Cheese And Gin: Perfect Pairing For A Tasty Treat

Gin and cheese are two of life's great pleasures, and finding the perfect match can be a heavenly and exciting adventure. With its botanical notes and refreshing crispness, gin drinks are a natural pair with cheese. The spirit is flavoured by redistilling vodka with botanicals, including juniper, citrus peels, coriander, cardamom, and cassia bark, which complement the natural flavour profiles of a wide variety of cheeses. For example, a gin and tonic generally pair well with soft and creamy cheeses, like brie, camembert, and other white mouldy cheeses. The gin brings out the floral notes in the cheeses, and the bitterness of the tonic rinses the palate.

Gin and tonic with Fourme d'Ambert, Camembert, Saint Marcellin, Brique, or an 18-month Comté

Gin and tonic is a refreshing cocktail with botanical notes that make it a natural pairing with cheese. The spirit is flavoured by redistilling a vodka base with botanicals, including juniper, citrus peels, coriander, cardamom, and cassia bark. The flavours of the botanicals complement the natural flavour profiles of a wide variety of cheeses.

A gin and tonic with Fourme d'Ambert could be a delightful pairing. Fourme d'Ambert is a mild French blue cheese with a velvety texture and earthy, sweet notes. It is made from pasteurised cow's milk and has a high moisture level, resulting in a fudgy, rich texture. The sweet cream and mushroom flavours of Fourme d'Ambert could complement the botanical notes of a gin and tonic, creating a harmonious flavour combination.

Camembert, a soft and creamy French cheese, could also be a delicious match for a gin and tonic. Camembert has a slightly lower butterfat content than Brie, giving it a unique texture and flavour. Its creamy texture and subtle sour notes could be enhanced by the crispness and citrus flavours of a gin and tonic.

Saint Marcellin, a delicate French cheese from the Rhône-Alpes region, could be another interesting choice to pair with a gin and tonic. This cheese has a thick, creamy texture and a mushroomy flavour. When warmed, Saint Marcellin becomes even creamier and can be served with crusty French bread or crackers. The earthiness and subtle tartness of Saint Marcellin might create an intriguing contrast with the botanical notes of a gin and tonic.

Brique, a mild cow's milk cheese from the Rhône-Alpes region of France, could also be worth considering with a gin and tonic. Its soft texture and mild taste make it a pleasant appetiser or ingredient in summer salads. The light and refreshing flavours of a gin and tonic might complement the mildness of Brique cheese, creating a well-balanced pairing.

Finally, an 18-month Comté, a firm and fruity French cheese, could be an intriguing match for a gin and tonic. Comté has a complex flavour profile with notes of brown butter, hazelnuts, and fresh milk. Its crystalline texture and fruity aroma could provide an interesting contrast to the botanical notes of a gin and tonic. The cocktail's crispness might also help to highlight the cheese's fruity nuances.

While these cheeses offer potential pairing options with a gin and tonic, personal preferences may vary, and experimentation is encouraged to find the combinations that suit your taste buds best.

Classic martini with rich, fatty, and salty sheep milk cheeses

The classic martini is a strong cocktail, so it needs to be paired with a strong cheese that can stand up to the alcohol. Rich, fatty, and salty sheep milk cheeses are ideal. Look for pecorino, feta, or a well-balanced Spanish manchego. These cheeses have the depth of flavour required to match the intensity of the martini.

For the martini itself, a Navy Strength or London Dry style gin is recommended. Jensen's, Gothic Gin, and London to Lima are all good choices. The botanicals in these gins, such as juniper, citrus peels, coriander, and cardamom, will complement the natural flavour profiles of the sheep milk cheeses.

When it comes to the perfect serve, a dirty martini with Jensen's gin is a great match for Meredith Dairy Marinated Goats Cheese on a cracker. Alternatively, for a bone-dry martini, try pairing Campfire London Dry Gin with Cornish Kern, a cheese with a depth of flavour arising from 12 months of maturing.

If you're looking for a more creative take on the classic, Campfire London Dry Gin's Gibson Martini, made with vermouth and a cocktail pickled onion garnish, pairs well with Rollright cow's milk cheese, which has been rind-washed in a brine solution and wrapped in pine wood.

Negroni with salty or strong cheeses like buffalo mozzarella or pecorino

The classic negroni cocktail, with its distinct bitterness, calls for cheeses with a salty or strong flavour profile, such as buffalo mozzarella or pecorino. The salty and strong flavours of these cheeses complement the cocktail's bitterness.

Buffalo mozzarella, or 'mozzarella di bufala' in Italian, is a soft and creamy cheese made from Italian water buffalo milk. It is primarily produced in southern Italy, particularly in the Campania region. The cheese is known for its smooth and slightly tangy consistency, making it a favourite among cheese enthusiasts. When paired with a negroni, the saltiness of the cheese is enhanced, creating a delightful combination.

Pecorino, on the other hand, is a rich, fatty, and salty sheep milk cheese. The strong flavour of pecorino, often with an underlying lanolin taste, stands up well to the bitterness of the negroni. The juniper-forward gins commonly used in negronis, such as London Dry or Navy Strength, pair exceptionally well with pecorino. The strong juniper and citrus notes in these gins beautifully match the salty and fatty characteristics of the cheese.

When enjoying a negroni, consider ordering a Quattro Formaggio (four cheese) pizza, which often includes mozzarella and pecorino, for a spectacular food and drink combination. The saltiness and strength of these cheeses will enhance the flavours of the negroni, resulting in a delightful sensory experience.

For a quick and easy snack to accompany your negroni, bruschetta topped with mozzarella or pecorino is a delicious option. The saltiness of the cheese will be accentuated by the bitterness of the cocktail, creating a harmonious pairing.

Gin sour with lemon juice pairs well with gouda or mild brie

The botanicals in gin, including juniper, citrus peels, coriander, cardamom, and cassia bark, make it an excellent pairing for a wide variety of cheeses. Gin and cheese are two of life's greatest pleasures, and finding the perfect match can be a heavenly and exciting adventure.

A gin sour is a classic cocktail that is light, refreshing, and mildly botanical. It is made with gin, lemon juice, and a sweetener, with the option of adding an egg white or aquafaba for a frothy texture. The acidity from the lemon juice in a gin sour pairs well with the caramelised notes in a gouda cheese. The citrus-forward gin cuts through the richness of the cheese, creating a delightful combination.

When it comes to cheese, a gin sour with lemon juice goes exceptionally well with gouda. The acidity from the citrus in the cocktail contrasts beautifully with the caramelised notes in the gouda, resulting in a flavourful and satisfying pairing. The sharpness of the lemon and the botanicals of the gin complement each other, enhancing the overall taste experience.

Additionally, a gin sour with lemon juice also pairs wonderfully with a mild brie. The acidity of the lemon juice balances the creamy texture of the mild brie, creating a harmonious combination. The crispness of the gin sour adds a refreshing touch to the rich and smooth flavours of the cheese.

For the perfect gin sour, use fresh lemon juice to achieve the brightest flavour. You can also chill your glass beforehand to keep the drink refreshingly cold. Don't forget to give it a good shake, aiming for 10-15 seconds, to ensure the ideal chill and dilution.

Spicy Red Snapper (gin's Bloody Mary) with dry and aged Italian cheeses like parmesan or mozzarella

Gin and cheese are a match made in heaven. The spirit's botanical, herbal, and floral notes, as well as its crispness, complement the natural flavour profiles of a wide variety of cheeses.

A Spicy Red Snapper is a gin-based Bloody Mary, and while it may not seem like a natural choice to pair with cheese, it actually makes a lot of sense. Think of all the times you've had tomatoes with cheese—a classic combination! The drink's tomato juice and spice go well with dry and aged Italian cheeses, especially parmesan or mozzarella. To enhance the Italian flavour profile, add a little basil to your Spicy Red Snapper, or drizzle your cheese with olive oil.

When pairing cheese and cocktails, it's a good idea to test different cheeses with the cocktails you want to serve ahead of time to ensure the best pairing. The spirit that forms the base of the cocktail is the most important element when considering pairings. Gin, for example, is distilled with herbs and berries, and its floral notes go well with a variety of cheeses, from mild white mould cheese to stronger, aged, or smoked cheeses, and even blue cheese. Goat's milk cheeses also pair well with gin.

The consistency of the cocktail also influences the cheese pairing. A creamy cheese can be accompanied by a less creamy cocktail, while a crumbling cheese goes well with a frothy drink. For example, a gin sour, which has froth from egg whites, is perfect for serving with a mild Double Crème or an Aged Gouda. The caramelised notes in the gouda contrast nicely with the acidity and floral taste of the gin.

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