When it comes to crafting a memorable event, the right food and drink combinations can make all the difference. Whether you’re hosting a wedding, corporate gathering, or intimate celebration, pairing coffee with delicious bites can elevate the experience for your guests. Cold brew coffee, with its smooth, low-acidity profile, is especially versatile for pairing, complementing a range of flavors beautifully.
At Little Flask, we’ve crafted three distinct cold brew flavors – Classic Cold Brew, Cold Brew Oat Latte, and Cold Brew Oat Vanilla Latte – each with its own unique taste that can be paired to enhance your menu. Here’s a guide to pairing these flavors with the perfect foods to create an unforgettable flavor experience.
1. Classic Cold Brew: Bold and Versatile
Our Classic Cold Brew is smooth and bold with rich coffee notes. It’s made by steeping high-quality coffee beans in cold water, which gives it a smooth finish with natural sweetness and low acidity. This makes it a fantastic pairing for both savory and sweet foods, enhancing the flavors without overpowering them.
Best Pairings:
- Dark Chocolate: The bitterness of dark chocolate complements the robust flavor of cold brew, creating a balanced and indulgent experience.
- Almond Croissants: The nutty, buttery flavor of almond pairs beautifully with the depth of cold brew, making for a delicious and sophisticated combination.
- Savory Cheeses: Try pairing cold brew with aged gouda, sharp cheddar, or blue cheese. The smoothness of cold brew offsets the sharpness of the cheese, creating a balanced flavor profile.
- Roasted Nuts and Seeds: A snack bowl of almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds provides a savory, crunchy companion to cold brew’s smooth, bold flavor.
Pairing our Classic Cold Brew with these foods is a simple yet effective way to bring out the richness of both your coffee and food options, making it perfect for a refined, coffee-forward event experience.
2. Cold Brew Oat Latte: Creamy and Subtle
Our Cold Brew Oat Latte is a dairy-free delight with the smooth texture of oat milk. It’s lighter and slightly sweeter than the Classic Cold Brew, thanks to the natural sweetness of oats. This flavor is perfect for guests who prefer a creamy coffee but are avoiding dairy. Its milder taste makes it a versatile pairing option for both pastries and savory bites.
Best Pairings:
- Vanilla Scones: The mild sweetness of vanilla scones pairs wonderfully with the oat latte’s creamy profile, creating a subtly sweet, comforting experience.
- Apple Tarts: The tartness of apples and the buttery crust are balanced by the smoothness of the oat latte, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Smoked Salmon Canapés: The mild flavor of the oat latte doesn’t overpower the delicate taste of smoked salmon, making it a surprising yet delightful pairing for brunch events.
- Mild Cheeses: Soft cheeses like brie or camembert offer a creamy texture that aligns with the smoothness of the oat latte, while adding a touch of richness.
Offering Cold Brew Oat Latte with these items creates a relaxed, creamy coffee experience that’s accessible and enjoyable for all your guests, especially those who enjoy a lighter, milk-based coffee.
3. Cold Brew Oat Vanilla Latte: Sweet and Delightful
Our Cold Brew Oat Vanilla Latte has a subtle hint of vanilla that provides a touch of sweetness without being overly sugary. The vanilla flavor is perfectly balanced, making it a lovely addition to dessert tables or any event where guests might want a sweeter option. This flavor pairs especially well with baked goods and fruit-forward items.
Best Pairings:
- Chocolate Chip Cookies: The classic pairing of coffee and chocolate gets a modern twist with vanilla-flavored cold brew, making it a comforting yet indulgent experience.
- Lemon Bars: The tanginess of lemon complements the sweetness of the vanilla, creating a refreshing and unexpected pairing that guests will love.
- Fruit Tarts: A berry or peach tart brings out the subtle sweetness of the vanilla oat latte, offering a well-rounded dessert pairing.
- Cinnamon Rolls: The warmth of cinnamon works beautifully with the sweet notes of vanilla, making this pairing perfect for brunches or morning events.
For dessert lovers, the Cold Brew Oat Vanilla Latte paired with these sweet treats creates an elegant coffee and dessert experience, providing a delicious conclusion to any meal.
How to Set Up a Perfect Coffee and Pairing Station at Your Event
Once you’ve chosen your coffee and food pairings, setting up a coffee station that’s both functional and stylish is key. Here are a few tips for creating a setup that’s easy for guests to navigate and visually appealing:
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Label Each Flavor and Pairing: Set up small signs for each cold brew flavor and pairing suggestion. This lets guests know what flavors are available and which foods are suggested pairings.
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Create a Flow: Arrange the flasks and food items so that guests can move easily from one flavor and pairing station to the next. This works especially well for larger events where guests can explore and sample different options.
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Add Personal Touches: Little details, like adding napkins with your event branding or including a fun sign with your favorite coffee quote, make the coffee station feel more personalized and engaging.
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Encourage Exploration: Invite guests to mix and match pairings. Some may enjoy pairing savory items with the oat latte or trying chocolate with the Cold Brew Oat Vanilla Latte. Providing a few extra options creates a fun, interactive experience for guests to enjoy.
Elevate Your Event with Perfectly Paired Cold Brew
Offering a variety of cold brew flavors with well-chosen food pairings is a small but impactful way to make your event unique and memorable. Little Flask’s ready-to-drink cold brew options make it easy to create an elegant coffee station without needing barista services or additional equipment – simply display the flasks, set up your food pairings, and let your guests enjoy.
If you’re ready to bring these cold brew pairings to your next event, explore our Party Pack for bulk orders or our Sampler for smaller gatherings. With Little Flask, creating a coffee experience your guests will love is easier than ever.