Non-Alcoholic Drinks and food to go with smokes?

[kvaughan]

Dr. Pepper or water for the drink. I have never eaten while I smoked so I have no suggestions there.

[BillyCigars]

I actually try to avoid carbonated drinks while smoking cigars -- particluarly stronger smokes. For some reason, the fizz is more pronounced and when puffing on a stronger cigar, it can be almost painful.

I always drink coffee, espresso, cappuccino, or mocha with cigars; something coffee-related and that has cream in it. I always found that (for me anyways) the dark, bitter roasted flavor of the coffee helps to both compliment similar flavors in the cigar as well as cancel out some of the bitter, nasty taste that I sometimes get towards the end of the cigar thereby allowing me to smoke further & taste more of what I normally miss.

If you hate coffee but are willing to try teas, give "Lap Sou" a shot. (Lap Sou = Lapsang Souchong). You can find it most places; certainly places that specialize in coffees & teas. Anyway, Lap Sou is really unique. I always used to refer to it as the latakia of the tea world. It's tea leaves that have been smoked over a fire and seemed to always go amazingly well with a pipe. When paired with cigars, I always had an equally pleasant smoke.

Worth a shot!

[lynngod]

My first choice is coffee. I have a grinder and a French Press, and I get my beans fresh roasted in little Italy here in The Bronx. Along with the coffee I enjoy a glass of cold water or seltzer water. On occasion I have had Coke, O’douls, rootbeer, cream soda, and hot lemon tea. I have never tried Lapsang Souchong but I am intrigued. All in all I find that brown, beige or black drinks go best with the cigars I choose to smoke.

[Harpo]

Originally Posted by Advil

Sometimes I like a simple cup of peach punch.

If you're going to have a Punch Petit Punch with peach punch it's probably a good thing alcohol isn't involved.

[uncballzer]

I like a good ole Deit Pepsi with a Padron--it actually changes the taste of the drink to an "amaretto sour" taste--but that may be becuase this summer I would sit on the porch with a padron and an amaretto sour--so it may be just all in my head.

[IslandRick]

I usually prefer coffee but water is good sometimes too. Especially with the milder smokes. I never smoke on an empty stomach.

Rick

[bmagin320]

coffee doesn't seem to go too well with ashton vsg's , but i tried pairing it with an indian chai or african red roobais tea, and find it works well together for me
as for padron 64's, i wouldn't dare desecrate my palate with anything prior to, during, or immediately after, this incredible tasty stick of utter elation and explosive flavor. (yes, i have a padron fettish - no, i don't work for the company)

[rottenzombie]

I usually like diet Mountain Dew,but some times I like to have a cup of hot tea with my smoke.I have never eaten while smoking.

[volfan]

I like Root Beer (diet actually), Jones Cane Sugar Cola or Mexican Coca Cola, Diet Sprite or Sierra Mist, Green Tea, Chai occasionally, Sarsparilla, half and half tea (1/2 southern sweet tea and 1/2 unsweet), Coffee, and water.

scottie

[runningonmt64]

I like to drink coffee with a cigar but I have now and then enjoyed a good burbon like Eagle Rare on the rocks. As far as eating I usually will wait till after I have something to eat. If its steak then an Ashton will follow

[RPB67]

Coffee is good.

I also drink cranberry juice, diet soda and ice water with my cigars.

[dantzig]

Unless I am familiar with the cigar and know exactly what to pair with it, I always start out drinking clean, cold, filtered water.

I really love my beer so that's usually what I go to once I decide on what I think would complement the cigar nicely.

I also love my coffee (I have a burr grinder, french press, and an espresso machine) but I find that I usually prefer to drink cold beverages while smoking cigars. Every once and a while I'll drink an Americano, espresso, or just plain coffee with or without cream and sugar. Hot chocolate (the real stuff, not a just add water mix) is also great with certain cigars. I actually really like to drink coffee after smoking a cigar, especially with cream and sugar if the nicotine hit me pretty hard. A chai tea or latte is another good option.

Soda was never a consideration for me until I read the interview with Alex Wong in the last issue of CA. While he is rich and could afford to drink anything with his cigars including the best single malts, he prefers Coca-Cola. I tried a coke with my first PSD4 (after starting out with just water) at a recent herf and I was impressed. The acidity seemed to refresh my palete, the sweetness kept the nicotine from getting to me too bad, and the flavor complemented the cigar nicely. I did notice a bit of a buildup of gummy texture after a while, likely from all the sugar, so I think I will try Coke Zero instead next time.

Re: eating, I never smoke on a completely empty stomach. I'm way too much of a lightweight for that. Sometimes I'll just have a snack before smoking and eat something afterwards. I've noticed that the cigar aftertaste does complement some foods and that eating helps to get rid of any nasty aftertastes that linger too long.

[Mystophales]

Originally Posted by volfan

I like Root Beer (diet actually), Jones Cane Sugar Cola or Mexican Coca Cola, Diet Sprite or Sierra Mist, Green Tea, Chai occasionally, Sarsparilla, half and half tea (1/2 southern sweet tea and 1/2 unsweet), Coffee, and water.

scottie

I have seen this a couple of times now. Someone talking about Mexican Coca Cola...isn't Coca Cola the same wherever you go? If there is a difference can you really notice a difference in the taste?

[dantzig]

Originally Posted by Mystophales

I have seen this a couple of times now. Someone talking about Mexican Coca Cola...isn't Coca Cola the same wherever you go? If there is a difference can you really notice a difference in the taste?

Mexican coke = sugar
American coke = HFCS

[Advil]

Hmm, where do you get Mexican Coca Cola? That sounds interesting.