Boozy Pairings for your Easter Candy!
Got a sweet tooth? Don’t worry, we do too!
Even if you aren’t typically the type to indulge in candy and treats, staying away from Easter candy is almost impossible. Who can resist marshmallow peeps and all that chocolate? So, if you’re going to indulge, take your candy experience to the next level and pair it with a spirit or glass of wine that compliments it perfectly. Plus, the candy is going to go stale if no one eats it, so why not?
Before we get to the good stuff, a few housekeeping notes:
We don’t recommend pairing chocolate with cocktails. While a good fruity drink is always delish, the flavor combinations in the cocktail, plus the flavors in the chocolate tend to clash. If you happen to know a good chocolate and cocktail combo, drop it in the comments and we’ll be happy to test it out!
You’re not going to want to chill your spirit before you pair it with chocolate. Cold drinks tend to mute the flavor of the chocolate, and take away that melt in your mouth effect, that we all love so much!
Ready to dig into the sweets yet? If not, you will be in just a minute!
White Chocolate
Tequila or Gin tend to be heavier on floral notes, which makes either spirit the perfect complement to rich white chocolate. By selecting chocolate that doesn’t include cocoa solids, you won’t lose the taste of the chocolate or the spirit. If you’re a tequila fan, we recommend sticking to a Tequila Blanco.
Pair it with our faves:
Milk Chocolate
If you’re a lover of rum, we recommend you try it out with milk chocolate. The higher quality the chocolate, the better your experience is going to be – but don’t worry, any plain milk chocolate you find in an Easter basket will do! A nice aged rum highlights flavors of caramel and butterscotch, which are also found in milk chocolate, making them the perfect duo!
Pair it with our faves:
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is traditionally supposed to be the healthy chocolate, so why not pair it with healthy wine? They say a nice glass of red wine is good for your health; we’re not sure who “they” are, but we like the way “they” think. There’s nothing better than dark chocolate with a bold red wine. Our favorite pairing with dark chocolate is Cabernet Sauvignon or Red Zinfandel, both wines highlight flavors of chocolate already, making the pairing a natural. If you’re a port drinker, you might also pair a nice piece of dark chocolate with a glass of port – a combo that will leave you ready for a refill and another piece.
Pair it with our faves:
Silver Oak Cellars Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Taylor Fladgate Fine Tawny Port
Peeps
When there are sugar and marshmallows are involved, we figure the rules were meant to be broken; so, we are going to recommend a cocktail on this one. Mix half an ounce of each of the following in a cocktail shaker with ice: a flavored vodka, chocolate liqueur, heavy cream. Give it a good shake and serve with a side of duck and bunny marshmallow treats!
Pair it with our faves:
Hangar One Mandarin Blossom Vodka
Godiva Original Chocolate Liqueur
Whether you’re having a relaxing evening or a busy and bustling Easter egg hunt, adding an adult beverage to your sweet treat is never a bad idea! Maybe next year, try hiding miniature bottles in the Easter eggs…just kidding, sort of.