7 Mesmerising Cheese and Drink Pairings You Probably Didn't Know About

Cheese, cheese and more cheese... But it takes two to make cheese go right ;) So what drink should you choose? 

The answer is simple... Whatever is your preference really :)

When it comes to cheese, most people naturally put wine and cheese in the same sentence. The cheese-and-wine partnership is rightfully famous. Many would opt for a glass of red wine to enjoy the beautiful plate of cheese. But what happens when you are NOT a wine lover? 

Well, this may or may not come as a surprise to you, but there are many, and we mean MANY drink options including non-alcoholic beverages, that work wonders with cheese! Hence, in case you are pregnant, breastfeeding or maybe underage, you can still enjoy a cheese platter with other than wine drink. 

In the next few lines we will reveal how the complex flavours of cocktails or even a simple bubbly soft drink paired with creamy cheese is a whole other culinary experience of its own. 

Are you ready? 

We've invested hours and hours reading blogs, checking out cheese, liquor experts, cocktail experts in order to prepare this revolutionary post! Here are 7 mesmerising cheese and drink pairings You probably didn't know about. 

And actually, before we move forward we want to set a few simple rules. Trying different combinations maybe scary... you may feel uncertain... or you may even cringe after a first bite. But here is what we say...

If it tastes good, then continue on with it. If it tastes bad, stop and choose another. And don't forget, this is an adventure. Enjoy it! 

Here is the first combo we recommend to start with (if you haven't done so yet).

Beer with Cheddar Cheese

Did you know that beer and cheese make a great pair? In fact, they are a much better match than most might think. Often beer has a highly complex taste with such a refreshing carbonation. Hence, the carbonation works very well with cheese, especially cheddar, as it cuts through the denseness and richness of cheese.

We all know and love cheddar. It is the classically versatile mild, sharp and extra sharp cheese of British, and most of us cannot resist to it. Pair aged versions of this wonderful cheese, mix in some cheddar with chives or the smoked one and you do have a winner of the night! The combo is sharply bitter, pungent, earthy, creamy, sweet, and often the object of palate envy. 

Believe it or not, it has been mentioned that beer pairs also very well with Parmesan, Havarti, Gruyere, Goats cheese, Blue, Stilton, Gorgonzolas, Manchego and even Feta cheese! Are you ready to give it a go?

Cocktails with Gouda, Emmental or Blue Cheese

Who could resist a lovely, refreshing, colourful, filled with various tastes cocktail during warm summer evenings? And now imagine enjoying this with a Star Grazing cheese platter? Yeah, we know! 

It’s actually pretty simple what makes cocktails so great for cheese pairing: there is an infinite combination of spirits and components to mix and match, so you can find your perfect pairing with any cheese (well, almost any :) )

It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure game where every path ends with a cocktail in your hand and slice of cheese in your mouth. Sounds like a win-win to us! Agree?

The complex flavours in cheese contrast mixes nicely with cocktails, which can be sweet, sour, thin or creamy - the choice is yours! Refreshing, strong, sour, sweet or bitter – and with plenty of complexity in flavour. You can enjoy cheeses with Mojito, Margarita, Manhattan, various cocktails with gin and even Bloody Mary!

Hence, flex your cheese pairing muscles and get creative, try one of our Star Grazing boxes, make that cocktail and enjoy! Don't forget to share your creations with us. 

Port with Blue Stilton Cheese 

You might think we are cheating... since port is kinda a wine. and yet, this is a combination worth mentioning. Here is why... 

We didn't know, but the two have been paired for thousands of years to create an enjoyable experience of the senses. When matching port and cheese, we have to take into account the texture of the cheese, the intensity, the wine to make sure we create a perfect marriage between the two. 

Port offers an array of comforting flavours, from sweet and fruity to rich and nutty. Common flavours include ripe berries and figs, raisins and toasted almonds. Since cheese has a savoury and sometimes salty kick, it contrasts beautifully with the port’s sweetness and, we believe, matches its power beautifully. 

Vintage ports need a powerful cheese that can hold its own against the strength of this remarkable wine, therefore, Blue Stilton does a great job in this combination. 

Soft Drinks and Flavoured Goats Cheese

This one is for all under-aged cheese lovers who want to enjoy cheeseboard experience. Who would've ever thought that non-alcoholic drinks can work well with cheese?

Not us for sure! But recently discovered that soft drinks naturally go very well with cheese because of the carbonation. If you try this combo you will see that the little bubbles lift the fat from your tongue, refreshing your palate.

New. Refreshing. Exciting! Trust us! Try it with various citrus flavoured drinks - you will not regret it. 

Also, let's not leave behind a real classic - apple juice. The sweet, crisp flavour of apple juice goes well with the creamy and rich camembert, brie and flavoured goats cheese. If you want to spruce up the pairing, try it carbonated (Cidona is a real hit). Or simply add a carbonated cider or sparkling pear juice in the mix. The light bouquet of juice fruits will help cut the thickness of these soft and gooey cheeses.

A sharper cheese, like Manchego, also pair well with a grape juice. In the same fashion, it can’t hurt to add a carbonated beverage to the juice for some bubbles. Cheese is very well complimented complemented by the tart, sweet flavour of a grape juice.

Cider with Matured Cheddar and Gouda Cheese

Cider, very same as beer, are natural partners with cheese. Although many may argue that wine is the common companion during a cheese tasting, cider makes a pretty decent rival. With its refreshing, bubbly taste, cider acts as a great palate cleanser in between bites.

Most ciders are fruity and slightly sweet, and that is why they complement opposing notes, like those found in and matured cheese. This is especially true for thick, rich cheeses. A carbonate beverage like cider helps cut through the fattiness and high salt content of a rich cheese, which balances out the flavour. 

Pair your old fashioned with a hardy aged cheddar or aged gouda, toss some roasted nuts into a ramekin on the side for some crunch and you’ve got your evening plans sorted.

Our personal recommendation is fruity cheddar cheese found in Star Grazing boxes paired with berry or pear cider. The contrasting flavours would come alive together and would leave you fully satisfied. 

Gin with Goats Cheese and Brie

Any gin drink combination naturally pairs so well with soft cheese. It is without a doubt one of our favourite cheese pairing spirits whether you’re having it in a cocktail, or just a simple gin and tonic.

We recommend pairing gin with smooth, creamy cheeses like goats or brie cheeses. The floral and botanical profile of most gins can help balance the rich, decadent flavour of many soft cheeses. The perfumed, herbal quality of gin (we would always go for our local Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin) which matches with the soft and herbal taste of goat cheese. 

There is no better way than spending warm summer evening a refreshing gin & tonic. Add a splash of tonic water and a citrus wedge and soak in the sun. Gunpowder Gin’s bright personality is a perfect partner for goat cheese that you will find in Star Grazing boxes. The lactic tang of a young chèvre keeps the pairing breezy. 

Champagne with Baby Swiss, Brie or Camembert Cheese

Champagne, or let's be real here, - usually just a sparkling wine —has been the toast of choice for special celebrations for centuries. And with grazing boxes getting more popular in Ireland by the day, no celebration is complete without cheese… at the end of the day, you’re going to need some food to go along with any alcoholic beverage.

We have discovered that champagne (or sparkling wine) pairs well with buttery and earthy foods. It stands to reason, then, that triple-cream soft cheeses (brie, Camembert) is the perfect match…They really are!

And to add to the list, Baby Swiss, with its lightly nutty and much more buttery flavour, is a natural partner for fizzy wines like Champagne, prosecco and other sparklers. 

Hence, these cheeses bring out its fruitiness and freshness, especially when it comes to brut, such as Moët & Chandon Brut. And since cheese is delightfully salty and rich, that makes it a perfect pair for champagne. 

And so - here it is! 7 Mesmerising Cheese and Drink Pairings You Probably Didn't Know About (or maybe you did?). But they are really worth trying out! Would love to hear your feedback and see your own creations! 

What's your dream cheese and cocktail pairing?