How to Pair Artisan Cheeses with Your Favorite Summer Drinks

There’s nothing like a summer hangout—grilling in the backyard, drinks clinking, music humming low. But let’s level it up. If you’re still tossing plastic-wrapped cheddar singles on your burgers or defaulting to the same basic cheese board, this one’s for you.

We’re bringing artisan cheese into the summer spotlight. And no, we’re not talking about stuffy pairings with aged reds by a fireplace. This is cheese reimagined for the heat—cool, punchy, playful—and made to vibe with your favorite seasonal sips, from spritzes to spiked seltzers.

1. Washed Rind on a Burger + Ice-Cold Lager

Let’s start bold. Washed rind cheeses like Taleggio or Red Hawk are funky, rich, and melt like a dream. Slice it thick and let it ooze over a juicy burger, preferably with caramelized onions and arugula for balance.

Pair with: A crisp lager or pilsner. These beers cut through the richness, refreshing your palate between bites. Think of it as the cheese equivalent of wearing linen—light, breezy, and effortlessly cool.

Also Try: Dry Cider – Its slight sweetness and bubbles balance the funk and cut through the fat just like beer, but with a fruitier finish.

Non-Alcoholic Pairing: Ginger Beer – The spicy fizz cuts through the funk and fat beautifully, much like a pilsner would. Bonus: it's a killer burger drink.

2. Fresh Goat Cheese + Cucumber Gin Spritz

Soft, tangy goat cheese screams summer. Crumble it over watermelon salad, slather it on crostini with a drizzle of hot honey, or stuff it into mini peppers for a no-heat snack.

Pair with: A cucumber gin spritz or a botanical cocktail. The herbaceous notes of gin + the bright acidity of goat cheese = the edible version of poolside luxury. Bonus points for adding fresh mint or basil to both.

Also Try: Savignon Blanc – Bright, zesty, and herbaceous, it mirrors the tang of the goat cheese and enhances those garden-fresh notes.

Non-Alcoholic Pairing: Cucumber Mint Sparkling Water – Ultra-light and refreshing, it complements the tang of goat cheese without overwhelming it.

3. Aged Gouda + Bourbon Peach Iced Tea

Aged Gouda has that salty-sweet caramel vibe with crunchy protein crystals that make it snackable and totally addictive. Serve thick wedges with grilled peaches or shave it onto corn on the cob with chili-lime butter.

Pair with: Bourbon peach iced tea. The smoky sweetness of the tea makes the cheese feel even more decadent—like a Southern picnic but make it gourmet.

Also Try: Amber Ale – The maltiness and caramel tones of the ale play beautifully with the nutty, crystalline gouda for a sweet-savory match.

Non-Alcoholic Pairing: Iced Chai Tea – The warm spice of chai echoes Gouda’s caramel and nutty notes in an unexpectedly cozy-cool combo.

4. Triple-Crème Brie + Rosé Sangria

Triple-crème cheeses like Brillat-Savarin or Mt. Tam are buttery and indulgent. Stack them on a baguette with ripe strawberries and fresh thyme, or serve them with a drizzle of fig jam.

Pair with: A chilled rosé sangria loaded with citrus and berries. The acidity and fruitiness balance out all that creamy richness. It’s brunch-worthy, beach-ready, and very Instagrammable.

Also Try: Champagne or Sparkling Rosé – The acidity and bubbles slice through all that creaminess and make it feel extra celebratory.

Non-Alcoholic Pairing: Sparkling Peach Iced Tea – Juicy, a little floral, and fizzy—it balances out the creamy richness with a soft pop of fruit.

5. Smoked Blue Cheese + Spiked Lemonade

Blue cheese can be polarizing, but a smoked variety is a game-changer. Crumble it over grilled flatbreads with bacon and grilled scallions, or serve it alongside barbecued ribs for that sweet-smoky contrast.

Pair with: Spiked lemonade—especially one with a hint of honey or jalapeño. The punch of citrus and alcohol cuts through the funk and brings the fire-and-ice energy summer eats need.

Also Try: Porter or Stout Beer – Deep, roasty beers mirror the smoke in the cheese and bring out its savory edge in a big way.

Non-Alcoholic Pairing: Lemonade with a Dash of Smoked Salt or Chili – That hit of acidity and subtle smoky edge makes this pairing feel complex and grown-up.

6. Mozzarella + Aperol Spritz

This one’s light, luxe, and totally in season. Creamy mozzarella (or burrata if you're feeling fancy) paired with heirloom tomatoes, a drizzle of olive oil, and flaky salt? Peak summer.

Pair with: An Aperol spritz. The bittersweet citrus punch of the spritz complements the creaminess of the cheese and the brightness of the tomatoes. It’s giving Amalfi energy without the airfare.

Also Try: Vermentino – A fresh, mineral-forward white wine that pairs well with the delicate creaminess of mozzarella and sun-ripened tomatoes.

Non-Alcoholic Pairing: Basil-Infused Lemon Water – Light, herbal, and almost savory, like sipping a garden—perfect for mozz.

7. Garrotxa (Spanish Goat Cheese) + Sparkling Cider

Garrotxa is a semi-hard goat cheese from Catalonia with a nutty, earthy vibe. Slice it thin for tapas-style snacking with Marcona almonds, figs, or jamón.

Pair with: A chilled dry sparkling cider. The bubbles keep it light, while the apple notes echo the cheese’s rustic depth. Ideal for late afternoon grazing with good company and golden-hour lighting.

Alternate Pairing: Albariño – A Spanish white wine with crisp acidity and subtle floral notes that bring out Garrotxa’s earthy elegance.

Non-Alcoholic Pairing: Crisp Apple Juice or a Dry Apple Shrub – The earthiness of Garrotxa plays nicely with apple's natural acidity and sweetness.

8. Ricotta Salata + Watermelon Mezcal Margarita

Ricotta salata is firm, salty, and just begging to be crumbled over grilled zucchini, peach salads, or sweet corn. It’s subtle enough to play nice with bold flavors but distinct enough to stand out.

Pair with: A watermelon mezcal margarita. The smoky kick from mezcal and the sweet melon notes bring out ricotta salata’s savoriness in the best way. It’s the salty-sweet moment your cocktail hour was missing.

Alternate Pairing: Rosé Cider – Refreshing and fruity, with just the right amount of funk to play with ricotta salata’s saltiness.

Non-Alcoholic Pairing: Watermelon Juice with Lime – Bright, hydrating, and punchy. The saltiness of the cheese loves the sweet-juicy hit of melon.

9. Manchego + Sangria Roja

Aged Manchego is buttery, nutty, and rich—a Spanish classic. Serve with quince paste, almonds, and crusty bread for a no-fuss spread that always delivers.

Pair with: Traditional red sangria. The fruity depth of the sangria echoes the cheese’s sweetness while balancing out the umami. It’s the kind of pairing that makes you want to linger outside all night long.

Alternate Pairing: Tempranillo – A classic Spanish red with notes of plum and leather that highlight Manchego’s aged depth.

Non-Alcoholic Pairing: Hibiscus Iced Tea– Tart and vibrant, hibiscus brings a floral zip that dances with Manchego’s buttery profile.

10. Cambozola + Hard Seltzer with Berry

Blue Brie is a creamy, bloomy-rind cheese with a mild blue vein—basically a gateway blue cheese for the skeptics. Pair it with berries, roasted nuts, or a drizzle of lavender honey.

Pair with: A berry-flavored hard seltzer. The fizz and fruitiness are the perfect foil to the richness of the cheese. Plus, it’s easy, low-key, and made for those bring-your-own nights.

Alternate Pairing: Moscato d’Asti – Slightly sweet, lightly bubbly, and super floral—perfect for taming the funk and making the cheese taste even creamier.

Non-Alcoholic Pairing: Sparkling Blackberry Lemonade – Sweet, tangy, and bubbly—the perfect fruity lift to make blue cheese feel more approachable.

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When in doubt, start with the drink. Match the cheese to your mood—bright and tangy with spritzes, bold and smoky with bourbon, creamy and dreamy with fruit-forward pours.

Your next BBQ or rooftop hang is about to taste a whole lot more interesting!