Non-Alcoholic Drink and Cheese Pairings Everyone Can Enjoy

Wine and cheese are a classic pairing for a happy hour or a fancy night out, but if you’re not a drinker, don’t feel like you have to give up the cheese. There are many cheeses that pair well with mocktails, sodas, juices and other non-alcoholic drinks for those who don’t want to drink them.

Daily Meal spoke with Cody Goldstein, founder and creative director at Muddling Memories, who provided some exclusive insight into non-alcoholic alternatives to pair with cheese. He explained that different types of cheese go well with different drinks. “One of my favorite foods is apples and blue cheese, so naturally an apple juice, or better yet, an apple cider, would be the best way to pair blue cheese with a drink,” she explains. -he. However, there are really no limits. It offers pairing options for everything from juices to coffee and other drinks.

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How to Pair Cheese with Non-Alcoholic Drinks

One rule for creating cheese pairings is to balance flavors. Cody Goldstein likes to pair apple juice with blue cheese, allowing the strong flavors of the cheese to be mellowed by the sweetness of the apple. Additionally, the fruit helps cleanse the palate. This can work especially well against stronger or creamier varieties, like Roquefort cheese. If you find apple juice too sweet, Goldstein also suggests a quick solution to highlight the tarter flavors of apples: “To take it a step further, you can add a little sparkling water to your apple drink to reduce the sweetness and let the cheese really shine with the tartness of the apple.

Moving away from the deep flavor of blue cheese, if it’s a strong cheese, like cheddar, Goldstein suggests pairing it with pineapple juice. “You need a bold flavor to maintain the tang of the cheese, and the brightness of the pineapple really lends itself to the marriage of the two flavors,” he says. Other options that have a similar, bright, sweet flavor mixed with acidity include apricots and oranges. Or, Goldstein suggests trying non-alcoholic beers, noting, “The yeast and malt really accentuate the flavors of the cheese.” A non-alcoholic malt soda, such as Malta Goya or hop water can also introduce some cheese beer complements.

How Cheese Fat Content Affects Pairing Choices

Besides tasting notes, fat content can also impact how different drinks pair with different cheeses. Cody Goldstein notes, “A nice, creamy cheese goes really well with coffee. The richness is offset by the acidic coffee, and the robust flavors of the beans seem to pair really well with the high fat content of the cheeses. » The fatter the cheese, the richer its flavor tends to be. Pairing your cheese with something bitter, like coffee, can help balance those creamy, fatty flavors and prevent the cheese from sticking to your palate.

“In particular, a good espresso pairs very well with funky-style cheese,” notes Goldstein. Espresso has an even more concentrated flavor, so it might work well with a cheese that’s both ripe and creamy, like Camembert. Or, you can play around with something like simple sparkling water. The effervescence of the drink can also help cleanse the palate and cut through rich, fatty, strong-flavored cheeses, much like champagne can do in a more traditional wine and cheese pairing.

Finally, don’t forget to balance your cheeses and drinks with a little crunch! “A good cracker will also be crucial for the ultimate bite and sip,” notes Goldstein. This creates a balance of texture, fat and flavor that leads to a winning combo, even if you neglect the alcohol.

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.