Valentine's Cocktail Menu: Iconic Food And Cocktail Pairings
Introduction
Valentine's Day is a special occasion; at its crux, it celebrates all kinds of love. Be it a casual cocktail party with friends, an elegant family affair, or an intimate dinner with a partner, the holiday caters to all. This makes its menu planning a precise and delicate task.
Wine and beer pairings are easy. They simply need to match the core flavours of the accompanying dishes. However, since cocktails often comprise more ingredients than two or three. It is essential to pick drinks whose final flavour profile does not overwhelm the food.
Cocktail and food pairings follow a simple pattern. Vibrant and effervescent cocktails are ideal for accompanying rich, hearty dishes, seafood, salads and grilled dishes. Decadent and more nuanced cocktails are suitable for cheeses, meats and steaks, fruits and desserts.
Other than these common guidelines, cocktails are also paired in unique contrast with dishes such as pasta and sandwiches, depending on ingredients and taste profiles.
Suitable Cocktail And Food Pairings For Valentine’s Day
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Champagne Cocktail And Grilled Oysters
Grilled oysters are a luxurious and gourmet appetiser for Valentine’s Day. The dish’s inherent briny taste gets a smoky touch, which pairs well with a crisp, bubbly cocktail. The effervescence of champagne works well with the umami, grilled flavour profile of the oysters for a tasty pairing. To mix this cocktail for 2, you need 56 ml champagne, 4 ml aromatic bitters, 2 sugar cubes and 2 lemon twists. Soak the sugar cubes in bitters before placing them in the champagne flutes. Top with champagne and garnish with the lemon twists before serving.
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Negroni Cocktail And Charcuterie Board
The negroni cocktail finely balances bitterness and sweetness with herbal notes. This makes the cocktail a great pairing option for the salty flavours and multiple textures of a charcuterie board. The assorted cured meats and a huge variety of cheese are nicely complemented by the nuanced flavour profile of the negroni cocktail. To make this cocktail for 2, you need 20 ml gin, 20 ml red bitter liqueur, 20 ml sweet vermouth and 2 orange slices. To an ice-filled mixing glass, add gin, red bitter liqueur and sweet vermouth. Stir until well-chilled before straining into two ice-filled rock glasses. Garnish with the orange slices before serving.
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New York Sour Cocktail And Grilled Steak
A New York Sour cocktail combines the classic balance of tangy lemon juice, sweet, simple syrup and smooth whisky with a touch of dry red wine. The resultant drink pairs perfectly with a well-seasoned steak. The smoky, savoury flavours of the meat work well with the citrusy yet dry profile of the drink. To make this cocktail for 2, you need 48 ml bourbon or rye whisky, 30 ml lemon juice, 20 ml simple syrup, 12 ml red wine and 2 lemon twists. To an ice-filled cocktail shaker, add the whisky, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake vigorously till properly chilled. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass before gently pouring in the red wine on top for a floating effect. Garnish with lemon twists before serving.
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Espresso Martini Cocktail And Chocolate Mousse
You can pair an espresso martini cocktail with chocolate mousse for a decadent end to a special Valentine's dinner. The robust coffee flavour of the cocktail perfectly complements the rich, velvety texture of the mousse. The balance between bitterness and sweetness creates a great dessert affair.
To mix this cocktail for 2, you need 60 ml espresso, 40 ml vodka, 20 ml coffee liqueur, 10 ml simple syrup (optional) and coffee beans for garnishing. To an ice-filled cocktail shaker, add vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur and syrup. Shake till properly chilled. Strain into a chilled martini cocktail glass and garnish with coffee beans before serving.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
