CC Drink Pairings

[Redgoldband]

 

I’m looking to be more intentional about my cigar and drink pairings. I live in Los Angeles and 50% of the time I would be enjoying said drinks outside. Saying this as ambience/weather might factor into folks’ ideas. Provided below are my go-to’s. What CC’s do folks recommend for the following:

 

Year-round:

Cognac

Old fashioned

Champagne

Coffee

 

Summer:

Margarita

Caipirinha

 

I also welcome other drink options (and pairings) I have not listed.

 

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[jhalischuk]

Usually espresso. Root beer is nice too. 

[fisherclive]

Cream Soda 

Paloma 

Tom Collins 

Iced coffee 

[Jerryvonkramer]

A good rum (eg Mount Gay XO) either neat with ice or mixed with Canada Dry Ginger Beer.

Coffee

flat white 

Root beer

Coke Zero / Pepsi Max

Tea 

 

I find whiskey can fight with the cigar depending on the whiskey and the cigar 

[BrightonCorgi]

You have a solid list as it is. I'd offer Oloroso or Amontillado sherry, any Madeira, or well done CA Chard.

[teamrandr]

Kombucha

[MrBirdman]

Only thing I could add to your list is my personal favorite, black tea.

[Edicion]

Strong sweet dessert wines like Port, but also red wines with grapes such as Primitivo.

 

[GaryK 54]

Sparkling water is a good choice to enjoy the cigar flavours without competing against beverages with flavour. Another unusual but surprisingly good pairing is orange juice. I know, I know, it sounds crazy, but one of the older FOH videos with Rob, Smithy and Ken explored pairing various beverages with CC and hands down, OJ was near the top of the list. Try it out... you might be surprised.

[Ford2112]

Tonic and lime can be great. I also like to mix sparkling water and martinellis peach cider. So good. 

[Li Bai]

This is very subjective but you have a solid list here indeed. Imo champagne is an incredible pairing that almost never disappoints but in the end you'll have to find out for yourself.

[JohnS]

I mainly have black coffee with my cigars, but your four year-round drinks match mine perfectly! 😉

[BigGuns]

Thank you for another opportunity to suggest pairing cigars with the fine nectar of the agave plant - Tequila. I see margaritas on your list, but I invite you to 86 the limes and triple sec, Cointreau and Grand Marnier, and any fruit or whatnot you choose and try the tequila straight. Neat is preferred, but feel free to add a cube perhaps to open it up, if you need to. 

There are a slew of artisanal brands on the market that are doing it right, without additives (or minimal to the point of still being allowed to have the “100% Agave” stamp). While I tend to prefer Blancos for their purity in flavor and representation of the agave from which they came, I would suggest starting with reposados or anejos if you’re diving in for the first time. They are a natural transition for whiskey or wine drinkers as the different tequilerias source used bourbon, scotch, and wine barrels for their aging. You will pick up some of the caramel/vanilla/butterscotch notes while still enjoying the agave flavor. 

Some brand suggestions - Número 123, 7 Lequas, Casa Noble, Fortaleza, El Tequileno, Tequila Ocho. There are dozens more that I would happily suggest if desired. Once you have found a reposado or anejo of those lines that you enjoy, pick up their blanco to taste the true essence of that particular brand. I find that, contrary to what I believe is popular opinion, Tequila compliments cigars rather than overpowers them, even the lighter-bodied lines. 

¡Salud!

[Redgoldband]

Excellent suggestions and commentary, friends! Many thanks.


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[Redgoldband]

8 hours ago, BigGuns said:

Thank you for another opportunity to suggest pairing cigars with the fine nectar of the agave plant - Tequila. I see margaritas on your list, but I invite you to 86 the limes and triple sec, Cointreau and Grand Marnier, and any fruit or whatnot you choose and try the tequila straight. Neat is preferred, but feel free to add a cube perhaps to open it up, if you need to. 
There are a slew of artisanal brands on the market that are doing it right, without additives (or minimal to the point of still being allowed to have the “100% Agave” stamp). While I tend to prefer Blancos for their purity in flavor and representation of the agave from which they came, I would suggest starting with reposados or anejos if you’re diving in for the first time. They are a natural transition for whiskey or wine drinkers as the different tequilerias source used bourbon, scotch, and wine barrels for their aging. You will pick up some of the caramel/vanilla/butterscotch notes while still enjoying the agave flavor. 
Some brand suggestions - Número 123, 7 Lequas, Casa Noble, Fortaleza, El Tequileno, Tequila Ocho. There are dozens more that I would happily suggest if desired. Once you have found a reposado or anejo of those lines that you enjoy, pick up their blanco to taste the true essence of that particular brand. I find that, contrary to what I believe is popular opinion, Tequila compliments cigars rather than overpowers them, even the lighter-bodied lines. 
¡Salud!

Appreciate the insight on this. About a few years ago, I recently got into margaritas after moving to LA. Part of the reason for this is being introduced to more high-quality tequilas. Didn’t know they’d pair so well with CC’s!

Rum makes sense to me, too. I was in the Bahamas last year enjoying Cubans and rum-based drinks, and the pairing was just awesome.


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[Nevrknow]

Here in the South, margaritas are also known as Summer Water. 😂

[BrightonCorgi]

3 hours ago, Redgoldband said:

Rum makes sense to me, too. I was in the Bahamas last year enjoying Cubans and rum-based drinks, and the pairing was just awesome.

Try making Massachusetts official drink; Scorpion Bowl.

[Rhod]

It's Scotch for me. Every night. I do admit I've been having thoughts of finding something non-alcohol to change things up. I don't drink enough that I even get buzzed, but I'm sure nightly alcohol is probably not recommended.

By the way, best Scotch for the money is Monkey Shoulder, in my opinion.

[GolfGuy303]

I pair with scotch most days. If you have the chance to enjoy the Serie D with Dalmore Cigar malt...by themselves they are both amazing put them together  and you cannot go wrong. 

Morning stick with a espresso or americano great as well in my opinion. 

[teewinot]

Monkey Shoulder-yes. Good call

 

[cigaraholic]

I’m surprised no one mentioned rum. Another afternoon favorite of mine is Mosel, and I love certain cigars with Sauternes.

 

[Redgoldband]

20 minutes ago, cigaraholic said:

I’m surprised no one mentioned rum. Another afternoon favorite of mine is Mosel, and I love certain cigars with Sauternes.

Rum was mentioned earlier. In fact, on the recommendation of a few, I just test-ran a drink I made on the fly: rum, orange juice, and a splash of pomegranate grenadine. I can definitely see why a rum/rum-based drink would pair nicely with a CC. 

[Bill Hayes]

Old Fashioned - JL#2

Champagne - Cohiba Robusto. Lanceros, Esplendido

Coffee - Monte #2 #4

Dark rum - BBF

Stout - Boli PC

Party D4, short, P2 - Bourbon with a dash of coke, PX sherry with a side of sparkling water

German Heffeweizen wheat beer - Nudies Lanceros

If it's a hot day I do like a gin and tonic or a tall dry (not sweet) whisky soda with lots of ice. Sometimes I try a small different drink for each third. eg, old fashioned, bourbon on ice, black coffee. Cheers

[GaryK 54]

13 hours ago, BigGuns said:

Thank you for another opportunity to suggest pairing cigars with the fine nectar of the agave plant - Tequila. I see margaritas on your list, but I invite you to 86 the limes and triple sec, Cointreau and Grand Marnier, and any fruit or whatnot you choose and try the tequila straight. Neat is preferred, but feel free to add a cube perhaps to open it up, if you need to. 

There are a slew of artisanal brands on the market that are doing it right, without additives (or minimal to the point of still being allowed to have the “100% Agave” stamp). While I tend to prefer Blancos for their purity in flavor and representation of the agave from which they came, I would suggest starting with reposados or anejos if you’re diving in for the first time. They are a natural transition for whiskey or wine drinkers as the different tequilerias source used bourbon, scotch, and wine barrels for their aging. You will pick up some of the caramel/vanilla/butterscotch notes while still enjoying the agave flavor. 

Some brand suggestions - Número 123, 7 Lequas, Casa Noble, Fortaleza, El Tequileno, Tequila Ocho. There are dozens more that I would happily suggest if desired. Once you have found a reposado or anejo of those lines that you enjoy, pick up their blanco to taste the true essence of that particular brand. I find that, contrary to what I believe is popular opinion, Tequila compliments cigars rather than overpowers them, even the lighter-bodied lines. 

¡Salud!

@BigGuns,totally agree with you on pairing Tequila with cigars. Definitely drink it neat! Fortaleza is my favourite. Never disappoints.

[Redgoldband]

As I think about this more, I'm wondering if the environment and where one smokes (e.g., outside or inside, weather, season, other conditions) influence folks' drink selections they pair with CCs. If so, to what degree and how?