Wine and whiskey get the lionโs share of attention when it comes to cigar pairings, and for good reason. Both drinks are delicious on their own and shine even brighter when matched with a compatible cigar. But donโt stop your pairing journey there, because classic cocktails provide another fantastic pairing opportunity for your next smoke. So break out your bar tools, then enjoy these five cocktail and cigar pairings.
OLD FASHIONED
Itโs no surprise that a whiskey-forward cocktail like the Old Fashioned goes swimmingly with cigars. If you have a favorite whiskey, start there, but when in doubt a good bourbon does the trick. Stir together bourbon, a dash of simple syrup and Angostura bitters, and you get a luxurious cocktail with hints of sweet oak and baking spices.
Pair it with: โโRomeo y Julieta 1875, an iconic cigar from an iconic brand. Its medium-bodied profile has hints of wood, leather and mild sweetness that complement the cocktail.
MANHATTAN
Another American classic, the Manhattan combines whiskey โ either bourbon or ryeโ with sweet vermouth and bitters. Itโs sweeter and richer than the Old Fashioned, but still a stout, spirit-forward drink, so you want a cigar that stands up to the potent flavors.
Pair it with: Adventura the Conqueror, a hearty cigar thatโs woody and chocolatey with natural sweetness.
CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL
There are many great Champagne cocktails in the home bartenderโs repertoire (hello, French 75), but weโre talking about the Champagne Cocktail. This 1800s favorite starts by dropping a sugar cube into a Champagne flute. Douse the cube with a few dashes of Angostura bitters, top with bubbly, and thatโs it. The drink is simple, effervescent, and tastes like more than the sum of its parts.
Pair it with: Davidoff Signature, a mild and easygoing cigar that merges floral aromas with earthy, nutty tasting notes and a creamy mouthfeel.
ESPRESSO MARTINI
This caffeinated pick-me-up combines vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso, and today itโs back in full force as drinkers have rekindled their love of the 1980s favorite. Shake the ingredients together, and you get a rich and frothy cocktail that blends sweet and bitter elements into one harmonious package that begs for a cigar.
Pair it with: Aladino Maduro, a beautiful cigar with a rich, dense smoke that complements your Espresso Martini with notes of sweet coffee, dark chocolate and black pepper.
DARK AND STORMY
You canโt โ or shouldnโt โ talk cigar pairings without mentioning rum. Straight pours of an aรฑejo will always be a smart move, but when itโs hot outside and you want a rum-spiked refreshment, look to the Dark and Stormy. It features dark rum (traditionally Goslings Black Seal rum), fresh lime and ginger beer. The rich rum and spicy ginger provide a wide base for cigar pairings, but we like something bold and full-bodied to cut through gingerโs bite.
Pair it with: Man Oโ War, an AJ Fernandez special that brings spice and oak to the party, with a subtly sweet finish.
