Unboxed: Fun sweets and spirits pairings for the upcoming holidays

Consumers will be exploring new territory in a holiday season spent under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, so why not expand their horizons even further with some unconventional dessert and alcohol pairings from these palate-pleasing brands?

Of course, turning to sugary sweets and alcoholic beverages as stress-relieving balms has already been a go-to behavior for many consumers over the past long months. But more than merely a coping mechanism, trying new recipes and creating new traditions can also fill the holidays with joy and excitement, even as consumers show their love for family and friends by staying away from them this holiday season.

And as people scale down their holiday plans, natural product brands are here to help. All of the luscious sweets featured on the following slides are available in individual portions—yes, we are at the point where we consider an entire chocolate bar a single serving. They also represent real food, clean-label, handmade and small-batch selections that make it easier to leave guilt behind. This year has been hard enough already.

Furthermore, many small-batch and specialty distilleries are adding excitement in the form of seasonal cocktail recipes that consumers can easily download or access on their websites.

This collection of five desserts and their complementary spirits pairings might be a little unconventional, but these are exceptional times and our guess is that consumers will take all the excitement (and comfort) they can get.