Editor’s Note: This article was written by Alexa Wilkinson, a member of our Wholesale Team at Murray’s
It’s that time of year when the cold weather sets in, the last bit of fall leaves cling to their branches, you adorn your pet in a cute flannel sweater, and we go on the hunt for the perfect winter cocktail! At Murray’s, we always strive to find a yummy buddy for your seasonal concoction. And in our opinion, cheese is the perfect drinking companion.
One beautiful Champagne cocktail comes to mind: the Arbor Blush, a citrusy seasonal drink from The Peacock in NYC, is made with ½ oz of Pisco (a South American Brandy), 1 oz of Lillet Rose, and topped with any Champagne your heart desires. We suggest garnishing with a thin, curly lime peel and a couple of thinly sliced grapes, but whatever works for your Instagram feed, garnish away!
Pairing this gorgeous and bright Champagne cocktail with an oozy, decadent, salty triple crème couldn’t be more fitting. Because of the sweeter flavors in the cocktail, selecting a nice salty cheese to balance it makes perfect pairing sense! For this, the obvious choice is Delice De Bourgogne with its delightfully salted whipped cream, and mushroomy, buttery goodness. This 7 oz round of delight is perfect when shared between two, and small enough to take on any trip where Champagne may be.
So now that you’ve started an evening of decadence and frivolity with some bubbly, where do you go from there? We think a Hot Toddy is the right move. Great to end a night with, great as an après ski beverage, and perfect on those very cold winter days when a cup of tea needs a kick from its old pal bourbon. And yes, while you could go traditional on this one, we think this Yule Tide Toddy is sure to get you in the winter warmer spirit.
This spin on an old classic comes to us from Austin, Texas and includes Marker’s Mark Bourbon, Amaro Abano, maple syrup, Apple Bitters, and a cinnamon stick garnish. So while we have some distinct bitter flavors, we also have the bold sweetness of maple and the smooth brown sugar & vanilla notes of bourbon.
A fitting pairing would be the Gruyere Alpage Moleson. Like a great oak-aged bourbon, this Gruyere only gets better with age. Instead of the classic 6 months of age a typical Gruyere gets, this seasonal beauty is aged for 18! With that comes a concentrated, robust flavor of salted butterscotch and crispy bacon. If you really want to warm up your evening, you can blend this with some 2 year Comte and 18 month Emmentaler for a fantastic fondue! Enjoy that with some Trois Petits Cochons Cornichons and thick cuts of Sweetheart Ham and you’ll be one happy winter camper.
This is the perfect time of year to dress up your old favorites! So even if Champagne isn’t your thing, or a Hot Toddy isn’t what you need, remember that there’s always a cheese out there to join you for your holiday adventure. We hope you feel inspired and hungry, and most of all, we hope you enjoy these delicious pairings with family and friends!
Cheers!
