exploring regional pairings, and factoring in texture, acidity, and sweetness. Ultimately, ensuring cohesion across the entire dining experience and accommodating individual preferences adds a personalized touch.
Although some may think that cocktail and food pairings are a bit unusual, hopefully, this list shows how you can successfully combine food and drinks. The whole point is to enjoy the variety of flavors that complement each other so well and create a rich harmony of taste. So, if you want to make sure you are trying the real thing, don’t hesitate to hire mixologist, and just relax and enjoy with your guests.
