What Do You Drink with Panettone? | Enjoying Panettone the Italian Way

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The epitome of Northern Italian flavours, panettone is a classic dessert, and a staple on the table during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Known for its tall, dome shape and light texture, the sweet bread is often gifted as a Christmas treat, filled with candied fruit, such as lemon or orange peel, chocolate, and raisins. But, how can the right drink elevate the flavour profile of panettone?

Here, we will explore how to maximise the flavours and textures of traditional panettone, uncovering the best drinks to pair with it, and how to choose the best combination for your palate.

Why Pairing Matters: Enhancing the Flavours of Panettone

Panettone is known for its soft, almost pillow-like crumb, made with careful and precise baking, reminiscent of brioche. Expect a melt-in-the-mouth, light texture that is moist without ever being soggy or dense. Buttery, fruity, and delicately sweet, panettone’s richness and lightness embody Italy’s iconic culture.

Pairing a drink with panettone is perfect for unleashing the complex flavours, enhancing your overall experience. Choosing a light drink, such as a sweet wine or sparkling Prosecco, can help balance the richness of panettone and complement its sweet flavours. To contrast sweetness with bitterness for a complex palate, Italian coffee, such as an espresso or cappuccino, is the perfect cup.

Panettone is a seasonal dessert, often enjoyed between the Christmas and New Year seasons. Drinks and food go hand in hand during these holidays – a perfect opportunity to test pairing combinations of drinks and panettone.

But the choice is yours! Think about the flavours you enjoy and the taste you want to bring out of your panettone. Whether it’s the sweetness, richness, fruity flavours or tartness – there's a drink that will best suit your palate!

Read more about what does panettone taste like here.

Classic Italian Combinations: What Do You Drink with Panettone?

In Italy, panettone is more than just a cake – it's a deeply ingrained part of the country's culture, originating from Milan. Enjoyed religiously throughout the holiday season, panettone is often paired with something in a glass to balance the unique texture and sweet flavours.

• A Light and Sweet Moscato d’Asti: This sparkling dessert wine from Piedmont (Northwest Italy) is low on alcohol, floral on the nose, and naturally sweet. Italians favour pairing Moscato d’Asti with panettone to lift the sweet bread’s airy texture without overpowering either flavour. Perfect for traditional panettone filled with candied fruit or raisins.

• The Tuscan Vin Santo: For richer and more indulgent flavours, Vin Santo is a more complex wine from the central Tuscan region. It brings out the nutty and dried fruit flavours from panettone, and the dessert wine’s density beautifully contrasts with the pillow-like crumb.

• A Strong Italian Espresso: What screams Italian culture more than the classic espresso? Italians often end their meal with an espresso, and panettone is the perfect companion during the festive season. Contrast panettone’s sweetness with the bitterness of authentic Italian coffee – the perfect balance that brings out both flavours gracefully.

At Carluccio’s, our Italian bakers produce panettone exclusively between September and December, just in time for the festivities. With a variety of unique flavours, including limoncello and gluten-free options, make sure you don’t miss out on this year's luxury artisan panettone.

Browse our entire panettone collection and sign up for first access here!

Pairing Panettone with Alcohol

Panettone is a staple on the Christmas table - and what's the festive season without alcohol? The Italian sweet bread pairs beautifully with a number of alcoholic drinks that enhance its soft, buttery texture and delicate sweetness.

From bringing in the New Year, toasting a special occasion, finishing a meal, or simply catching up with friends, the right alcohol is perfect for enjoying every slice of panettone.

• Sweet Wines: As mentioned above, sweet wines like Moscato d’Asti and Vin Santo are loved by Italians for pairing with panettone. Their sweetness complements its light, airy texture.

• Limoncello or Amaretto: Quintessentially Italian, limoncello’s zest and alcoholic kick harmonise well with panettone’s airy and citrusy notes – especially if candied fruit, such as orange or lemon peel, is in its centre. Other regional favourites include amaretto, bringing out the aromatic flavours of nutty varieties.

Elevate flavours further with a zesty limoncello filling in your panettone:

Shop Carluccio’s Panettone al Limoncello here.

• Prosecco: A classic drink for celebrating, prosecco is often enjoyed throughout the festive season, especially New Year’s Eve. Pair sparkling prosecco with a slice of panettone for a refreshing taste.

• Dark Rum or Brandy: If you’re looking for a chocolate panettone, consider pairing it with a stronger spirit to bring out the richness of the cake.

Non-Alcoholic Options to Consider

But, you don’t need alcohol to enjoy panettone at its best. Many non-alcoholic drinks pair well with dessert – great for breakfasts, cosy brunches, and afternoon treats.

Start your day right with these combinations of panettone and drinks:

• Italian Hot Chocolate: For an indulgent taste, both classic and chocolate panettone pair sweetly with hot chocolate. The deep chocolate flavour contrasts with the melt-in-the-mouth texture, turning the slice into a comforting dessert during the winter months.

• Warm Milk with Cinnamon: A child-favourite amongst Italians, this nostalgic drink adds a gentle warmth and subtle spice to the sweet bread. The cinnamon complements the citrus and dried fruit fillings, softening each bite with the milk.

• Freshly Brewed Coffee: Panettone is often served and enjoyed first thing in the morning. Imagine sitting in an Italian coffee bar, washing down a lovely slice of panettone with a strong espresso to balance its sweetness.

For Italian coffee, look no further than Carluccio’s. Sourcing high-quality coffee beans from across the world, we use traditional Italian roasting methods to ensure every cup is as authentic as possible. From the sweet Northern Italy (Milano) to the stronger and bitter Southern flavours, there’s a style perfect for all coffee lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you drink with different styles of panettone?

Though the classic panettone with candied fruit and raisins pairs beautifully with sweet wines or an Italian espresso, different varieties come with the perfect drink pairing.

A richer chocolate panettone, which replaces dried fruit with milk and dark chocolate pieces, pairs well with a dark rum, coffee liqueur, or strong espresso. For a zesty and refreshing limoncello panettone, try a light sparkling wine or well-chilled limoncello.

Read our guide on what does panettone taste like and the different types that influence flavour here.

What wine goes best with classic panettone?

Traditional panettone pairs well with sweet and aromatic wines that complement the soft, airy texture and citrusy notes, enhancing the wonderful aromas of panettone. The classic Italian choice is Moscato d’Asti, which is low in alcohol, sparkling, and with delicate floral and peach flavours.

Prosecco and Vin Santo are also great choices.

Can I serve panettone with tea?

Of course! Various types of tea pair well with panettone. Earl Grey enhances the sweetness, whereas light and citrus-fused herbal teas elevate the natural fruity notes of panettone without overpowering them. Both are refreshing and ideal for a relaxed afternoon snack.

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