Best Buds And Taste Buds: Cocktail And Food Pairings For Your Friendship Day Party
A Friendship Day party can go several routes. It can either be a movie marathon for which the best buds come calling and watch cheesy plotlines unfold around friendships. It can also be a weekend sundowner where you head to the rooftop with your friends to take in the setting sun falling on the cityscape. Or, it can be an elegant gathering of friends coming together to do all things posh.
Whatever the theme of this special event, your best buds and their taste buds will arrive at the party looking forward to interesting repasts. Pairing certain cocktails with bar bites or foods that compliment or contrast each others’ flavours to present a well-balanced coupling can be one of the easiest ways to curate a stellar menu. From DIY taco and margarita stations to crispy pakoras served alongside a whisky sour, the opportunities for such pairings are immense.
Read on below for some interesting culinary and mixology pairing ideas that can be part of your Friendship Day party:
Whisky Sour And Crispy Onion Pakoras
Hosting a gathering for friends on the patio during monsoons? Craft an excellent whisky sour cocktail using 30 ml Johnnie Walker Black Label or any other premium whisky of choice and about 15 ml lime juice in a mix of spicy, smoky and citrusy flavours. The cocktail can go well with crispy, crunchy onion pakoras served hot on rainy days. As well, the umami flavour and light spice of the pakoras will cut through the sour and tangy notes in the whisky sour even as they complement the deep, smoky flavours of the spirit.
Peach And Basil Sangria With Chilli Paneer Skewers
Girlfriends are known to revel in movies which feature staunch friendships where girlies stand by each other through school, marriages, jobs and all. And when the theme of your Friendship’s Day movie marathon is such girl flicks, a soft, floral and herbal drink would be a suitable serve. Go for the light, slightly fruity and tart peach and basil sangria crafted using 30 ml sparkling rosé. Pair this fruity cocktail with the contrasting spicy notes of chilli paneer skewers which balance out the blend’s herbaceous notes.
Also Read: Perfect Indian Cocktail & Food Pairings For A Flavourful Festive Party
Espresso Martini Cocktail And Chocolate Brownie Bites
For your friends with a sweet tooth, bake some delicious chocolate brownies using good quality dark chocolate. Match the earthy, sweet, cakey and rich notes of this small bite dessert with a cocktail that features the deep and robust flavours of an aromatic coffee. Bring together 30 ml Ketel One Premium Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice with a dash of freshly brewed espresso to craft this deeply flavoured drink. This pairing can work well as a late-evening combination served at dessert-time to friends meeting up during the last course of the meal.
Mojitos And Nachos
Craft mojito variations complete with fruity, spicy and herbaceous ingredients using quality 30 ml white rum and accompanying ingredients like peach schnapps, orange sodas, lemon-lime fizz, cardamom and lavender infused simple syrups and more. Pair these fresh and zingy drinks with crispy nachos drizzled with cheese sauce, jalapeños, olives, beans and every other well-suited topping you can think of. Mojitos coupled with nachos are excellent food and drink pairings for a Friendship Day gathering at which lots of friends are expected to head over to your place.
Margarita And Tacos
What is perhaps one of the most classic mixology and culinary combinations, margaritas and tacos can be a legendary coupling served to friends at a Mexican-themed get together on this special day. Craft the cocktail using 20 ml Don Julio Blanco or any other premium tequila of choice coupled with 10 ml triple sec and at least 2 tablespoons lime juice in a well-balanced mix of citrusy, fruity and acidic flavours. Pair the margaritas with soft shell tacos containing beans, prawns, fresh crispy salads and salsa stuffings. Remember to keep a vegetarian option in store as well, featuring tofu or mushrooms.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
