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