A delicious, beautifully garnished ready-to-serve cocktail from Craftails is an added value for any catering business. But of course you can always go that extra mile to offer the customer the very best service: with a 'cocktail package' with your starters or main courses, for example! After all, cocktails are so much more than an aperitif: the right cocktail can also provide enormous added value with a meal. The ideal cocktail food pairing ensures an unforgettable experience in your establishment!
The wide range of special and complex flavors found in Craftails cocktails can complement, contrast, enhance or bring to life the dishes on your menu. Thus, you create an unforgettable culinary experience in no time. But 'cocktail and food pairing' is a real art, requires knowledge of the trade and a well thought-out strategy. That is why we would like to give you some tips to perfectly match your cocktail menu to your menu.
Recurring flavors
"Flavor matching" is the most obvious way to match dishes and cocktails. Look for the most distinctive flavor in your dish and choose a cocktail in which it returns. For example, a wok dish with ginger is perfect to pair with a ginger beer-based cocktail such as the Craftails Ipanema or Moscow Mule. In turn, a delicious tiramisu goes perfectly with a Raspberry Espresso Martini. Simple and "foolproof!
Origin as a guide
The origin of a dish can also be a good guide to the perfect "food & booze" combination. Dishes and drinks that have their origins in the same region or culture often use matching flavors and aromas. So an origin-based combination is always a good idea. Mexican ceviche or enchiladas paired with the Craftails Guava Margarita: a match made in heaven!
Barbecue & 'dark spirits'
Heavenly tender spare ribs or a juicy T-bone steak on the grill go perfectly with "dark spirits" like bourbon, whiskey or dark rum. The woody and smoky flavors found in both the dish and the spirits complement each other in the best possible way. The Craftails Horse's Neck or Dark & Stormy are the perfect buddies for your barbecue dishes. Success guaranteed!
Fruity & spicy
Combining spicy dishes with alcoholic drinks is not to be taken for granted; in fact, alcohol intensifies the "burning" sensation on the tongue caused by capsaicin (a substance found in hot peppers, among others). Thus, a cocktail with too much alcohol or too strong a flavor can cause a dish to be overpowered by sheer "spiciness. Dishes with intense, spicy and tangy flavors are therefore best combined with sweet, fruity cocktails. The sugar in a sweet cocktail softens the effect of the capsaicin and the fruity flavors offer refreshment with a spicy pasta or a spicy Thai curry. Our recommendations? With the Craftails Lazy Red Cheeks or Ambrosia (0%) you're always right!
Balance is key in food pairing
When creating the perfect combination, it is important to look for a balance: mild and strong, spicy and sweet, aromatic and refreshing. A good dose of "common sense" and some experimentation will already help you a long way here. For example, dishes with mild flavors like duck or chicken go well with a strong, flavorful cocktail. A meal with more intense flavors, on the other hand, is better combined with a fresh, light cocktail. In short: balance is key!
