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
|