5 French Pastry Snacks That Can Elevate Your Cocktail Party
French pastries are known worldwide for their taste and baking. These pastries are very unique and distinct from other pastries in the world, showcasing baking mastery. Cocktail variations can be easily paired with these pastries to complement the taste and add a layer of complex flavour profiles.
Baking sweets and desserts began to take shape in the 16th century when the profession of pastry chefs was established, introducing treats like sponge cakes, macaroons, and marzipan from Italy. The croissant was first recorded in Paris around 1830, brought by August Zang from Austria. On the other hand, macron cookies were brought to France in 1533 but were popularised by 1792.
These pastries are now known popularly as some early French pastries, which give a unique taste to the drinks they are paired with. Cocktails can be ideally paired with these pastries because of their buttery texture and sweet taste. The complex flavour profiles can complement a specific cocktail even if the pastries are sour. Learn about these five French pastry snacks that are very well-suited for cocktails.
Explore 5 French Pastry Snacks Best Paired With Cocktails
Financier
Financier French pastry is an almond flour cake which is small and compact. The cake is very simple-looking but tasty, presented as a gold bar. The French pastry has almond flour, butter, egg whites, and sugar. There are no or very few frostings with dry fruit toppings in the cake. It has a sweet buttery flavour, which goes well with complex flavoured cocktails like French 75 cocktail or cocktails with champagne base.
Chouquette
A chouquette is a light pastry suitable for cocktail bites in between drinks. It is made with the same dough as eclairs. These pastries are sprinkled with sugar crystals before baking, giving them a caramelised flavour, which goes well with bitter cocktails. The inside is hollow, soft and airy, making them great for cocktail evenings.
Macaron
Macarons are one of the most popular pairings for French pastries and cocktails for the evening. Macarons also come in different flavour profiles and colours, making the cocktail evening spread more memorable. Sparkling cocktails with gin or white rum can be best paired with macarons. Besides cocktails, champagne and wine drinks are also regularly paired with these pastries because of their sweet flavour. The sweetness complements the cocktails after taste, making it an ideal pair.
Madeleine
Madeleine is a shell-shaped cake that is light, buttery and simple to prepare. Cocktails that are extremely smooth and light like French 75 and aviation can be paired with this French pastry snack to intensify the flavour and experience. Pairing it with a simple gin and tonic will enhance the sour notes of the gin. Also, the pastry's buttery texture will complement the tonic's crispiness. These are sometimes made with a hint of lemon zest or vanilla extract, which also helps with the taste when pairing it with simple drinks.
Profiterole
Profiteroles are compound pastries that are often used during the cocktail evening because they can be eaten straight from the table. These are one of the conversation starters in a cocktail evening, served with cream filling, whipped cream, pastry cream, or ice cream. It goes well with espresso martini cocktails, which has a bitter after-taste and intense coffee flavour.
Authentic French pastry snacks for cocktails can be difficult to find, but experimenting with recipes in the kitchen is always possible. People who prefer something quick for parties can also order these from the nearby bakeries. French pastries, either ordered or homemade, provide a distinct layer of flavours to cocktails when added to the cocktail menu for the evening.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
