Twisted Shaker: The cocktail food pairings you NEED to know about

If your usual cheese and wine pairings are becoming a little stale then it might be time you learned about the foods that compliment your favourite cocktails instead.

Jeremy Allan, Brand Manager of Twisted Shaker Cocktails, has revealed it is important to choose flavours which complement your drink instead of those which compete with it.

‘You want a drink that naturally fits with the food, extends its principal flavours, and keeps your senses invigorated, anticipating the next bite or sip,’ he said.

Jeremy Allan, Brand Manager of Twisted Shaker Cocktails, has revealed it is important to choose flavours which complement your drink instead of those which compete with it

He suggested people try serving their next espresso martini alongside dessert - highlighting cheesecake and ice cream as perfect partners for the popular drink

He suggested people try serving their next espresso martini alongside dessert – highlighting cheesecake and ice cream as perfect partners for the popular drink

This could be something sweet and creamy like ice cream or cheesecake alongside your espresso martini, he explained.

The complimentary palate is much more pleasing than trying to pair a creamy drink with something like steak or pizza. 

Jeremy also revealed five cocktail and food pairings which are good to try at home.

Margarita

You are going to want a dish or appetiser that complements the lime flavours of the margarita. 

Guacamole and chips are an easy and simple match but if you have a bit more time, try raw kingfish ceviche. 

You are going to want a dish or appetiser that complements the lime flavours of the margarita

He said kingfish cerviche matched with the drink perfectly

You are going to want a dish or appetiser that complements the lime flavours of the margarita, he revealed offering kingfish cerviche as a great option

‘If you enjoy it, don’t be afraid to add a bit of chilli on top too, that always goes down a treat,’ he said.

Another option is anything grilled or barbequed. The sweet notes of a margarita balance the spice and salt; you can think of this combination with an ‘opposites attract’ mentality.

Cucumber Gin Gimlet

Instead of heading for the sake to sip with your sushi, you may want to consider mixing it up with a gin gimlet next time. 

Jeremy suggested a gin gimlet to be a good match with sushi

Jeremy suggested a gin gimlet to be a good match with sushi

The citrus notes of the lime juice, a touch of sugar, and the flavour of a good dry gin go really nice with all the salty, wasabi goodness of a sushi meal

The citrus notes of the lime juice, a touch of sugar, and the flavour of a good dry gin go really nice with all the salty, wasabi goodness of a sushi meal

Sushi with cucumber will enhance the flavours already present in the cucumber gimlet plus the cocktail will act as a palate cleanser in between bites. 

The citrus notes of the lime juice, a touch of sugar, and the flavour of a good dry gin go really nice with all the salty, wasabi goodness of a sushi meal.

Espresso Martini

Think about what you’d want with your morning coffee. A nutty biscotti or rich chocolate dessert is going to balance the bittersweet-ness of the coffee element. 

Try pouring it over vanilla ice cream (affogato al caffe style), pairing it with a classic cheesecake or simply with chocolate. 

‘Just remember, sweet flavours shut down the palate, so indulge in sweeter drinks at the end of the meal or evening, not the beginning, otherwise your brain will tell you to stop eating,’ Jeremy offered.

Whiskey based cocktails pair well with beef, particularly on the BBQ, Jeremy said

Whiskey based cocktails pair well with beef, particularly on the BBQ, Jeremy said

Old Fashioned

Whiskey based cocktails pair well with beef, particularly on the BBQ. If you are looking for a bit of extra flavour, try using a smoky BBQ rub on the beef before cooking, the subtle smoky flavours will round off the old fashioned nicely.

‘For something on the lighter side, try smoked salmon. The smoky flavour of the salmon gives the cocktail a spicy fruity taste, complementing each other really well.’

If you are looking for a bit of extra flavour, try using a smoky BBQ rub on the beef before cooking, he said

If you are looking for a bit of extra flavour, try using a smoky BBQ rub on the beef before cooking, he said

The cosmo lends itself well to a good old cheeseboard

Hard cheeses like aged cheddar and pecorino of softer cheeses like brie will go great with the fruity and floral flavours of the raspberry hibiscus cosmopolitan

Hard cheeses like aged cheddar and pecorino of softer cheeses like brie will go great with the fruity and floral flavours of the raspberry hibiscus cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan

The cosmo lends itself well to a good old cheeseboard. 

Go for a bit of flavour in your cheese but nothing too overpowering which means it is best to keep clear of blue cheese.

Hard cheeses like aged cheddar and pecorino of softer cheeses like brie will go great with the fruity and floral flavours of the raspberry hibiscus cosmopolitan.