Pairings Cocktails & Spirits
Cocktails & Spirits
Cocktails & Spirits for charcuterie boards
The best cocktails for a charcuterie board are a dry martini, Aperol spritz, Negroni, old fashioned and gin and tonic. Bitter and citrusy drinks cut fat; brown spirits match aged cheese and smoky meat.
Cocktails are stronger than wine, so pair by flavor and keep pours small. Bitter aperitifs and citrusy drinks are the easiest; save brown spirits for the aged cheese and chocolate.
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Dry martini
Cold, dry and briny. Olives are the garnish for a reason; salty almonds and Parmigiano stay in the same lane.
Castelvetrano Olives · Manzanilla Olives · Marcona Almonds · Parmigiano-Reggiano · Smoked Salmon
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Aperol spritz
Bitter orange and bubbles: Italy's aperitivo drink with Italy's aperitivo board.
Prosciutto di Parma · Mortadella · Fresh Mozzarella · Castelvetrano Olives · Grissini
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Negroni
Bitter, sweet and strong, it needs salty, savory Italian bites.
Parmigiano-Reggiano · Finocchiona · Kalamata Olives · Blood Oranges · Taralli
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Old fashioned (bourbon or rye)
Caramel, vanilla and oak meet sharp cheese, smoke and sweet nuts.
Aged Cheddar · Smoked Gouda · Country Ham · Candied Pecans · Dark Chocolate
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Gin and tonic
Botanical and bitter-bright; it treats briny and fresh foods like a crisp white would.
Smoked Trout · Dill Pickles · Fresh Chèvre · Cornichons · Pistachios
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Margarita / tequila
Lime and agave cut spicy, salty Mexican flavors.
Cotija · Chorizo · Pepper Jack · Mango · Pickled Jalapeños
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Scotch (neat or with a splash)
Smoke and malt with Britain's big cheeses. Smoky Islay whisky loves smoked salmon.
Aged Cheddar · Stilton · Oatcakes · Smoked Salmon · Dark Chocolate
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Sherry (fino or amontillado)
Dry, nutty and salty: the tapas-bar drink with tapas-bar food.
Manchego · Jamón Ibérico · Marcona Almonds · Manzanilla Olives · Boquerones
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Please drink responsibly. Looking for alcohol-free options? See zero-proof pairings.
Questions
What cocktail goes with a charcuterie board?
An Aperol spritz or dry martini for most boards; an old fashioned for aged cheese and smoked meat.
What liquor goes with cheese?
Bourbon and Scotch with aged cheddar and blue; dry sherry with Manchego; gin with fresh goat cheese.
How strong should board cocktails be?
Lighter than usual. Spritzes and highballs keep the palate fresh across a long board.
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