Top 8 Best Non-Alcoholic Beverages to Drink With Cigars

When we think of having a drink with our cigar, invariably we will look to a single malt or a pint to help quench our thirst. But what should you pour if you are teetotal, have a non-alcoholic guest, or are still clinging to your alcohol-free new year’s resolutions!? We take a look at some of the best choices for non-alcoholic beverages to sip alongside your stogie.

8. Hot Chocolate

There are many cigars that can work well with hot chocolate. Stogies with nutty, sweet and creamy flavours can pair wonderfully with hot chocolate, as the cocoa can really help to enhance the similar tastes. The type of milk used for the drink can also boost the flavour, with a higher level of cows milk bringing out a rich and creamy taste, whereas nut-based milks develop the nutty tones of each smoke. Hot chocolate sits at the end of this list though, as it can sometimes prove too sweet for smokers, and stronger cigars may slightly overpower or clash with its sweet flavours, while milder ones may be dominated by the chocolatey flavour. If you’d like to try smoking while you enjoy a tasty hot chocolate, then we recommend a sweet and nutty mid-strength cigar, such as the CAO Colombia.  

7. Sparkling Water

Sparkling water can work well alongside a cigar, as not only is it a healthier bubbly alternative, but it is the perfect way to refresh your palate. As a flavourless beverage, any cigar can work with sparkling water.  

6. Non-Alcoholic Beer

When looking for a non-alcoholic option to enjoy while others around you are sipping upon the real-deal, many turn to specific non-alcoholic alternatives, such as alcohol-free beer or cider. Non-alcoholic beer can be a great partner for cigars, with the malt-based, caramel tones similar to that of both beer and whisky. Drinkers should choose their smokes carefully though, as non-alcoholic beers tend to be on the milder side, meaning that a weaker, mild to medium stick should be picked so as to not overwhelm the flavours.  

5. Ginger Beer

The sharpness of ginger pairs exceptionally with the fuller-bodied cigars out there, making for a worthy companion to the stronger smokes. The spiciness matches well with cigars boasting spicy notes, and the ginger certainly helps to bring out any additional flavours. Having a strong cigar is essential for ginger beer though, as the drink can be fairly intense and may overpower the milder smokes.  

4. Water

While this may be the most boring one on the list (yes, it doesn’t even have bubbles like its sparkling sibling), it is still a popular choice. Again, with no flavour to speak of, plain water can work well with any and all cigars, allowing for their flavour to do all the talking.  

3. Tea

Based here in Britain, tea is an essential choice. It is a versatile drink that can be poured to suit pretty much any cigar. Drink the tea without milk alongside your stronger smokes to enhance the rich, earthy tones, or opt for green tea for your mildest cigars. Tea is the perfect drink for playing around with flavours. For example, if the cigar has a nutty taste, then add a splash of nut milk to the drink, or a spoonful of honey or syrup for the sweeter cigars. If your cigar is spicy, woody or has hints of cocoa, then a cinnamon-spiced chai will be the perfect partner. In the summer, an iced or sweet tea can be drunk to add a touch of sweetness to cigars lacking in this taste area!  

2. Doctor Pepper

When it comes to pairing fizzy drinks with cigars, Dr. Pepper consistently features as the top choice. Made from a mix of 23 different flavours, compared with the 50 noted flavours of a cigar, it is easy to see how some of these flavours can overlap, making Dr. Pepper a great all-rounder to suit almost any smoke. The addition of all of these flavours can really enhance your stogie, as it will bring forth an even wider range of complex notes. So next time you light up, take a sip of the soda; it’s what this Doctor ordered!  

1. Coffee

Coffee would probably make it on a list of drinks to pair cigars with, regardless of whether alcohol were involved or not. This is a classic pairing enjoyed by many a cigar aficionado, especially if you enjoy a smoke first thing in the morning, or at the end of a meal. Plus, coffee can be customisable to suit your taste preferences, and to fit perfectly with the cigar you have selected to smoke. Pair a classic cigar, like a Montecristo Churchill, with a simple, yet classy French Roast. The nuttier, spicy notes of a Padron 1964, on the other hand, works better with something a little fresher, such as an iced coffee. The more intense cigars, such as an Aging Room Maduro, are the perfect partner for an espresso, which will help to enhance each of the complex dry and fruity notes expressed by this full-bodied stogie. Have we missed out your favourite non-alcoholic drink to be enjoyed with a cigar? Let us know what you like to pair your smokes with via our social media channels!