Slice, Sip, Repeat

About a decade ago, I stumbled upon pie and booze. Not just any booze. It was a crafted, thoughtful cocktail. My gateway pairing? 

A slice of cherry pie with a cherry Old Fashioned.

It happened in the Pacific Northwest, where the food scene has a knack for surprising you in the best possible way. The bartender told me the bourbon had been infused with fresh cherries for over a week, and they’d swapped out regular bitters for cherry bitters. The result? A deep, fruity richness that made the pie’s sweet-tart filling sing. It wasn’t just dessert. It was a dessert with a plot twist.

Sadly, some of the pie bars I’ve visited over the years, including a few gems, have closed. Pandemic fallout? Changing tastes? The cruel economics of running a place where bourbon meets butter crust? Who the hell knows, probably a bit of all three. But the dream lives on, because when done right, alcohol and pie are a match made in indulgent heaven. When done wrong… well, let’s just say it’s a breakup you’ll remember.

Pairing alcohol with pie is a bit like matchmaking. It’s about not forcing two personalities that don’t work together.

A few guides can help you avoid dessert disasters:

• Thanksgiving pies + cocktails: Epicurious put together a fantastic guide on which drinks pair best with classic holiday pies. Read it here.
• Pie + cocktails party format: Back in the day, Brooklyn’s Butter & Scotch made a name for itself by combining boozy drinks and sweet slices in one cozy, irreverent package. Their cookbook, Butter & Scotch, is basically a love letter to this concept—and the hardcover is so cheap right now it feels like stealing (legally).
• Pie + wine: I’ve never been a huge wine guy, but this Wine Enthusiast article introduced me to Oloroso, a Spanish sherry. On its own, it’s not my thing. Paired with pecan pie? Absolutely magical.
• Pie + beer: Beer lovers, you’re not left out. This Pies & Pints pairing guide will have you seeing your stout in a whole new light.

The moral of the story? Pie and alcohol aren’t just dessert, It's dessert with booze. And while the pie bar renaissance may have slowed, there’s no reason you can’t bring the magic home. Start with a favorite pie, think about its flavor profile, and pick a drink that complements rather than competes. 

Or just go for it and see what happens!