Do you miss something when you take a bite into a luscious cake? You need to pair your cake with the perfect drink. Elevate your experience from "delicious" to "absolutely unforgettable" with the right pairing of cake and beverages. Are you a tea lover, coffee enthusiast, or cocktail fan? Find the perfect cake for yourself with the tips provided here. Bring out the flavors in each bite and sip by matching your cake with the perfect drink that complements it.
The basics
When you pair cakes and drinks, you must focus on balancing flavors and textures. It is not just about pairing the cakes with drinks to quench your thirst. You can cut the sweetness of the cake with your drink, enhance the flavor of the cake, or even make the experience more exciting by adding contrast. You should consider finding the right pair like you find the right dance partner, who can match your moves and grooves perfectly.
Chocolate cakes
Rich, indulgent, and often decadent, chocolate cakes are the favorite of all. If you are looking for the right drink to complement the flavor of chocolate, choose a drink that can hold on its own, but not overpower the chocolaty goodness. The perfect pairings can be coffee, red wine, or even milk. The bittersweet notes of chocolate are complemented by a strong cup of coffee, whereas, red wine can create a perfect harmony with them. Milk can help in toning down the intensity of chocolate adding a nostalgic comfort.
Vanilla cakes
When it comes to vanilla cakes, chai tea, white wine, and sparkling water are the perfect drinks you can have. Vanilla cakes offer endless pairing possibilities with their light and sweet flavor that pairs with both subtle and bold drinks. The mild sweetness of vanilla cakes can contrast beautifully with the warm spices of chai tea like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. White wine can add a touch of elegance to the pairing, while sparkling water complements vanilla without overpowering it.
Red velvet cakes
The unique flavor profile of this cake needs enhancing with the perfect match. The tangy cream cheese frosting of red velvet with a hint of cocoa is complemented well by the creamy richness of hot chocolate. Would you love to add a touch of warmth to your red velvet cake while enhancing its velvety texture? Then hot chocolate is the correct option for you. You can also opt for rose champagne and milkshakes if you want.
Cheesecakes
Balance the richness and match the sophistication of cheesecakes, with the perfect drinks. The creamy texture and tangy flavor of cheesecakes need to be complemented right and green tea can be a good option. The bitter notes of green tea can easily cut through the creaminess of cheesecakes. Dessert wine and berry smoothies can also add soul to your pairing. You can add a fruity twist with berry smoothies or complement the tangy flavor with dessert wine.
Carrot cakes
The warm, earthy flavors of carrot cakes that are packed with spices and have a cream cheese frosting can be complemented by a spiced latte. A cinnamon or pumpkin spice latte complements the spicy flavor of the carrot cake. Ginger beer is another beneficial option, as the zingy flavor of the beer contrasts with the sweetness of the cake. You can also look to add a fruity depth with the addition of apple cider in your pairing.
Lemon cakes
These cakes are light, tangy, and refreshing, and pairing them with vibrant drinks can be a delight. Earl grey tea can be the perfect match, as its citrusy notes help amplify the lemony flavor of the cake. Prosecco helps in adding a bubbly brightness which pairs perfectly with lemon cakes as well. Want to double down on the citrusy flavor of your cake? Grab a lemonade with your cake and see the magic!
Coffee cakes
Coffee cakes have a crumbly outer surface and subtle sweetness which makes it your breakfast favorite. You must pair it accordingly, with morning-friendly drinks only. Black coffee and cappuccino can be the perfect pair. The buttery flavor of coffee cakes is enhanced by black coffee's boldness while cappuccino complements it by adding creaminess to it. You can also opt for a tangy contrast with orange juice.
Fruit cakes
Packed with dried fruits, nuts, and spices, fruit cakes are dense. Pairing fruit cakes with equally robust drinks is essential. Spiced rum can act as a perfect pair as it brings out the festive flavors of the cake. Mulled wine can also complement the cake, its spiced aroma and fruity notes pair perfectly with fruit cakes. English breakfast tea also makes this list, as it balances the richness and sweetness of your cake.
Cupcakes
Did you know? Pairing versatile cupcakes can be a fun activity. Milkshakes go extremely well with cupcakes as you get the option of matching the flavor of the cupcake to the milkshake. Flavored sodas can also be a good pair, adding a fizzy twist to your cupcake. Finally, a pair of boozy cupcakes and matching cocktails make an ultimate pair for a grown-up feast.
Additional tips
When pairing cakes with the ultimate drink, maintaining the balance is a key. You should look to balance flavors and avoid pairing sweet cakes with sweet drinks. Experimenting can be helpful here, as it helps you discover your new favorite. You should also think about the texture of both the cakes and drinks before pairing them.
Do you want to elevate your dessert experience? Then a worthwhile thing to do is to pair your choice of cakes with the perfect drink. Make every slice and sip in your party, get-together, or formal gatherings worthy of remembering with the perfect match of cake and drinks. So, what will you choose? Chocolate cake with red wine or lemon cake with prosecco? You have endless opportunities. Don’t forget to experiment to find the right choice that suits your taste and the occasion as well. With this blog, you can easily create a suitable pair for your favorite cake.