Blue Cheese's Perfect Beverage Pairings: A Guide

Blue cheese is a bold, salty, and rich ingredient that can be paired with a wide range of drinks. While some classic pairings are well-known, such as port and stilton or roquefort and Sauternes, there are many other options to explore. From wines to beers, ciders, and even cocktails, blue cheese can be enjoyed with a variety of beverages that complement its unique flavour profile. So, whether you're a fan of the stinky stuff or not, read on to discover the perfect drink to accompany this divisive cheese.

Blue cheese and wine

Blue cheese is a bold, salty, fatty and funky cheese. While it is generally not considered a great combo with wine, there are some pairings that work. The trick is to find a drink that can stand up to the strong flavour of the cheese so that it doesn't get left in the shadows.

The classics are Port and Stilton, and Sauternes and Roquefort. The sweetness and body of these drinks are a perfect foil to the salt and acidity found in the stronger blues. Other fortified wines that go well with blue cheese include medium-dry amontillado or oloroso sherry, or sweet madeira.

For a blue cheese and fresh fig salad, a smooth Italian white wine like a Gavi di Gavi is a good choice. This would also work with pasta or gnocchi with a blue cheese sauce. A Jurancon Sec is recommended as an accompaniment to a Roquefort, pear and endive salad.

If you're eating a steak or burger with blue cheese, a hearty red like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec is a good choice. Southern Italian reds like negroamaro or nero d'avola, or a Zinfandel, can also work with more mellow blue cheeses like Bleu d'Auvergne or Barkham Blue.

For restrained blues such as Cambazola and Chiriboga Blue, a delicate rose or light-bodied white wine is recommended.

Blue cheese cocktails

Blue cheese is a bold, salty, fatty, funky, and rich flavour, so it is important to find the right balance when pairing it with drinks. While blue cheese is commonly paired with wine, it also goes well with brandy, beer, and even coffee.

Life's a Beach

This fruity, gin-based cocktail is served at Tel Aviv's Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar. It contains Amaro di Angostura, watermelon syrup, lime, and a splash of soda, with a subtle addition of blue cheese. The drink is described as "funky, fresh, and savory, just a normal day at the beach". The blue cheese adds a layer of funk and salinity to the cocktail, creating a unique and memorable flavour.

Josephine's Pet

This cocktail is a twist on the classic Sidecar and can be found at Bell Boy, another bar in Tel Aviv. It is made with Roquefort-infused Cognac, adding body and texture to the drink. The blue cheese is steeped in the Cognac for 48 hours, infusing it with a subtle flavour that enhances the other ingredients without overwhelming them.

Rob Hates This

This Swizzle-inspired cocktail is served at Nocturne cocktail bar in Washington, D.C. It contains Roquefort-infused Scotch, made using the fat-wash technique, pear cordial fortified with grappa, and housemade falernum. The drink is served on crushed ice with a red-wine-reduction float. The blue cheese adds a funky flavour to the cocktail, creating a unique and unexpected taste.

When creating blue cheese cocktails, it is important to experiment with different types of blue cheese and infusion techniques to find the perfect balance of flavours. The key is to use the blue cheese as a complementary ingredient that enhances the other flavours in the cocktail without being the dominant taste.

Blue cheese and beer

Blue cheese is often a bold, salty cheese, and its strong flavour profile means that it can be a tricky food to pair with drinks. However, there are a variety of beers that can complement blue cheese.

Firstly, brown ale is a good choice to pair with blue cheese. A brown ale's malt and nutty flavours can complement the nuttiness of a blue cheese such as Bay Blue, a cow's milk cheese from California.

Stouts and porters, with their roasted malt flavours, can also complement the creaminess of a full-fat blue cheese. The acidity of blue cheese can be moderated by the sweetness, chocolate and vanilla flavours of these beers.

Strong IPAs and Belgian strong golden ales can also work well with blue cheese, as long as the intensity of the two is matched.

In addition, for restrained blues such as Cambazola and Chiriboga Blue, a delicate rose or light-bodied white wine or beer can work well.

Blue cheese and tea/coffee

Blue cheese is a bold, salty, fatty, and funky cheese, so it is important to find the right beverage to complement its strong flavour. While blue cheese is commonly paired with wine, it also goes well with tea or coffee.

Tea and coffee are not commonly thought of as pairings for blue cheese, but they can complement its strong flavour. A source suggests that black tea or coffee can be a good pairing for blue cheese. This may be because tea and coffee have strong flavours that can stand up to the boldness of blue cheese. Additionally, coffee is often served with milk and sugar, which can help to balance the salty and funky flavours of blue cheese.

Another factor to consider when pairing tea or coffee with blue cheese is the time of day. Blue cheese is often considered a dessert cheese, so it may be more appropriate to pair it with coffee or tea during breakfast or after a meal. Coffee and tea also have stimulating effects that can help aid digestion, making them a good choice after a rich meal featuring blue cheese.

When pairing tea with blue cheese, consider a black tea such as English breakfast or Earl Grey. These teas have robust flavours that can stand up to the boldness of blue cheese. For coffee, a medium or dark roast with a full body and robust flavour may work best.

In addition to straight tea or coffee, there are also cocktails that feature blue cheese and are complemented by the addition of tea or coffee. For example, the "Life's a Beach" cocktail from Tel Aviv's Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar features blue cheese and is described as "funky, fresh, and savoury". The cocktail includes gin, Amaro di Angostura, watermelon syrup, lime, and a splash of soda. While blue cheese may seem like an unusual ingredient for a cocktail, it can add depth and complexity to the drink.

Blue cheese and food pairings

Blue cheese is a bold, salty, fatty, and funky flavour, so pairing it with drinks requires a careful approach. The classic pairing is a sweet, full-bodied wine, such as port with stilton or Sauternes with Roquefort. Other sweet wines that work well with blue cheese include Vin Santo, orange wine, and elderberry wine. For those who prefer a drier white wine, a crisp variety such as a Sauvignon or Semillon pairs well with the popular French blue cheese, Roquefort.

When it comes to red wines, a medium-bodied variety can be tricky with pungent blue cheeses but works well with more mellow varieties. If you're eating blue cheese with a burger or steak, a hearty red like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec is a good choice. Fortified wines, such as medium dry Amontillado or Oloroso sherry, or sweet Madeira, also pair well with blue cheese.

Beyond wine, blue cheese can be paired with a wide range of beverages, including brandy, beer, and even coffee. A brown ale, such as Bell's Best Brown, is a good match for restrained blues such as Cambazola and Chiriboga Blue, while stouts and porters complement the creaminess of full-fat blues. For something fresh and zingy, an apple or pear cider works well with rich blues.

Blue cheese has also been making appearances in cocktails, with world-class mixologists experimenting with its addition. For example, the Life's a Beach cocktail at Tel Aviv's Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar includes blue cheese alongside Amaro di Angostura, watermelon syrup, lime, and a splash of soda. At Bell Boy, another cocktail bar in Tel Aviv, a twist on the classic Sidecar called Josephine's Pet features Roquefort-infused Cognac.

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