Cheese And Beverage Pairings: The Perfect Drink For Grilled Cheese

There are many drinks that can accompany a grilled cheese sandwich. A tall glass of cold milk is a classic beverage to go with grilled cheese. However, as an adult, one might prefer a glass of cold ale or lager, an aromatic dry white wine, or a glass of light red wine. A more indulgent option could be a glass of champagne.

Beer and grilled cheese

The classic combination of cheese and beer is a well-loved pairing, and when you add a grilled cheese sandwich to the mix, you have a match made in heaven. The salt and umami of the cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich go perfectly with the sweet, bitter, or sour notes in a beer.

Beer Soaked Grilled Cheese

For a unique twist on the classic grilled cheese, you can try a beer-soaked grilled cheese sandwich. The Brooklyn Brew Shop has a recipe that uses a brown ale in the batter for the sandwich, which includes sourdough bread, cheddar cheese, and butter, with optional toppings like bacon, ham, or avocado. The beer is whisked with eggs, flour, salt, and chili powder to create a batter that the bread is soaked in before grilling.

Pairing Beer with Grilled Cheese

When it comes to pairing a beer with your grilled cheese sandwich, you can go for a sweet and bitter beer, like an IPA, or a sour beer, to balance the saltiness and richness of the grilled cheese. A brown ale would also pair well with a grilled cheese, especially one with nutty notes. If you're feeling adventurous, you can take a cue from Samuel Thornhill, a food blogger and private chef, and pair six different cheeses with six different beers, focusing on flavour, density, potency, and level of obscurity. For example, he pairs bleu cheese with a stout, cheddar with an IPA, and harbison with a saison.

Beyond Beer

While beer and grilled cheese are a great combination, there are also other drinks that can complement this classic sandwich. Some people enjoy a glass of cold milk, chocolate milk, or even red wine with their grilled cheese. For a truly indulgent experience, you might try dipping your grilled cheese in maple syrup, or pairing it with a bowl of tomato soup.

Red wine and grilled cheese

To create this indulgent treat, start by making a red wine reduction. In a skillet, melt some butter and add chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until the onions are soft. Next, add your chosen red wine—whether it's a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, or Merlot—and let it simmer until it thickens. This reduction serves as the star ingredient in your grilled cheese sandwich.

For the sandwich itself, opt for a hearty bread like sourdough or French bread, sliced thickly. Butter the outside of each slice generously. Layer the sandwich with your favourite cheeses—Gruyère, blue cheese, Muenster, or a blend of shredded cheeses—and don't hold back on the amount! Add the cooked onions and some fresh basil for an extra flavour boost.

Place the sandwich in a skillet over medium heat and cook, flipping intermittently, until the cheese melts and the bread turns a golden brown crust on both sides. The result is a mouthwatering combination of oozing cheese and crunchy bread, infused with the rich flavours of red wine.

Pairing red wine with a grilled cheese sandwich elevates this classic comfort food to a whole new level. The tanginess of the wine complements the creaminess of the cheese, while the bread provides a crunchy texture that contrasts the smoothness of the wine. It's the perfect indulgent treat for a cosy night in, best enjoyed with your favourite TV show or a good book.

White wine and grilled cheese

Grilled cheese is a classic, comforting dish, and while it is delicious on its own, the right drink pairing can elevate the whole experience. A glass of white wine is an excellent choice to accompany grilled cheese, adding a touch of sophistication to this beloved comfort food.

When pairing white wine with grilled cheese, opt for a variety that will complement the cheese's flavour profile. Brie, for instance, is a popular choice for grilled cheese, and its creamy, rich, and slightly nutty flavour pairs beautifully with a crisp, dry white wine. A Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc would be wonderful options, offering a refreshing contrast to the richness of the Brie.

If you're feeling adventurous, try incorporating white wine directly into your grilled cheese sandwich! Adding wine to the sandwich elevates this humble dish, creating a unique and refined flavour profile. For instance, a recipe by Elizabeth Heiskell includes white wine, shallots, whole-grain mustard, and a sophisticated cheese blend, resulting in a complex and savoury grilled cheese experience.

When selecting a wine for your grilled cheese, consider the specific type of cheese you're using. Different cheeses have distinct flavour profiles, and choosing a wine that complements these flavours will create a harmonious pairing. For example, a mild and buttery cheese might pair well with a crisp and fruity white wine, while a sharper, more pungent cheese could be balanced by a wine with a touch of sweetness.

Finally, don't be afraid to experiment and find your own perfect pairing. Grilled cheese is a versatile dish, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to pairing it with wine. Explore different varieties of wine and cheese, and discover the combinations that delight your taste buds!

Milk and grilled cheese

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a fan favourite, especially for vegetarians. While some people enjoy grilled cheese with tomato soup, or a beer, others prefer to have a glass of cold milk alongside their grilled cheese sandwich.

If you want to elevate your grilled cheese, you could try experimenting with different cheeses, ingredients, spreads, and breads. For example, you could try using a combination of 2-3 cheeses with different textures. Fresh cheeses like feta and mozzarella and aged cheeses like parmesan don't melt well, so it's a good idea to grate them and pair them with cheeses that melt easily, like Swiss, cheddar, gouda, muenster, gruyere, and brie.

To make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, layer your sandwich in the following order: bread, cheese, toppings, cheese, bread. This way, the cheese will melt nicely as it is the first thing in contact with the bread. For a sandwich that is crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, coat your bread with some sort of fat, like butter. You could try using garlic or maple-infused butter, or something unconventional like mayonnaise, vegetable oil, or coconut oil.

When cooking your grilled cheese, keep the heat at low to medium, and cook for 8-10 minutes on each side.

Champagne and grilled cheese

When creating a grilled cheese sandwich to pair with champagne, consider using a mild, buttery cheese like Brie. Brie has a creamy texture and a subtle flavour that won't overwhelm the champagne. You can elevate your sandwich by adding some sweet elements, such as sliced strawberries or a sweet jam, which will complement the champagne's crispness. To really infuse your sandwich with the champagne flavour, you can even make a champagne sauce. Simply combine sugar, salt, and champagne in a saucepan, and heat until it simmers. Thicken the sauce with cornstarch and add beaten eggs to create a rich, creamy consistency.

For the bread, opt for something buttery and flaky, like brioche. Toasting the brioche before assembling the sandwich will help it maintain its structure and prevent it from becoming soggy. Layer your toasted brioche with the champagne sauce, thin-sliced strawberries, and triple crème Brie. Cook the sandwich on a griddle at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, until the bread is golden and crunchy, and the cheese is melted.

As for the champagne, choose a variety that will complement the flavours in your sandwich. A crisp, dry champagne will pair well with the sweetness of the strawberries and jam, while a brut champagne can stand up to the richness of the Brie. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try a rosé champagne for a slightly fruity note that will echo the strawberries.

When serving, cut the sandwich into bite-sized pieces for a fun and elegant presentation. This pairing is perfect for a celebratory brunch, a girls' get-together, or simply as a treat for yourself. So, pop open that bottle of champagne, bite into your grilled cheese, and enjoy the magical combination of bubbles and cheese!

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