God. Easter weekend is almost here, and I'm already mentally preparing my stomach for the inevitable chocolate coma. But this year I'm determined not to wash down all those treats with whatever random bottle happens to be in my fridge.
Last Easter I made teh mistake of pairing a beautiful roast lamb with some bargain plonk that tasted like fermented dishwater. My brother-in-law (the wine snob) hasn't let me forget it. "Remember when you served that petrol station rosé with the £40 lamb?" Yes, James, we all remember. Idiot.
Why Most People Get Easter Drinks So Wrong
Here's the thing about holiday food and drink pairings - they're weirdly personal. My editor bet me $20 that nobody cares what they drink with chocolate eggs, but after spending way too much time testing combinations (tough job, I know), I'm convinced the right pairing can transform your entire experience.
I've been obsessing over this for weeks. My partner walked in on me surrounded by mini egg wrappers and wine bottles at 11am on a Tuesday. His response: "Already updating my resume."
Whatever. For science.
Hot Cross Bun + Beer = Mind Blown
Let me just throw this out there - hot cross buns with Trappist beer is the unexpected combo that'll change your Easter morning forever.
Back in 2018, I visited a monastery in Belgium where the monks have been brewing beer since like... forever. The guide explained how their dark, malty beers were traditionally enjoyed with sweet breads during religious holidays. I spent $4K on that trip and this pairing knowledge might be the most valuable thing I brought back.
Try Westmalle Trappist Extra Beer (£2.92 at Asda) with a buttery toasted hot cross bun. The rich maltiness meets the cinnamon and dried fruit in a way that's honestly spiritual. The beer bubbles refresh your palate, especially if you've slathered that bun with a proper slab of salted butter. Which you absolutely should.
Those Damn Mini Eggs (My Personal Weakness)
I feel stupid now admitting this, but I once ate an entire family-sized bag of Mini Eggs during a particularly stressful work call. Camera off, obviously.
These little sugar-shelled devils with their creamy centers need something that can match their sweetness without being overwhelmed. After extensive "research" (my dentist is judging me), I've found that I Heart Asti sparkling wine (£6.75, Morrisons) is the perfect match.
The frothy, light sweetness of this Italian fizz has these gorgeous apricot and pear notes that dance with the vanilla and milk chocolate. Plus it's only like 7% alcohol, so you can day-drink it without falling asleep by 3pm.
Boozy Cream + Nest Cakes = Childhood Nostalgia (Adult Version)
Those little chocolate nest cakes with mini eggs... Listen. They transport me straight back to primary school Easter parties, except now I can improve them with booze.
Try pairing them with Ballycastle Cream Chocolate Honeycomb Liqueur (£6.99, Aldi). It's basically pudding in a bottle - like if a Crunchie bar and Baileys had a delicious baby.
The creaminess sets off the crunch of the nests perfectly. If you can't go all out on sugar at Easter, when can you?
The Ham Situation
Easter ham deserves better than whatever random drink you grab from the fridge. Trust me on this.
A juicy roast ham (whether you're serving it hot on Sunday or cold in sandwiches for the next 87 days) pairs beautifully with Toro Loco Rosé Superior (£5.49, Aldi). This Spanish pink is made from the Bobal grape and has this gorgeous raspberry and spicy strawberry thing happening.
And it's cheap enough that you won't feel precious about opening another bottle when you're making those 2am leftover ham sandwiches. We've all been there.
Fancy-Looking Port That Won't Break the Bank
For traditional chocolate eggs (you know, the ones you pretend to buy for the kids but secretly demolish yourself), grab M&S Special Reserve Ruby Port Decanter (£6 for 20cl).
This fortified sweet red works with ALL chocolate - milk, dark, white, whatever. It's concentrated and berry-rich without being syrupy.
Plus the little decanter looks dead fancy on your table, and everyone will think you're sophisticated even though you're literally drinking port with chocolate eggs like some kind of posh toddler.
The Simnel Cake Revelation
Simnel cake is all about that thick layer of marzipan. That's just facts.
After trying about six different options (adn feeling slightly sick), I discovered that Asda's Amaretto Veroni (£6.58) is the perfect match. The almond liqueur amplifies the marzipan in a way that's almost... magical?
Wow.
That's all I can say. Just... wow.
What I'll Actually Be Drinking
Between us? After all this fancy pairing talk, I'll probably end up on the sofa by Sunday night with whatever chocolate survived the weekend and a large glass of whatever's open.
Because that's the beauty of Easter - it's four days of socially acceptable chocolate consumption with zero judgment.
And if all else fails, there's always Limoncello Spritz (£4.49, Aldi) - it goes with literally everything and feels like spring in a glass.
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- The average cost of raising a child in the U.S. is estimated to be around $233,610, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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