Chocolate Pairing Perfection: A Guide to Matching Chocolates with Wines and Spirits

Milk chocolate

For the plainest of chocolate, paired with a nip of rum (kept at room temperature) is a wonderful way to indulge in the decadent flavours of both products. Milk chocolate can also be paired with a refreshing spiced mojito, with the zip and zing of the rum, mint and lime enhancing the rounder notes from the chocolate. Finally, Kahlua on ice or even an Espresso Martini are a great way to enjoy milk chocolate.

 Nutty chocolate

We recommend drinking Bourbon straight with those nutty chocolates, so you get the full experience of liquid gold burning down your throat with the soothing melted chocolate that follows shortly after. Some whiskies have scents and flavours of walnut or almond that can pair wonderfully with a smooth or nutty based chocolate. If you’re looking for a cocktail that involves all the flavours of that same combination, you can’t go past an Old Fashioned, particularly when garnished with orange rind to really provide a full flavour profile.

 Fruity chocolate

Mezcal is often paired with citrus fruits to bring out the tangy flavours of the fruit and the smokiness of the drinks. Either try mezcal on ice with a citrus-flavoured chocolate or even try incorporating chocolate bitters, orange liqueur and mezcal to make a delicious cocktail, the Oaxacan Old Fashioned.

 White Chocolate

If your wanting the perfect spirit to pair with white chocolate, look no further than gin – on the rocks, a classic gin and tonic or even a shiraz infused variety will really punctuate the flavours. However, if you’re adventurous and like to try new flavour combos, give a fruit-forward gin such as a grapefruit or strawberry-infused gin a chance and pair it with white chocolate. If you’re wanting to make a cocktail that no one will forget, pair white chocolate liqueur with passionfruit, vodka or gin and shake to make a sweet but perfectly balanced Passionfruit Martini.

 Chocolates with floral essence

Chocolates featuring floral extracts or dried petals pair well with a variety or spirits including gin and cognac. If you’re looking for a standout cocktail to pair with it; go for the more refreshing options such as a classic mojito or margarita.

Wines and chocolate

Dark chocolate is fantastic pairing for red wines, especially if its salty, they complement your heavy bodied red wines like a classic cabernet sauvignon or merlot. These wines also pair well with a nutty chocolate such as a dark chocolate infused with almonds.

For our lovely white wine drinkers, choose a light floral flavoured chocolate or citrus infused chocolate to pair with a dry wine like your rosé or sauvignon blanc.

For those with who prefer a wine less dry or a sparkling wine, opt for the sweeter option, like white chocolate.

So, if you feel like taking your tastebuds on an adventure but don’t want to travel far from home, give these pairings a go and maybe even experiment further with more exotic flavours and alcohol.