Flavour combination and pairing guide

This guide has been put together to help you discover flavours that pair well together. With hundreds of hours and knowledge put into practise, this flavour guide is one of the most comprehensive flavour guides on the web.

Unlike most flavour guides that solely focus on the food aspect of flavour pairing, this table has been designed to help discover flavour pairing to be used in drinks, cocktails, non alcoholic cocktails, and smoothies. With mixology and bartending at the heart.

Side note: The flavours still carry over well with food and so you can use the flavour guide for both drink and food.

How to use the flavour pairing guide

When developing cocktail recipes or new bakes, it can be difficult to find flavours that work well together. You can use the guide below to help find them complimentary flavours.

When you have a flavour in mind, find it in the main ingredients column, Hint, they are in alphabetical order. Then search across to find the different flavours that pair and compliment your main ingredient.

Generally, you want to try and combine 2 flavours, then use hints of supporting flavours to enhance your main flavours. But this is a creative place, so why not get experimental! I mean hey, you might just stumble across the next Pina colada or black forest gateau!

Cocktails

When you’ve picked your perfect flavour combination, think about the different ways you can apply it. For example, you like the sound of strawberry and mint? Want a sweet cocktail, perhaps something non-alcoholic? try making a strawberry and mint syrup.

Want something more boozy or hard-hitting? try infusing gin with strawberries, or using mint bitters.

Food, confectionery and cakes

Much like with cocktails, first you want to have a main ingredient in mind. Once you have one, search for complimentary flavours and try different ways of incorporating them flavours into your bakes. To use the above example, if you like the idea of strawberry and mint, you could go with a mint and chocolate sponge cake with layers of strawberry jam or mint chocolate with a dried strawberry topping.

The possibilities of flavour combinations are endless. Picking the flavours has been made easy with this flavour pairing guide, the fun part comes when you start deciding how you’re going to use them.

The flavour guide is constantly being updated, so if what you’re looking for isn’t here, check back later or drop me an email.

The Flavour Guide

108 Flavour pairings and counting

Main Ingredient	Fruit	Herb and Spice	Other
Agave	Mango, Papaya, Cantaloupe, cherry, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Strawberry, Lime	Anise, Chilli, Cinnamon, Ginger, Mint, Basil, Thyme	Almond, Honey, Cucumber, Coffee, Celery
Almond	Apricot, cherry, plum, peach, fig	Cinnamon, pepper, cardamom and nutmeg, Parsley, basil, cassia leaf	Coffee, honey, Caramel
Apple	Cranberry, Mango, Citrus, Currants, Pumpkin, Kiwi, Raspberry	Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Mint	Caramel, Chestnut, Maple, hazelnut, Walnut, Rhubarb, Pecan
Apricot	Plum, Peach, Orange, Pineapple, Cherry, Figs, Strawberry, Raspberry	Black pepper, Cardamom, Ginger, Mint, Rosemary, Dill	Almond, Caramel, Honey, Vanilla, Rose, Coconut, Pistachio
Avocado	Pineapple, Mango, lime, plum	Cinnamon, Mint	Juniper, honey, agave, cucumber, matcha
Banana	Apricot, Guava, Kiwi, Kumquat, Lime, Mango, Orange, Papaya, Pineapple, Pomegranate	Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Mint	Caramel, Coconut, Coffee, Hazelnut, Honey, Macadamia, Maple, Pecan, Walnut, Chocolate,
Bay leaf	Pineapple, Lime, Lemon	Ginger, Thyme	Juniper, Honey
Black current	Apple, Cherry, Figs, Peach, Pear, Prune, Raspberry, Strawberry	Ginger, Basil, Pepper, Mint, Rosemary	Almond, Carrot, Fennel, Honey
blackberry	Apple, Elderberry, Citrus Mango, Peach, Pear, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Strawberry, Tangerine	Cinnamon, Ginger, Black pepper, Mint	Vanilla, hazelnut, chocolate, honey, maple
Blood orange	Fig, Pineapple, Passionfruit	cardamom, cinnamon, clove, ginger, Rosemary, Mint	Almond, Honey, Chocolate
blueberry	Lemon, Fig, Mango, Apple, Apricot	Cardamom, Ginger, Rosemary, Sage	Lavender, hazelnut, jasmine, lemongrass, orange blossom, white chocolate, almond
Cantaloupe	Lime, lemon, pomegranate, melon, pineapple, orange	Ginger, Mint, basil, sage	Honey, maple, agave, cucumber, rose
Caramel	Apple, Cranberry, Banana, Tangerine, Pear	Cinnamon, Anise, Mint	Almond, Chocolate, Coffee, Toffee, Vanilla, Walnut
Cardamom	Apple, Lime, Pineapple, Orange, Papaya, Grapefruit	Ginger, Anise, Cardamom, Mint, Basil	Rose, Coconut, Honey, Agave
Carrot	Pineapple, Orange, Lime	Black pepper, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Chilli, Ginger, Mint, Basil, Thyme, Rosemary	Agave, Tomato, Juniper, Cucumber, Celery
Cashew	Pear, pineapple, apple	Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, Parsley, dill	Caramel, honey
Chamomile	Pineapple, Apple, Citrus, Tangerine	Black pepper, Cinnamon, Mint, Thyme	Almond, Coffee
Cherry	apricot, citrus, nectarine, peach, plum, currants, Lychee	Black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, Sage	Vanilla, Violet, chocolate, pecan, caramel
Chestnut	Fig, lemon, pears, prunes, oranges, Raisins	Cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, Bay leaf, rosemary, thyme	maple syrup, honey, chocolate, coffee
Chillies	Mango, Lime, Pineapple, Papaya, Orange, Grapefruit	Cardamom, Mint	Agave, Honey, Chocolate
Chocolate	Blueberry, Cherries, Raspberry, Orange, Strawberry, Banana	Anise, Cinnamon, Cloves, Mint, Sage, Rosemary	Almond, Caramel Hazelnut, Honey, Maple, Coffee, Vanilla
Cinnamon	Apple, Lime, Pineapple, Papaya, Grapefruit	Ginger, Anise, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Mint	Almond, Coconut, Honey, Agave
cloudberry	Citrus fruits, orange, pineapple	Cinnamon, Sage, mint	Cream, pistachio
Cloves	Apple, Lime, Orange, Raisins, Prune, Pear	Cinnamon, Anise, Nutmeg, Mint, Sage	Liquorice, Chocolate, Walnut
Coconut	Pineapple, Guava, apple, Tropical fruits	Cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, clove, Coriander	Kaffir leaf, lemongrass
Coconut	Pineapple, Orange, Guava, Papaya, Orange, Watermelon	Cinnamon, Anise, Ginger, Mint, Rosemary	Chocolate, Cucumber
Coffee	Apricot, Cherry, Orange, Pumpkin	Anise, Clove, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Mint	Almond, Hazelnut, Chocolate, Vanilla, Honey, Walnut
Coriander	Strawberry, Lime, Lemon, Pineapple	Ginger, Mint	Coconut, Cucumber, Juniper, Honey
Cranberry	Apple, Lemon, Lime Orange, Peach, Pear, Pumpkin	Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Sage, mint	Almond, Hazelnut, Honey, Pistachio, Walnut, White Chocolate
Cucumber	Strawberry, Raspberry, Apple, Orange, Citrus	Black pepper, Basil, Dill, Mint, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary	Agave, Honey, Flowers, Juniper, Rhubarb
Dandelion	Apple, Orange, Citrus, Grapefruit	Cinnamon, Mint, Basil, Sage, Thyme	Honey, Cucumber, Rhubarb, Maple, Juniper
Date	Cranberry, Apple, Apricot, Fig, Nectarine, Orange, Prune, Quince, Tangerine	Cinnamon, Ginger, Mint	Vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, pecan, pistachio, walnut, honey. almond
Dill	Apricot, Apple, Lemon, Pineapple, Pomegranate	Ginger, Black pepper, Mint	Cucumber
Dragon fruit	Mango, pineapple, lemon, lime, strawberry	Cinnamon, ginger, Mint	Almond, honey, vanilla
Durian	Lime, cherry, pineapple	Nutmeg, clove, star anise, cinnamon, Mint	Vanilla, caramel, honey
Elderberry	Berries Orange, Peach, Tangerine	Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Nutmeg, Mint, Rosemary	Honey, Vanilla
Elderflower	Lemon, Apple, Orange, Pineapple, Pear, Peach Kiwi, Berries, Lychee, Grapefruit	Black Pepper, Mint, Basil, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme	Honey, Cucumber, Rhubarb, Juniper
Fennel	Lemon, Strawberry, Orange	Anise, Mint	Maple, Honey, Rhubarb, Cucumber
Fig	Pear, Cherry, Date, prune, date, quince	black pepper, cinnamon, anise, Thyme, rosemary, mint	Hazelnut, vanilla, walnut
Ginger	Apricot, Apple, Lime, Lemon, Mango, Grapefruit Papaya, Raspberry, Guava, Plum	Cinnamon, Mint, Thyme, Rosemary	Almond, Coconut, Cucumber, Juniper
Goji berry	Acai, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries	Cinnamon, Mint, thyme	Cashew, walnut, hazelnut, chocolate, coffee
Gooseberry	Lemon, lime, yuzu, berries	Black pepper, Ginger, Mint, thyme, rosemary	Honey, White chocolate
Grape	Citrus, melon, orange	Ginger, cinnamon, Mint	Honey, rose
Grapefruit	Lemon, Lime, Melon, Orange, Papaya, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Raspberry	Cardamom, Ginger, Mint, Rosemary, Lemon thyme, basil	Vanilla, chamomile rose water, Honey, pecan
Guava	Coconut, pineapple, strawberry, lime, passionfruit	Ginger, Basil, mint	Kaffir leaf, Juniper, lavender, honey, vanilla, agave
Hazelnut	Banana, fig, cherry, mandarin, peaches	All spice berries, Ginger, turmeric, Bay leaf, basil	Chocolate, honey, coffee
Hibiscus	Apple, Citrus, Cranberry, Raspberries, Strawberries, Peach, Blackberries, Grapefruit, Watermelon	Cinnamon, Ginger, Mint, Thyme	Honey, Cucumber, Rhubarb
Honey	Apple, Mango, Pineapple, Cranberry, Peach, Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Watermelon	Cinnamon, Anise, Ginger, Mint, Basil, Sage, Thyme	Juniper, Chocolate, Cucumber, Coconut, Rhubarb
Jackfruit	Lemon, pineapple	Ginger, Mint, rosemary	Hazelnut
Jasmine	Lemon, Apple, Peach, Orange	Ginger, Cinnamon, Mint, Thyme	Elderflower, Honey, Maple, Lavender
Juniper berries	Strawberry, Lemon, Grapefruit, Berries, Orange, Peach, Plum, Pear	Cardamom, Cinnamon, Anise, Black pepper, Rosemary, Mint, Sage, Lemongrass, Thyme	Honey, Rhubarb, Cucumber
Kiwi	Strawberry, apple, mango, cherry, Lychee, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Tangerine	Cardamom, Basil, mint, rosemary	Chamomile, orange blossom water, cucumber, honey, macadamia
Kumquat	Berries, plum, cherry, papaya, apple, lime, lemon, pumpkin	Cinnamon, anise, ginger, nutmeg, Basil, mint	Coffee, vanilla, honey, walnut
Lavender	Apricot, Lemon, Peach	Ginger, Cardamom, Mint, Thyme, Rosemary	Cucumber, Rhubarb, Honey
Lemon	Apple, Apricot, Banana, berries, Cherry, Currants, Grapefruit, Grape, Guava, Kumquat, Lime, Mango, Nectarine, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Pear, Plum, Prune, Quince,	Black pepper, cardamom, cumin, Mint, thyme, basil, rosemary, sage	Flowers, Almond, Caramel, Chestnut, Hazelnut, Honey, Pecan, Pine Nut, Pistachio, Poppyseed, Walnut. Rhubarb, cucumber, Juniper
Lemon Thyme	Apple, Lemon, Pineapple, Orange, Blackberries, Raspberries	Ginger, Basil, Mint	Honey, Juniper, Cucumber, Rhubarb
Lemongrass	Apple, Strawberry, Lemon, Guava, Peach	Ginger, Cinnamon, Mint, Sage	Coconut, Kaffir Lime Leaf, Cucumber
Lime	Apricot, Banana, Date, Fig, berries, Grapefruit, Guava, Kumquat, Lemon, Lychee, Orange, Mango, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Persimmon, Pineapple	Cinnamon, cardamom, anise, ginger, Mint, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme	Rhubarb, cucumber, chillies. Juniper
Longan	Banana, Mango, Pomegranate, Goji, Orange, Date	Ginger, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Thyme	Honey, Vanilla
Loquat	Orange, Cranberry	Ginger, Basil	Liquorice, Honey
Lychee	Citrus, goji berry, passion fruit, coconut, pineapple, mango, watermelon	Ginger, Mint	Vanilla
Macadamia	Strawberries, cherry, peach, plum	Cumin, ginger, Cayenne pepper, Mint	Maple syrup
Mandarin	Cherry, fig, tropical fruits,	Star anise, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, Thyme, lemon thyme, rosemary, sage, mint	Chocolate, coffee, vanilla, honey, maple
Mango	Kumquat, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Pear, Pineapple, Tangerine, coconut	Anise, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Mint	Chillies, agave, honey,
Maple syrup	Apricot, Pineapple, Orange, Lemon	Anise, Cinnamon, Ginger, Mint	Almond, Chocolate, Oak, Walnut
Mint	Apricot, Apple, Strawberry, Plum, Pear, Lime, Lemon, Berries, Peach, Pomegranate	Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Rosemary, Thyme, Dill	Cucumber, Rhubarb, Honey, Agave
Mulberry	Berries, plum, lemon, currants, apple,	Black pepper, Mint, thyme, rosemary	Juniper
Nectarine	Apricot, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Fig, Lemon, Orange, Peach, Plum, Raspberry, Strawberry	Anise, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Mint, Rosemary	Almond, Caramel, Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, Honey, Maple, Pecan, Pistachio
Nutmeg	Lemon, lime, oranges, apple	Cinnamon, cardamom, Cloves, Rosemary, lime leaf	Caramel, coffee, maple syrup
Olive	Lemon, Grapefruit, Orange	Black pepper, Coriander, Rosemary, Thyme, Basil	Juniper, Lemongrass
Orange	Apple, Apricot, Banana, Berries Cherry, Date, Fig, Grapefruit, Guava, Kumquat, Citrus Mango, Nectarine, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Pear, Persimmon, Plum, Pomegranate, Prune, Pumpkin, Quince, Raisin	Anise, Cardamom Cinnamon, Clove, Cumin, Ginger, Nutmeg, Basil, Dill, Thyme, Rosemary, Mint	Rhubarb, Lavender, Rose water, Vanilla
Papaya	Banana, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Kumquat, Lemon, Lime, Mango, Orange, Passion Fruit, Peach, Pineapple, Coconut	Black pepper, coriander, Cumin, Ginger, Mint, Basil	Macadamia, Vanilla
Parsley	Strawberry, Lime, Lemon	Ginger, Mint	Coconut, Honey
Passionfruit	Kiwi, Citrus, Mango, Orange, Papaya, Pineapple, Raspberry, Strawberry,	Ginger, Cinnamon, Mint	Vanilla, Macadamia, Caramel, Lemongrass
Peach	Apricot, Blackberry, Blueberry, Berries, Citrus Cherry, Coconut, Currants, Fig, Nectarine, Orange, Papaya, Passionfruit Plum,	Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Basil, Mint	Almond, Caramel, Chocolate Hazelnut, Honey, Maple, Pecan, Pistachio, Walnut, Vanilla
Peanut	Banana, strawberry, peach, pear	Cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, Parsley, mint	Chocolate, coffee
Pear	Apple, Citrus Blackberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Currant, Date, Fig, Lingonberry, Pomegranate, Prune, Quince, Raisin,	Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg, Ginger, Rosemary, Mint	almond, caramel, chestnut, chocolate, Macadamia, Honey, hazelnut, Pistachio, vanilla, walnut
Pecan	Banana, pear, grapes. Fig	Cardamom, Basil, parsley	Vanilla, maple, chocolate
Pepper	Blackberries, Cherry, Strawberry, Lime, Lemon	Ginger, Mint, Sage, Basil	Tomato, Honey, Lavender
Persimmon	Cherry, Cranberry, Grapefruit, Kumquat, Lemon, Nectarine, Mango, Orange	Black pepper, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Nutmeg, Basil	Almonds, Honey, Vanilla
Pine nut	Lemon, fig, peach, plum	Ginger, turmeric, Basil, oregano, rosemary	Almond, Maple
Pineapple	Apricot, Banana, Cherry, Coconut Grapefruit, Kiwi, Kumquat, Lime, Mango, Melon, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Raspberry, Strawberry	Cinnamon, Cardamom, Clove, Ginger, Anise, Basil, Mint, Rosemary	Almond, Caramel, Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, Honey, Macadamia, Maple, Peanut
Pistachio	Pineapple Plum, peaches, coconut, cranberry, apricot	Nutmeg, cardamom, fennel seeds, Basil, parsley, rosemary	Vanilla, chocolate (dark and white)
Plum	Cherry, Cranberry, Fig, Kumquat, Lemon, Nectarine, Peach, Raspberry, Strawberry	Black pepper, Cinnamon. Anise, Cardamom, Ginger, Nutmeg, Basil, Dill, Mint	almond, chestnut, Chocolate, Rhubarb hazelnut, honey, Walnut, vanilla
Pomegranate	Cranberry, Cucumber, Pear, Blueberry, Raspberry, Mango, Pineapple, Strawberry	Ginger, Clove, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint	Juniper, Vanilla, Coconut, Chocolate, Honey, Maple syrup, Agave
Prune	Apple, Apricot, Currants, Date, Fig, Lemon, Orange, Pear, Raisin	Anise, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Mint, Rosemary	Almond, Caramel, Chestnut, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, Honey, Maple, Pecan, Pistachio, Walnut,
Pumpkin	Apple, Cranberry, Pomegranate, Strawberry,	Allspice, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Nutmeg, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary	Coffee, Chocolate, Honey, Caramel, Vanilla
Quince	Apple, Cherry, Cranberry, Date, Fig, Kumquat, Lemon, Nectarine, Orange, Pear, Raspberry	Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Mint	Almond, Caramel, Hazelnut, Honey, Maple, Pecan, Walnut
Rambutan	Lychee, Longan, Lemon, Lime, Pineapple	Ginger, Cinnamon, Mint	Coconut, Agave, Honey, Vanilla
Raspberry	apricot, Apple, citrus, lemon, nectarine, other berries, peach, plum, Passionfruit, Pineapple	Ginger, Cinnamon, Thyme, Mint, Basil	Vanilla, Rhubarb, Honey
Rhubarb	Apple, Apricot, Orange, Peach, Lemon, Pineapple	Ginger, Cardamom, Mint, Thyme	Juniper, Cucumber, Honey
Rose	Pineapple, Citrus Strawberry, Peach, Raspberry	Ginger, Cardamom, Mint, Rosemary, Thyme	Honey, Cucumber, Rhubarb
Rosemary	Apricot, Apple, Lime, Cranberry, Lemon, Pineapple, Orange, Pomegranate	Ginger, Cardamom, Mint, Basil, Thyme	Rose, Olive, Honey, Rhubarb, Cucumber
Sage	Apple, Lime, Lemon, Cherries, Pineapple	Black pepper, Thyme	Honey, Cucumber, Rhubarb
Soursop	Apple, Lemon, Lime, Guava, Raspberry, Blackberry	Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Mint, Rosemary, Basil	Vanilla, Coconut
Star anise	Apple, Lime, Pineapple, Plum, Orange, Tangerine	Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Mint	Almond, Chocolate, Honey, Maple, Walnut
Star fruit	Apple, Orange, Lime, Passionfruit	Black pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Mint	Rhubarb, Vanilla, Honey
Strawberry	Currant, Citrus, Berries Grapefruit, Guava, Kiwi, Kumquat, Lychee, Mango, Nectarine, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Peach, Pineapple, Plum,	Anise, Black pepper, Clove, Ginger, Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Mint, coriander	Rhubarb, Vanilla, Almond, Caramel, Coconut, Chocolate, Hazelnut, Honey, Maple Syrup Pecan, Pistachio, Violet,
Tangerine	Apple, Orange, Citrus, Grapefruit	Ginger, Cinnamon, Mint, Basil	Agave, Honey, Maple syrup, Vanilla
Tarragon	Lime, Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit	Ginger, Mint	Elderflower, Honey, Juniper
Thyme	Apple, Lemon, Pineapple, Orange, Blackberries, Raspberries, Grapefruit	Cinnamon, Cardamom, Rosemary, Mint	Honey, Juniper, Cucumber, Rose, Lavender, Violet
Tomato	Lemon, Strawberry	Black pepper, Cinnamon, Basil	Celery
Vanilla	Apricot, Passionfruit, Apple, Peach, Raspberries, Orange	Anise, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Basil, Mint, Rosemary, Sage	Almond, Chocolate, Coffee, Walnut, Cucumber, Rhubarb
Violet	Apricot, Lemon, Cherry, Peach, Cranberry	Ginger, Cinnamon, Mint, Basil, Rosemary	Almond, Coconut, Lavender, Jasmin, Elderflower
Walnut	Apple, apricot, banana, cherry, Cranberry	Nutmeg, Anise, Rosemary	Dark Chocolate, vanilla, coffee, honey, caramel
Watermelon	Lemon, Lime, Passionfruit, Orange, Pineapple, Cranberry	Ginger, Cinnamon, Anise, Mint, Basil, Rosemary	Vanilla, Coconut, Cucumber, Agave, Honey
Yuzu	Apple, Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit	Ginger, Mint, Dill	Almonds, Coffee, Honey, Juniper, Jasmine