Pairing Cocktails with Food
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It is becoming a popular dining-out trend to pair cocktails with your meal, rather than the traditional bottle of wine. Unlike wine, cocktails can be modified to your palate as well as designed to suit your specific meal. The following are some tips to follow when pairing cocktails with food.
1. Think About Flavors
What flavors and undertones are in your meal? Olive oil in a dish, or a dish centered around seafood, may take you in the direction of a lemon cocktail. Or the richness of a butter sauce may be well balanced by the sweet smoothness of vanilla. Also consider which condiments go well with which entrees and go from there. For example, cranberry and apple notes in a cocktail go well with turkey, chicken, and game birds.
2. Compare And Contrast
A cocktail is meant to compliment a dish. In some ways, this means being similar to the dish. Such is the case with barbeque-bourbon pairings. The smokiness of barbequed meat or charred vegetables of complimented by the smokey, woody flavors that occur naturally in bourbon. On the other hand, if you have a taste for spicy dishes, you may appreciate a cool, smooth cocktail to balance the spice. Can't take the heat? Try a refreshing mojito to soothe your taste buds between bites.
3. Go Herbal
Mint is one typical cocktail herb, found in drinks such as mojitos and mint juleps. It is a herb that is responsible for adding a fresh sweetness to these cocktails. But why stop at mint? A sprig of sage in your tequila can awaken the herbal aroma of chicken or fish. Rosemary in your gin? Orange peel in your vodka? Why not?
4. Avoid Competition
Be sure to avoid cocktails that will overpower the aromas and flavors of your meal. The stronger drinks pair better with the stronger entrees. Something as delicate as oysters on the rocks, for example, would be lost when paired with bourbon. Choose wisely! When in doubt, ask your server for cocktail pairing suggestions.
5. Stay Playful
It doesn't hurt to keep an open mind and approach your food and cocktail pairings with a playful attitude. Instead of a sweet, fruity cocktail with your chocolatey desert, try something dark, dry, and bittersweet. You may be surprised what new flavor profiles your cocktail can open up in your food.
Lowball / rocks glass
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<p>The Mint Julep is a classic Southern cocktail that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is believed to have originated in the late 1700s or early 1800s, with its roots traced back to Virginia.</p><p>The drink is traditionally made with fresh mint leaves, bourbon whiskey, and a touch of sugar. The mint leaves are commonly muddled in the bottom of a glass to release their aromatic oils and then combined with bourbon, creating a refreshing and slightly sweet flavor profile.</p><p>The Mint Julep is often served in a silver or pewter cup, filled with crushed ice, and garnished with a sprig of mint. This cocktail is a staple at the Kentucky Derby and is known for its ability to cool and refresh on a hot summer day.</p><p>With its simple yet delightful combination of ingredients, the Mint Julep remains a timeless and beloved drink by many.</p>
Ingredients
Method
How to make a Mint Julep
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- In the bottom of a lowball glass, muddle the mint leaves to release the oils from the leaves, with the sugar and the sugar syrup
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- Add the bourbon and fill the glass with crushed ice
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- Stir the drink and garnish with a sprig of mint, and serve
Highball glass
Microbadges
<p>The Mojito is a classic Cuban cocktail that has gained worldwide popularity for its refreshing qualities. It features a tantalizing mix of crisp lime juice, aromatic mint leaves, and the smoothness of white rum, all balanced with a touch of sugar for sweetness.</p><p>These ingredients are complemented by the effervescence of soda water, making the Mojito an invigorating and light beverage. Traditionally served in a highball glass, this cocktail offers a balance of citrus and herbal flavors with a cool, minty finish, making it particularly enjoyable on warm days or as an uplifting pre-dinner drink.</p>
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Ingredients
Method
How to make a Mojito
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- In the bottom of a highball glass, muddle the mint leaves with the sugar and lime juice to release the oils from the mint leaves
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- Next add a splash of soda water and fill up the glass with crushed ice
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- Add the rum, top up with the soda water and give it a stir
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- Garnish with a sprig of mint and a slice of lime and serve
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