Decadence at its finest—when paired well, the combination of liquor and chocolate creates a burst of flavor in your mouth, as each one complements the other’s notes. The right liquor choice won’t overpower your chocolate. Instead, it unveils layers of flavors you wouldn’t otherwise notice. Let’s discuss what to know about pairing liquor with chocolate and prepare our palates for a fabulous experience.
Rum
Rum and chocolate make sense since they are both created in the Caribbean, thanks to cacao farms and sugarcane.
Warm, spicy chocolates and also fruity ones pair well with rum. It only makes sense they would get along since rum is fruity and spicy itself.
And, no, rum isn’t only for pirates. Try it yourself by tasting a lighter milk chocolate with your lighter rums and darker chocolate with dark rum.
Bourbon
Listen, if you’ve ever tried a velvety bourbon that leaves your tongue tasting like it had a spoonful of melted caramel, then you understand it only makes sense to pair bourbon with chocolate.
The caramel flavor adds a great touch, but bourbons also have a smokiness about them that brings out the best in chocolate.
Just as a bourbon makes the perfect old fashioned with an orange peel, we recommend chocolate-dipped orange slices or chocolate-covered cherries with your bourbon.
Scotch Whiskey
For scotch lovers, they can’t comprehend why one wouldn’t love scotch. For those whose palate tastes only the medicinal notes (reminding them of something similar to iodine), well, they find scotch fans puzzling.
Either way, we recommend both groups give chocolate and scotch a try. Here’s why—an excellent mint and chocolate combination will come to life in your mouth when the medicinal and smoky flavors of scotch hit the tongue.
We aren’t here to judge; rather, we want to help. Give it a try, and surprise your taste buds.
Tequila
Yes, tequila pairs well with more than just tacos, lime, and flip flops.
Try a sip with a square of chocolate and enjoy how tequila—with its blue agave notes—brings out the creamy richness in just about any chocolate.
Surprise the bartender as you dramatically push aside the lime for your next tequila shot and rebelliously whip out a piece of chocolate instead (drama optional).
In conclusion, the best way to pair liquor with chocolate is to try out different combos to see how they taste. Eat and drink what you love, and if you love both liquor and chocolate, it’s time to introduce them. This could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
