Cheese And Vodka: Perfect Pairing For A Fun Night

Vodka and cheese may seem like an unusual combination, but it is a perfect match. Vodka connoisseurs know that vodka flavours shine when accompanied by food, and cheese is a great choice. The high alcohol content of vodka can cut through the fattiness of cheese and coat your palate, acting as a palate cleanser. When it comes to choosing the right cheese to pair with vodka, opt for creamy and salty varieties such as ricotta, dill, camembert, havarti, and Swiss. For a unique experience, explore pairings such as blue cheese with honeycomb vodka or French and Italian cheeses with flavoured vodkas. Get creative and experiment with different combinations to discover your favourite vodka and cheese duo!

Straight vodka with heavier cream cheeses like brie

When pairing vodka with cheese, it is best to avoid highly-flavoured infused cheeses with heavily-flavoured spirits. This is because the strong flavours will compete against each other, and ultimately, you won't taste anything very distinctly. Instead, opt for nuanced cheeses that help bring out the subtleties of the vodka's flavour.

For example, Hangar 1's Rosé Vodka, a pink-tinged blend of mainly spirit and a touch of wine, is paired with France's spectacularly rich Brebis Rousse D'Argental, a ewe's milk brie. The apple acidity of the rosé and the vodka's crisp dryness balance the buttery indulgence of the cheese.

For a home tasting, consider sampling several different brands of non-flavoured vodka, such as Hangar 1 Straight Vodka, alongside a range of hard Italian cheeses. The clear spirit showcases qualities of these cheeses that traditional red wine pairings would harmonise with, but also pull focus from.

To fully appreciate the flavour of vodka and cheese, it is ideal to drink the vodka straight, without water or tonic, and at a slight chill. This is not the time for shots, either. Instead, consider small snifters or whiskey glasses, and be sure to draw the aroma of the vodka through your nostrils before taking a sip.

Delicately-flavoured vodkas with pungent cheeses

When it comes to delicately-flavoured vodkas, it's best to pair them with pungent cheeses. According to Hangar 1's head distiller, Caley Shoemaker, vodka's high alcohol content can cut through the fattiness of cheese and coat the palate, making it a palate cleanser that enhances the flavour of each bite.

For instance, Hangar 1's Rosé Vodka, a pink-tinged blend of spirit and wine, pairs well with France's spectacularly rich Brebis Rousse D'Argental, a ewe's milk brie. The apple acidity of the rosé and the vodka's crisp dryness balance the buttery indulgence of the cheese.

Another example is Hangar 1's Buddha's Hand Citron Vodka, which complements the subtle flavours of a fresh sheep milk ricotta from Bellwether Farms (Sonoma County), baked on toast with fig jam.

Citrus vodkas, such as Hangar 1's Buddha's Hand Citrus Vodka, also pair well with strong cheeses like Gorgonzola. However, it is recommended to avoid pairing highly-flavoured infused cheeses with heavily-flavoured spirits, as it can result in a competition of strong flavours that may diminish the distinct taste of each component.

Citrus vodka with strong cheeses like gorgonzola

When it comes to the best cheese to pair with vodka, citrus-flavoured vodka with strong cheeses like gorgonzola is a great choice. This combination is recommended by Hangar 1 Distillery's head distiller, Caley Shoemaker, who notes that vodka's high alcohol content can cut through the fattiness of a cheese like gorgonzola, acting as a palate cleanser.

Citrus vodka, with its bright, lively notes, can stand up to the strong, pungent flavours of gorgonzola. The vodka's crisp, clean taste will refresh your palate, allowing you to fully savour each bite of the rich, bold cheese.

For an elegant presentation, serve the vodka in small snifters or whiskey glasses, ensuring it is slightly chilled but not ice-cold. Before tasting, take a moment to inhale the vodka's aroma, enhancing your sensory experience.

If you're feeling creative, you can also try making gorgonzola-stuffed olives to accompany your vodka. Simply beat gorgonzola cheese until fluffy, adding a touch of heavy cream if needed, and pipe it into pitted green olives. These savoury bites are an indulgent treat and make for a unique, flavourful pairing with your citrus vodka.

Remember, when pairing vodka and cheese, it's best to avoid highly-flavoured infused cheeses with heavily-flavoured spirits as they can compete with each other, diminishing the distinct flavours of both. Instead, opt for more delicate pairings that complement and enhance each component, like citrus vodka with gorgonzola.

Goat's cheese with vodka flavoured with kaffir lime

Goats Cheese with Vodka flavoured with Kaffir Lime

Goats cheese is a great pairing with vodka, and even more so when the vodka is flavoured with kaffir lime. Kaffir lime leaves have a sour, astringent and bitter flavour that works perfectly against sweeter elements. The same can be said for goats cheese, which has a tangy flavour that can be brought out by the vodka.

When pairing cheese and spirits, it's important to consider the intensity of both and try to match them. Vodka with a high alcohol content can cut through the fattiness of a cheese and coat your palate, acting as a palate cleanser. This is why vodka pairs so well with cheese.

For a vodka flavoured with kaffir lime, a light and tangy goats cheese is the perfect pairing. Try a young, fresh goats cheese such as Humboldt Fog from Cypress Grove. The kaffir lime vodka will complement the tangy, fresh flavours of the cheese.

For a fun twist, you could even try goats cheese muffins with kaffir lime. These muffins are a popular mid-morning treat in New Zealand and are easy to prepare. Simply combine grated goat's cheese with diced kaffir lime leaf, shallots, courgettes, self-raising flour, salt and pepper. Then whisk together oil and eggs and stir into the mixture until moistened. Fill your muffin tins and bake for 15-20 minutes. These muffins are delicious served with drinks or soup.

So, if you're looking for a unique and delicious pairing, try goats cheese with vodka flavoured with kaffir lime. The tangy cheese and bitter lime flavours will create a perfect balance on your palate.

Sweet triple cow's milk cheese with mandarin blossom vodka

The sweet triple cow's milk cheese that pairs with this vodka is called MT TAM and is also produced by Cowgirl Creamery. Cowgirl Creamery was founded by Peggy Smith and Sue Conley, who have been fixtures on the Bay Area food scene since the 1970s. They launched Tomales Bay Foods in Point Reyes, which inspired them to get serious about cheese-making and led to the opening of Cowgirl Creamery. They have since made over 2,000 tons of award-winning cheese by focusing on quality milk and artisanal techniques.

When it comes to pairing cheese with vodka, it is important to consider the intensity and characteristics of both the cheese and the spirit. Vodka connoisseurs suggest that the crisp and light flavour of vodka is best accompanied by food, as this allows the vodka's flavours to truly shine. Generally, creamy and salty cheeses pair well with vodka, as the rich flavour of the cheese complements the crisp vodka flavour.

In the case of mandarin blossom vodka, a sweet triple cow's milk cheese is recommended to balance the slightly sweeter notes of the vodka. This pairing is an example of how vodka can enhance the flavour of cheese, particularly when mellow, creamy cheeses are matched with more nuanced vodkas. The high alcohol content of vodka can cut through the fattiness of cheese and coat the palate, acting as a palate cleanser that lets you truly enjoy the flavour of each bite.

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