Cocktail Pairings for Patio Season

It’s that time of year again—and thank goodness for it! Time to get outside, pour yourself a cold drink and soak up the summer heat. Chocolate makes your favourite cocktails taste even better, of course, so here are our favourite pairings for serving and sipping. Cheers! 

Maître tip: As the temperatures soar, be sure to follow this guide for storing your chocolate.

Berry Basil Smash + Lindt Excellence Sea Salt Dark Chocolate

Keep your summer cool with a refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for poolside lounging. The slight sweetness and hint of saltiness of the dark chocolate pairs well with the savoury nature of the basil and sweet notes of the strawberries. The freshness of the lime and the bubbles from the soda add a lightness and effervescence to round out the flavours. 

Berry Basil Smash

Ingredients 

• 2 large strawberries
• 3 large basil leaves
• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• Soda

Make it In a shaker, muddle (crush) the strawberries and basil. Add all ingredients except soda and shake with ice. Double strain into a glass with fresh ice and top with soda. Stir and garnish with a strawberry before enjoying in a Collins or small highball glass.

Aperol Spritz + Lindt Excellence Orange Intense Dark Chocolate

Aperol is on the sweeter side of typical Italian liqueurs but still has an herbaceous flavour with notes of orange, wood and rhubarb. The smooth tannins and citrus flavour of Lindt Excellence Orange Intense, which is complemented perfectly by Aperol’s rich and somewhat bitter notes of orange oil and grapefruit, make this dark chocolate a natural match for the popular apéritif. Prep the Aperol Spritz like a pro by combining 2 oz. of Aperol with 2 oz. of Prosecco and pouring into a large wine glass filled with large ice cubes. Top with sparkling mineral water, which opens up all of the flavours, and garnish with an orange slice.

Iced Fruit-Flavoured Black Tea + Lindt Excellence Coconut Dark Chocolate

The lovely texture and round flavours (due to coconut’s rich nature) of this dark chocolate is perfectly balanced with the tannins in the black tea. Since the tea is also fruit-forward, with natural notes of mango, lychee and lemongrass, the luscious tropical flavour profile of this combo is only enhanced with the added acidity of a squeeze of fresh lime. 

Try: Pluck Spadina Blend 

Tip: If you’re making a big batch for later, keep in mind it’s best to consume same-day, so the tea doesn’t oxidize and change flavour.