What Cheese Pairs Best with a Paper Plane Cocktail?

Quick take: pair a Paper Plane cocktail with an ashed Chevriou

Ashed chevriou pairs best with the Paper Plane cocktail

In our cheese + cocktail pairing project, I combine my cocktail know-how with the encyclopedic cheese knowledge of Jennifer Greco of Chez Loulou for a series of classic cocktail and cheese pairings.

With a lot of heavy circumstances happening around us, we wanted to focus on something cheerful and happy for the summer, so for July, we paired with the bright orange Paper Plane. 

Chez Loulou always puts together the best cheese boards

July Pairing: Paper Plane Cocktail with an ashed Chevriou

Tips, Tricks & Lessons learned:

  • We chose the Chevriou as the best pairing for the Paper Plane because the cheese really brought out a brightness in the cocktail. The pairing created the perfect combo of sweet and tart that was neither too acidic nor too cloying. The drink initially washed the flavor of the cheese away for just a second, but then it resurfaces and lingers nicely. This pairing makes for an excellent aperitif, as it makes the mouth water. 
  • In addition to the Chevriou, Langres also went well with the cocktail.
  • If you’re looking to stretch the pairing experience a little, the two other possible choices are the 2 year old Comté (brought out a nice herbal side to the cocktail) or the Fourme d’Ambert (which improved the flavor of the cocktail, though the cocktail didn’t do much for the cheese)
  • This drink is an equal parts cocktail, which makes it very easy to make (or batch for large groups), because as long as you put in equal measures, it works.
  • Nononi is an Italian amaro and you may have to order it online. (I did)
  • Paper Plane cocktail is a riff on the Last Word, so if you like that, you’ll like this. 
  • I strain my lemon juice before measuring and adding it to the shaker (rather than double straining the cocktail at the end) because it makes a more accurate and better balanced finished product.
Even though the brie didn’t work with the cocktail, it was still delicious

Paper Plane Cocktail recipe

20 ml (¾ ounce) bourbon
20 ml (¾ ounce) Aperol
20 ml (¾ ounce) Amaro Nonino
20 ml (¾ ounce) freshly squeezed lemon juice

Shake all ingredients together and strain into a chilled cocktail glass

If you’re here, I already know you like cocktails. But, if you want to learn more about these or other cheeses, I recommend some time on Jennifer’s blog and Instagram.

This cheese was almost the same color as the cocktail

Up next: What Cheese to Pair with a Mojito cocktail

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