Cider is the perfect example of a drink option that is best enjoyed alongside a delicious meal. The addictive qualities of cider that people turn to over and over again, like juicy fruit undertones, a tannic bite, or acidic pops of flavor, are only amplified when allowed to play off the flavors of food.
Whether you are an avid cider lover or simply looking for something new to try this season, there are many delicious and easy ways to pair crisp and bubbly alcoholic ciders with tasty meals, elevating your dining experience to new levels.
The Basics
While there is a rich and diverse range of flavors in cider, the majority of them exhibit some level of fruitiness, which can be used to your advantage. The simplest rule to follow when pairing cider with food is to think about the dishes and ingredients that work well with apples.
Pork chops, cheese, butternut squash, roasted vegetables, herby risotto, and crisp-skinned poultry dishes all work well with apples and apple-based sauces. To get the most out of your cider offerings, select a richer and fruitier blend for classic fall dishes, while lighter and more floral options work best with light summer and spring meals.
Contrasting Flavors
If you are after a flavor pairing that is slightly more challenging to get right but delivers an impressive burst of flavor when perfected, you may be interested in exploring contrasting flavors that push your palate in opposing directions rather than finding ingredients that align with one another. Popular examples of this include pairing rich and hearty dishes with a more acidic drink or combining sweet and salty ingredients like popcorn and chocolate or banana bread and deli meats.
Pairing Flavors
The most common and straightforward pairing in food to match similar ingredient flavors. For example, ciders with fruit and berry undertones work beautifully with a fresh summer salad filled with fresh strawberries, salty feta cheese, and crisp lettuce leaves.
The meal will work well in amplifying the flavor profile of the cider, while the drink will champion the star ingredient of your salad. It is a pairing technique that will never steer you wrong.
Pairing Intensity
Another popular way to find good matches when pairing food and drink is to find flavor profiles that share similar intensities. This is often achieved by pairing bold and punchy ingredients with similarly bold beverages, but the same impact can be achieved on the completely opposite end of the scale.
The unique and soft flavors of light, white fish can be highlighted by the salinity and minerals of a dry, structured cider. Both options elevate the subtle flavors of one another without becoming overpowering.
Meal Pairing Ideas
While cider and cheese platters may be a popular food pairing, cider’s fresh, crisp flavor works fantastically well with a wide range of different dishes and ingredients.
Sweet & Salty Popcorn Mix
Popcorn is arguably one of the most popular snack foods worldwide. Its intense, salty flavors are incredibly morish and work fantastically well when paired with sweet caramel popcorn. Although these two flavor profiles are very different, they both pack a punch flavor-wise and require a powerful cider to match.
Ciders created using the whiskey barrel process or tart, floral, and dry ciders are both delicious options to pair with this addictive snack. Both beverages deliver enough intensity that guarantee you will be able to taste their complete flavor profile through the salty and sweet.
Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese
Everyone has their own opinion or preference when it comes to eating buffalo wings. Whether you enjoy them boneless or with the bone in, served alongside a barbeque dip or a creamy blue cheese sauce, there is no denying that they pack a powerful and often spicy flavor punch.
The ideal way to champion these flavors is to enjoy them alongside a sweeter cider pairing. The drink itself has a rich profile, but it complements the dish well without making the entire meal too overwhelming.
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
You will be hard-pressed to find a dessert easier to make than chocolate-dipped strawberries. But don’t let their simplicity fool you. The richness of milk or dark chocolate works brilliantly with the tart freshness of strawberries, showcasing a great example of contrasting flavors that work well together.
To get the most out of your meal, pair this delicious and simple dessert with a full-bodied, semi-sweet cider. The punchy, full-bodied flavor pairs well with the softer flavors of the food, while the sweet notes in the cider amplify the sweetness in the chocolate without making the entire dish sickly sweet.
Mini BLTs
There are very few food pairings that work better together than pork and apples. An easy and incredibly tasty way to incorporate it into your next party menu is to whip up mini BLTs. They require just three fresh and delicious ingredients to get right, and their small size makes the perfect finger food.
To cut the richness of the bacon and the acidity of the tomatoes, select a crisp, dry cider to pair with this dangerously addictive sandwich. Opt for a blend with a strong apple flavor base to reap the rewards of this winning combination.