The days are growing longer, the flowers are starting to bloom and the ice has finally melted. This can only mean one thing, Spring has finally arrived. With the warm weather upon us, it is only prudent that the team here at Cigars.com put together a list of the best cigar and drink pairings for you to enjoy.
Moscow Mule – Camacho Scorpion
The Moscow Mule is a cocktail that dates back to the 1940s, but has seen a huge resurgence recently. It is a fresh and crisp beverage that combines vodka, ginger beer, lime juice, and a dash of mint. It is most often served in a copper mug. This clean and tasty drink has become a regular for summertime brunches and outdoor bars. The Camacho Scorpion matched up very well with the Mule, both for its smooth aroma and the bit of zest from the sun grown wrapper, which pairs very well with the zing of the ginger beer.
Whiskey Sour – Boneshaker Boneyard
The Whiskey Sour is an age-old drink that was a favorite of both the Greatest Generation and, currently, hip millennials. It is essentially what its name states, whiskey mixed with lemon juice and sugar for that sweet and tart taste. It has been a staple of cocktail lounges for years and due to the variety of high-end whiskey available now, it's more popular then ever. We chose the new Boneshaker Boneyard for this pairing. The spicy quality of the cigar went well with the initial spice from the Whiskey followed by a smooth sweetness for a roller coaster of a pairing.
Mint Julep - Herrera Estelí Brazilian Maduro
A signature drink of the south, a Mint Julep has been a beloved cocktail since the days of the American Revolution. It combines bourbon, simple syrup, mint, and crushed ice. Its simple ingredients and refreshing qualities have made it a staple of the south for hundreds of years. Every year during the Kentucky Derby, my friends and I gather around for a round of Juleps. For this pairing, I looked to the brand new Herrera Esteli Brazilian maduro. Its mixture of smooth, spicy, and sweet turned out to be a fantastic companion for the Mint Julep.
Gin Genie – Archetype Axis Mundi
As we were searching for springtime drinks, we came across one we had never heard of but were intrigued nonetheless. The Gin Genie is a unique cocktail that combines gin, syrup, lime juice, crushed ice, and something known as sloe gin. Sloe gin is a liquor that mixes gin with sloe, a strange dark fruit known for its tart taste. All these mix together for a rich, strong, and refreshing beverage that will melt the heart of gin drinkers everywhere. We went with the rich and delicious Axis Mundi from Archetype for this pairing and the results were fantastic. The rich and woody taste from the cigar went up well with the gin as well as a slight sweet spice.
Whiskey Smash – Acid Cold Infusion
The Whiskey Smash is essentially the New York answer to the Mint Julep. It has a very similar makeup, except for the addition of lemon wedges for an added sweet and tart taste. This balances out the strong mint and bourbon flavor creating a refreshing and well-balanced beverage. The Acid Gold Cold Infusion was the perfect partner for the Smash. It is mellow, smooth, and crisp with some tremendous herbal and floral notes that fit right in with this springtime beverage.