Emma Radebaugh
When you think about food and drink pairings, your mind probably jumps to fancy combos, like juicy steak and sparkling red wine. But not all food and drink pairings need to be luxurious and decadent. Sometimes, you just want to munch on a snack and sip on your favorite cheap liquor. For those searching for mouthwatering combos that scream ‘late night snack’ instead of ‘elegant restaurant dinner,’ here are some of the best snack and drink combos.
Banana, Peanut Butter, and Sweet Rum
If you want the perfect combination of sweet and savory, pair some peanut butter-covered banana chunks with your choice of sweet rum the next time you need something to munch on. The sweet rum offers a flavor similar to the honey or jelly smeared on Elvis Presley’s variation on the classic banana and peanut butter sandwich. On that note, Elvis liked bacon on his sandwiches—and bacon also happens to go well with sweet rum. You can even marinate strips in pineapple rum for an extra punch of flavor.
Cheese and Beer
Everyone’s heard of cheese and wine, but cheese and beer is another one of the best snack and drink combos. Beer goes well with just about everything, including cheese—mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, gouda, feta, brie—you name it. There are plenty of techniques for creating a great cheese and beer pairing. Hold up, you might say—isn’t cheese technically sort of fancy? If you’re eating it straight from an artisanal wheel, sure, but cheese can make the perfect bite-sized snack food, too. Try pairing your favorite beer with some instant mac and cheese, tortilla chips drenched in cheese dip, or a slapdash grilled cheese for a life-changing experience.
Chips, Guacamole and Lemonade (Hard or Regular)
Most people will squeeze a bit of lemon on top of their guac to enhance the flavor. If lemon juice and guac is already a fan-favorite combo, it only makes sense that lemonade and guac would make an equally delicious matchup. The next time you snack on chips and guac, grab an ice-cold lemonade (either hard or non-alcoholic) from the fridge and bask in the glory of this incredible blend of salty, spicy, and sweet flavors.
