Cheese, Beverage, and Snack Pairings
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Cut down on planning with our pairings. We've consulted experts and performed extensive taste testing (the best part) to bring you this full list. These pairings highlight the best cheese, cocktail, and additional snack options to enhance your gourmet flavored mixed nuts, creating a well-rounded tasting experience for your guests.
- Blueberry Crumble Mixed Nuts (Seasonal)
- Cheese Pairings:
- Creamy Brie (Soft): Brie’s rich, buttery texture complements the fruity sweetness of blueberries, while its mild flavor lets the crumble notes shine.
- Goat Cheese (Soft): The tangy, creamy goat cheese enhances the blueberry flavor while balancing its sweetness.
- Gorgonzola Dolce (Semi-soft, crumbly): This sweeter, creamier variety of blue cheese adds a slightly tangy yet mild contrast to the sweet crumble.
- Beverage Pairings:
- Merlot: The fruity and slightly oaky notes of Merlot bring out the sweetness of the blueberries and balance the richness of the nuts.
- Moscato: Light and sweet, Moscato enhances the fruity flavors of the nuts while offering a refreshing counterpoint to the richness.
- Cosmopolitan: The tart cranberry and citrus notes in a Cosmopolitan create a fresh contrast to the sweet blueberry crumble flavors, while the vodka cuts through the richness.
- Other Pairings:
- Sliced peaches: Juicy and sweet, they pair naturally with blueberries and enhance the fruity flavors of the mixed nuts.
- Oat crackers: Provide a hearty, crunchy texture that complements the crumble and fruit flavors.
- Dried cranberries: Their tartness balances the sweetness and adds a chewy texture to the mix.
- Buffalo Ranch Mixed Nuts
- Cheese Pairings
- Muenster (Semi-soft): Its mild, creamy flavor cools down the heat from the Buffalo spice, balancing the richness of ranch.
- White Cheddar (Hard): Sharp and tangy, it contrasts with the spiciness of the Buffalo while complementing the ranch’s creaminess.
- Bleu Cheese (Semi-soft, crumbly): Bold and tangy, bleu cheese is a classic pairing for Buffalo spice, adding depth and richness.
- Pepper Jack (Semi-soft): Adds extra heat and creaminess, perfect for those who enjoy spicy flavors.
- Beverage Pairings:
- Prosecco (Brut or Rosé): The crispness and bubbles cut through the richness of the ranch, while the fruity notes balance the heat.
- Aperol Spritz: The refreshing and slightly bitter flavor of Aperol spritz complements the spiciness of the Buffalo while refreshing the palate.
- American Lager: A classic, light beer that cools down the spice and complements the savory ranch flavors.
- Other Pairings:
- Carrot sticks: A healthy, crunchy option to cool down the heat and balance the flavors.
- Celery sticks: A classic accompaniment for Buffalo flavors, adding a refreshing crunch.
- Whole wheat crackers: Heartier crackers that provide a satisfying crunch and complement the bold flavors.
- Cinnamon Churro Mixed Nuts
- Cheese Pairings:
- Sharp Cheddar (Hard): The tanginess of aged cheddar contrasts with the warm cinnamon spice, creating a balance of savory and sweet.
- Mascarpone (Soft): Its sweet and creamy texture complements the cinnamon and adds a luscious feel to the pairing.
- Manchego (Semi-hard): With its nutty and slightly sweet flavor, Manchego pairs well with the churro's cinnamon and sugar notes.
- Beverage Pairings:
- Tawny Port: The rich, caramel notes in Tawny Port highlight the cinnamon while providing a warm sweetness that complements the spiced nuts.
- Rumchata: Creamy and spiced, Rumchata echoes the churro’s flavors, enhancing the cinnamon with a smooth, indulgent finish.
- Other Pairings:
- Cinnamon pita chips: Enhance the cinnamon flavors with a light crunch.
- Sliced pears: Sweet and refreshing, offering a fresh contrast to the spiced flavors.
- Dried apricots: Add a chewy texture and natural sweetness that pairs well with the cinnamon.
- Dark Chocolate Mocha Mixed Nuts (Seasonal)
- Cheese Pairings:
- Creamy Brie (Soft): Smooth and rich, brie enhances the sweetness of the mocha while providing a delicate, creamy contrast.
- Sharp Cheddar (Hard): The tangy bite of aged cheddar adds a surprising savory contrast to the rich, sweet chocolate and coffee flavors.
- Triple Cream Camembert (Soft): This ultra-creamy cheese pairs well with chocolate, enhancing the rich mocha notes with its decadent texture.
- Beverage Pairings:
- Cabernet Sauvignon: The deep, fruity flavors of Cabernet bring out the dark chocolate and coffee notes, while its tannins provide structure to balance the sweetness.
- Espresso Martini: Intensifies the mocha flavors and adds a rich, creamy element that mirrors the chocolatey richness of the nuts.
- Other Pairings:
- Butter crackers: Their smooth, buttery flavor complements the richness of both the chocolate and cheese.
- Strawberries: Sweet and juicy, they pair perfectly with both chocolate and cheese.
- Dried cherries: Add a chewy texture and tart sweetness to balance the rich, mocha flavors.
- Gingerbread Mixed Nuts (Seasonal)
- Cheese Pairings:
- Mascarpone (Soft): Smooth and creamy, mascarpone complements the warming spices of gingerbread without overpowering the sweet and spicy flavors.
- Aged Gouda (Hard): The caramel-like, nutty notes of aged gouda mirror the rich gingerbread spices, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
- Ricotta Salata (Semi-hard): This crumbly, slightly salty cheese adds a light, refreshing contrast to the rich gingerbread flavors.
- Beverage Pairings:
- Zinfandel: Its bold, spicy notes and fruity undertones complement the warm spices in gingerbread, adding depth to the flavor profile.
- Bourbon Cream: The rich, vanilla-infused creaminess of bourbon cream echoes the gingerbread spices, making for a decadent pairing.
- Other Pairings:
- Ginger snaps: Add a double dose of ginger for those who love bold spice.
- Dried figs: Their natural sweetness and chewy texture pair well with gingerbread’s spice.
- Apple slices: Fresh and crisp, apples lighten the richness and offer a refreshing contrast.
- Himalayan Pink Salt & Cracked Pepper Mixed Nuts
- Cheese Pairings:
- Asiago (Hard): Sharp and nutty, Asiago provides a bold contrast to the saltiness and peppery bite, enhancing both flavors.
- Parmesan (Hard): Its intense umami flavor complements the salt and pepper without overpowering the natural taste of the nuts.
- Camembert (Soft): Soft and creamy, Camembert’s mild flavor adds balance to the bold salt and pepper profile.
- Beverage Pairings:
- Syrah/Shiraz: This bold, peppery wine enhances the cracked pepper's spiciness, while the fruitiness balances the saltiness.
- Margarita: The salty rim of the margarita echoes the salt in the nuts, while the citrusy tequila adds a refreshing contrast to the peppery bite.
- Other Pairings:
- Pretzel sticks: Add a salty crunch that works well with the pepper.
- Cucumber slices: Provide a refreshing and light pairing to balance the boldness of the seasoning.
- Cherry tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, they offer a fresh contrast to the salt and spice.
- Lou’s BBQ Mixed Nuts (Seasonal)
- Cheese Pairings:
- Smoked Cheddar (Hard): The smokiness of the cheddar enhances the BBQ flavors, creating a rich, savory pairing.
- Fontina (Semi-soft): Mild and creamy, Fontina balances the bold BBQ flavors with its smooth texture.
- Colby Jack (Semi-soft): This cheese is creamy and mild, with a slight tang that complements the sweetness and smokiness of BBQ.
- Beverage Pairings:
- Pinot Noir: Light-bodied with earthy and fruity notes, Pinot Noir complements the smoky, sweet BBQ flavors without overwhelming them.
- Old Fashioned: The smoky, bourbon-infused Old Fashioned adds depth to the BBQ spices, enhancing the richness of the nuts.
- Other Pairings:
- Grilled pineapple slices: Sweet and juicy, they pair perfectly with the smoky BBQ flavors.
- Cornbread crackers: Offer a slightly sweet and crumbly texture that complements BBQ seasoning.
- Carrot sticks: Add a healthy crunch and slight sweetness to balance the BBQ spices.
- Peppermint Cocoa Mixed Nuts (Seasonal)
- Cheese Pairings:
- Beaufort (Hard): Its nutty and slightly sweet flavor enhances the cooling mint and rich cocoa. The firm texture contrasts nicely with the creaminess of the nuts.
- Fontina (Semi-soft): This mild and creamy cheese provides a rich contrast to the peppermint, balancing out the sweetness of cocoa.
- Creamy Havarti (Semi-soft): Soft and buttery, this cheese blends well with the cool peppermint and smooth chocolate flavors.
- Fresh Ricotta (Soft): The light and slightly sweet flavor of ricotta offers a refreshing contrast to the boldness of the peppermint and cocoa.
- Beverage Pairings:
- Red Moscato: The sweetness of Red Moscato enhances the cocoa notes, while the fruity flavors balance the peppermint.
- White Russian: The creaminess of this cocktail perfectly complements the richness of cocoa and smoothness of the nuts, making it an indulgent pairing.
- Other Pairings:
- Whole wheat pretzels: Adds a wholesome crunch that contrasts with the soft cheeses and smooth mixed nuts.
- Apple slices: Fresh and crisp, they lighten the sweetness and offer a refreshing bite.
- Salt & Vinegar Mixed Nuts (Seasonal)
- Cheese Pairings:
- Feta (Semi-soft, crumbly): The salty and tangy feta amplifies the sharpness of the vinegar, creating a harmonious salty-tart contrast.
- Goat Cheese (Soft): Creamy and tangy, goat cheese softens the acidity of the vinegar and adds a smooth texture.
- Pecorino Romano (Hard): This sharp and salty cheese provides a bold counterpoint to the tanginess of the salt and vinegar.
- Beverage Pairings:
- Sauvignon Blanc: Its high acidity complements the vinegar's sharpness and enhances the nutty elements.
- Dirty Martini: The briny olive flavor complements the salt and vinegar, while the smoothness of the cocktail cuts through the sharpness.
- Manzanilla Sherry: This dry and nutty sherry pairs well with the tangy and salty flavor profile of the nuts, creating a rich yet balanced taste.
- Other Pairings:
- Whole grain crackers: Add a wholesome, nutty crunch to complement the sharp flavors.
- Kale chips: Light and crispy, they provide a healthier alternative while enhancing the salty tang.
- Cherry tomatoes: Their sweetness offers a counterpoint to the acidity of the salt and vinegar.
- Vanilla Spiced Mixed Nuts (Seasonal)
- Cheese Pairings:
- Triple Cream Brie (Soft): The rich creaminess of brie complements the warm vanilla and spice notes, adding indulgence to the pairing.
- Ricotta (Soft): Light and mildly sweet, ricotta enhances the vanilla while adding a refreshing texture.
- Gruyère (Semi-hard): With its nutty and slightly sweet flavor, Gruyère adds depth to the vanilla and spices without overpowering them.
- Beverage Pairings:
- Chardonnay: A buttery, vanilla-infused Chardonnay enhances the sweetness of vanilla, while its oak notes add a complex layer to the pairing.
- Spiced Rum Punch: The warm spices in the punch mirror the cinnamon and allspice in the nuts, creating a harmonious and festive combination.
- Other Pairings:
- Cinnamon bagel chips: Provide a sweet, crunchy texture that enhances the spiced flavors.
- Sliced pears: Sweet and juicy, pears complement the vanilla and spice while adding a refreshing element.
- Dried apple rings: Offer a chewy texture and mild sweetness that work well with the warm spices.