Christmas may have come and gone, but the winter will be our guest for a while. To get the best out of this lovely weather, we have made the ultimate list of cocktails and the best winter desserts to go along with it. Whether you are planning a big party to start the new year with a bang or thinking about getting some friends over for a small get-together, these pairings will have your guests praising you till the end of time. Let's get baking!
How Can You Pair Your Cocktails With The Best Winter Desserts?
To find the perfect pairing, you must first be aware of a few dos and don'ts:
1. Try New Things
It is great to experiment and try out different things to see what works and what doesn't. Unleash your creativity, play around with different winter dessert recipes, and test them out with different drink combos.
2. Go For Complementary Taste
Complementary taste is everything when it comes to the best winter desserts and their pairings. If your dessert is rich and creamy, like a dark chocolate fudge, you can pair it with refreshing, fruity cocktails like strawberry daiquiri to bring out the contrast within the flavors.
3. Enhance Flavors
Find ways to enhance each flavor where complementary taste doesn't work. If your dessert has a citrusy hint like a lemon meringue pie, you can pair it with an equally flavorful drink like a Mai Tai. The same goes for a caramel apple pie and a caramel apple sangria.
4. Consider The Occasion
You can also go the classic route of traditional dishes and drinks according to the occasion. If you are planning a Christmas party, a pie will go perfectly with eggnog; however, this pairing would seem a bit out of place if you serve them at an Easter party.
5. Balance The Sweetness
Sugary desserts on top of sweet drinks may be too much for many people, so it is always smart to balance out the sweetness with something equally flavourful. If you are going for an extra sweet tiramisu, you can balance out its sweet taste with a tart drink like strawberry lemonade whiskey sour.
Best Winter Desserts Recipes And Their Cocktail Combos
To make your party a huge success, you need to know which winter dessert recipes go well with which cocktails. Here is a list of six winter desserts with the drink that best goes along with them:
1. Chocolate Truffle Martini With Espresso Tiramisu
This combination is one that is written in the stars. The smooth flavor of the chocolate truffle martini complements the creamy goodness of the Espresso Tiramisu.
● For A Chocolate Truffle Martini:
Take an ounce of Smirnoff vanilla vodka, one and a half ounces of Godiva white chocolate cream liquor, and one ounce of cream in a shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly, then strain it into a glass with chocolate shavings.
● For The Tiramisu
Mix mascarpone, sugar, vanilla, and cream together in a bowl with a whisk or beater. Dip lady fingers on both sides in a mixture of espresso and liquor of your choice. Layer the mascarpone mixture and soaked lady fingers on top of each other. When done, dust with cocoa powder.
2. Mojito With Key Lime Pie
Mojito is refreshing, and it pairs perfectly with the zesty and creamy flavor of key lime pie.
● For The Mojito
Take two or three mint leaves and muddle them up in a shaker with a syrup of your choice. Add rum, ice, and lime juice, then put it into a shaker. Shake it, then strain it into a glass over ice. Top it up with club soda, and you can garnish it with lime or a mint leaf.
● For The Key Lime Pie
Use a pre-made crust or make your own from scratch with biscuit crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter. Press the crumbs densely into the bottom and sides of the pie pan. Cook the crust in the oven for 10 minutes, then let it cook.
Make the filling by combining fresh lime juice with yogurt, lime zest, and condensed milk. Pour this lime filling into the pan and bake for 15 minutes before letting it chill in a refrigerator. Make the topping by whisking heavy cream.
3. Hot Mulled Wine With Winter Berry Dessert Crumble
Hot mulled wine is always a welcome way to warm up, but its combination with winter berry dessert crumble should never be underestimated.
● For The Hot Mulled Wine
Stir water and sugar in a saucepan till it dissolves. Add cloves, cinnamon sticks, and true lemon, then boil for ten minutes. Strain and pour the water mixture back into the saucepan; discard the rest. Pour in wine while stirring and keep the heat on until it warms up but does not boil.
● For The Winter Berry Crumble Dessert
Pour the berries into the serving dish, then mix with sugar and vanilla. Use rolled oats, salted butter, ground ginger, ground mixed spice, ground cinnamon, and sugar for the crumble topping. Utilize the same instructions for Key Lime Pie, baking the crumble, pouring in filling, and then topping it with a garnish.
4. Margarita With Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie
The tangy flavor of the margarita pairs well with the deep and luxurious taste of a coconut cream pie.
● For The Margarita
Run a lime across the rim of your margarita glass, then dip it in salt for a salted rim. Now, shake tequila, orange liquor, and ice cubes, then strain. Taste for yourself and add a sweetener if necessary.
● For Coconut Cream Pie
Use a saucepan to mix half and half with salt, sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch till it boils. Keep it on the heat for an extra one to two minutes till it thickens, then remove and stir in butter, vanilla, and coconut extract. Keep adding coconut until the butter has melted completely, then pour this mixture into a crust-covered pie pan. Chill till it becomes solid. Top with whipped cream, powdered sugar, and coconut flakes.
5. Old-Fashioned With Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake
Chocolate might as well be the soulmate of whisky with how deliciously great both these flavors go together. This is why we believe an old-fashioned would work well with a rich dark chocolate mousse cake.
● For An Old-Fashioned
Mix some sugar and bitters into water. Pour in bourbon and ice into the mixture, then mix some more. Strain it on one large ice cube, then take an orange zest, express its oil over the glass, and drop it in for the added flavor.
● For The Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake
Melt dark chocolate and butter in a heat-proof bowl dipped in a saucepan, then mix in sugar and water. Add cocoa, flour, and egg, then stir. Pour it into a pan, then bake it for twenty-five minutes.
Cool the cake, and in the meanwhile, melt chocolates into the heat-proof bowl, then let it cool slightly and beat till soft peaks are formed. Fold around a third of the cream into chocolate. Add chocolate, cream, and glucose to the glaze. Spoon fudge over the cake, then pour the glaze and let it cool.
6. Manhattan With Skillet S'mores
Manhattan is a classic cocktail, and although it may seem very weird to combine it with something as rudimentary as skillet s'mores, it is truly a combination made in heaven.
● For A Manhattan
Add in bitters, rye whiskey, and sweet vermouth with ice, then stir in a mixing glass. Strain it into a glass and garnish with either a lemon twist or a cherry.
● For Skillet S'mores
This is relatively the simplest recipe on this list. Fill a saucepan with marshmallows, then put it on medium heat to make them golden brown. Use it as a dip for crackers, and you have yourself some comfort food.
Where To Get The Best Ingredients For Your Winter Dessert Recipes?
Get your hands on the best ingredients for your favorite winter dessert recipes by ordering them from a reputable cooking essentials retailer like Bayara. This way, you can ensure you will only be getting the best quality of healthy ingredients for your homemade cuisines.
Conclusion
With these dessert pairing suggestions, you can add a little bit of warmth and sweetness to any winter gathering. From a cozy night in with your loved ones to a big party with friends, these desserts and cocktails are sure to impress. Whether you prefer something fruity, creamy, or spicy, there's the best winter desserts and cocktail combo for everyone.
Remember to experiment and try out different things to discover what works best for you. Don't be afraid to play around with different winter dessert recipes and test them out with different drink combos. You might be surprised by the delicious combinations you can come up with.
Finally, as you plan your next winter celebration, keep in mind that the key to a successful pairing is complementary taste, flavor enhancement, occasion, and sweetness balance. By keeping these tips in mind, you can create the perfect dessert and cocktail combinations that your guests will remember for a long time.
So, let's raise our glasses and toast to the winter with these delightful desserts and cocktail pairings!
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