By spitorswallow.co.za 
While we often savor the perfect food pairings for our favorite wines, few of us feel as confident when it comes to indulging in the art of pairing foods with spirits like South Africa’s finest gins, where the seductive interplay of botanicals and flavors can elevate any experience to something truly dope!
Since gin’s allure is undeniably captivating, there’s a tantalizing chance you’re savoring a seductive cocktail right now, its aromatic botanicals teasing your senses. When the craving for something more satisfying strikes, indulge in delectable bites that elevate your experience. Think velvety oysters, a finger food known to make humans horny, with a hint of tabasco, or a rich charcuterie platter with sharp cheeses and expertly cured meats! Each bite is an irresistible tease, crafted to awaken your senses and elevate your gin-infused mushroom fantasy to new heights.
Whether you’re vegan or not, explore this well-curated list of magical mushroom dishes perfectly paired with a selection of South Africa’s finest craft gins ever produced.
Baked Portobello Mushrooms
Imagine tender, succulently baked Portobello mushrooms made by Caroline, their earthy richness perfectly enhanced by a seductive gin marinade that teases out botanical, citrus, and spicy notes, transforming each bite into a strip-tease of flavors.
Gin Pairing
Mirari Amber African Botanics Gin by Time Anchor Distillery seduces the senses with a tantalizing fusion of aromas, where the sultry warmth of rooibos entwines with the deep, earthy allure of mushrooms and garlic, crafting a complex, irresistible symphony that beckons exploration and indulgence.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Mirari Amber Gin
- Orange zest
- 150ml tonic water
- Fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions:
- Fill desired glass with ice, a ribbon of orange zest and a sprig of thyme. Pour in the Mirari Amber Gin and top with tonic.
Vegan Mushroom Tacos
Vegan mushroom tacos by the Lazy Cat Kitchen, where the tender, juicy texture and earthy, savory flavors seduce your palate, creating a tantalizing meatless alternative to the classic favorite.
Gin Pairing
The Karoo region is renowned for its vibrant craft spirits, often inspired by local wildlife and infused with animal-themed names like the Rumkat, a South African rum in cat’s name produced by Grundheim. Among these artisanal creations, Six Dogs Gin stands out as a notable example, reflecting the area’s rich tradition of unique and innovative spirit-making. The juniper berries enhance the robust flavors of the mushroom tacos, adding a punch that perfectly balances the tangy pickled red onions and the sweet, tropical notes of pineapple. This combination creates a harmonious and flavorful bite that delights the senses with each taste.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Six Dogs Karoo Gin
- Wedge of pineapple
- 150ml ginger ale
Instructions:
- Fill desired glass with ice and add a wedge of pineapple. Pour in the Six Dogs Gin, top with ginger ale and garnish with a piece of the pineapple crown.
Mushroom Bravos
Skip the starch by swapping standard potatoes with fresh mushroom bravos.
Gin Pairing
The spicy flavours found in this dish are the perfect complement to the herbaceous, dry flavours in an Inverroche G&T. The fresh and cooling notes of the Inverroche provide a refreshing contrast to the bold and powerful flavours emanating from the mushrooms bravas. The botanicals in this gin lend themselves to be paired with this spicy dish.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Inverroche Classic Gin
- Dried Chillies
- 150ml tonic water
Instructions:
- Fill desired glass with ice and add 2-3 dried chillies. Pour in the Inverroche Classic Gin and top with tonic.
Artichoke And White Button Mushroom Salad
An earthy autumn salad, where tender marinated mushrooms seduce your senses with their rich, savory depths, perfectly complemented by crisp, fresh greens.
Gin Pairing
Imagine savoring a crisp autumn evening with a tantalizing meal that awakens your senses, perfectly complemented by the sultry floral notes of Cape Fynbos Gin. The earthy richness of mushrooms and artichokes weave together seamlessly, adding layers of seductive complexity to the Gin & Tonic.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Cape Fynbos Gin
- 150ml pink tonic water
- Fresh sprigs of local fynbos
Instructions:
- Place the gin in the freezer for a few hours to cool before making your salad. Or… Fill a shaker with ice and quickly shake the gin over ice to cool. Pour into a coupe and top with pink tonic. Garnish with fresh fynbos.