Summer is still here– and of course, nothing pairs better than cold cocktails and flaming barbecue in this season. Chaco Flaco RTD cocktails are founded on the premise of using only healthy, clean ingredients and all-natural flavors. In fact– it’s right in our name! “Flaco” means “Skinny”! So if you don’t feel like firing up the grill or eating something heavy, here are some snacks and appetizers you can try instead.
Best Canned Cocktail & Snack Pairings this Summer
Here are some light and healthy snack pairing ideas so you can ditch the traditional heavy, unhealthy summer food options, and enjoy Chaco Flaco full-flavored craft sparkling cocktails without all the calorie guilt!
Vodka Berry Mule & Bite-sized Canapés
This healthy, clean Chaco Flaco twist on the classic moscow mule is perfect for extra-light pairings, like bite-sized canapés. These can include:
- Fruit preserves
These are fruits chopped into small pieces and combined with a syrup or jam to contain them and keep them fresh. While adding sugar to fruit preserves compliments the flavor of your cocktail, try lowering the sugar content, or use. Popular fruit choices include bananas, berries, avocados, melons, and grapefruit.
- Crackers with cream cheese and herbs
These are easy to prepare and easy on the belly. Not to mention, Chaco Flaco’s Vodka Berry Mule helps to cut through the cheese! This canned cocktail is a Vodka Ginger Brew, with berry, mint, and cucumber flavors. For an even healthier take, you can prepare cream cheese at home with healthier ingredients, or go for low-fat alternatives like Greek Yogurt.
- Smoked fish
Fish always pairs well with cocktails. We love smoky and salty varieties like mackerel and salmon. Their salty and sweet flavor enhance the lightness of vodka. You can serve smoked fish at your next party as fillets, salads, warm pasta or as a topping for toast and crackers.
Strawberry Daiquiri & Cheesy/Fruity Snacks
Daiquiri also pairs well with usual suspects: fruits and seafood. But traditional strawberry daiquiris are filled with calories and sugar. Our Chaco Flaco Strawberry Daiquiri cocktail is a healthy, flavorful alternative and best paired with these snack ideas:
- Tropical Sweet Trail Mix
This nutty snack pairing works well in large batches and can be easily stored in dry sealed containers. Ingredients include roasted almonds, roasted cashews, raw walnut pieces, dried cherries, and raisins. You can also add dried banana chips, pineapple chunks, and some dark chocolate! Simply mix these ingredients in a large bowl, and pour oven-baked coconut shavings on them.
- Trendy Cheese Combinations
Rum and cheese go hand-in-hand, and it’s always good to add some accouterments to the mix. Take any dried fruit and nut crisp, and combine with a dried apricot preserve and some blue cheese. Sprinkle it with balsamic and gulp it with Chaco Flaco’s Strawberry Daiquiri. Or add a spread of soft creamy brie on a buttered crostini. Add an apple slice and some raw honey, and let the healthy and tasty sensations tantalize your senses!
- Dark Chocolate
Snacks don’t always have to be salty or spicy. Dark chocolate makes a good alcohol bite, especially if you have a sweet tooth. You can also go for Gianduja, which is even lighter than traditional dark chocolate.
Mango Margarita & Mexican Foods
While almost everything pairs with a margarita, keeping it healthy can sometimes be difficult. We recommend these healthy Mexican cuisine while sipping on our Mango Margarita:
- Shrimp Tacos
Throwing a cocktail party? Try serving shrimp tacos. These treats are prepared easily by adding blue corn tortilla to grilled shrimp. Seafood tacos are healthier than other varieties, offering vital nutrients like vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids. For those who may not want seafood, we recommend getting lean chicken tacos. Or swap out the tortillas for lettuce wraps for a low-carb, even healthier option!
- Cauliflower Ceviche
This fresh twist on a classic appetizer is a perfect, healthy pairing for Chaco Flaco cocktails! Not only healthy, by replacing the traditional seafood or meat ingredient with cauliflower, this light snack can be prepared to appeal to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free lifestyles.
Cheers to Your Health
To sum up, most snacks that pair with drinks are heavy on carbs and fat. Not only do they make it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but can also ruin the buzz. At Chaco Flaco, we promote a holistic, healthy lifestyle for both food and drinks. That’s why we created our RTD cocktails to be easily accessible, for a health-conscious and responsible drinking experience.
All of our RTD cocktail flavors are gluten-free, dairy-free, with no high fructose corn syrups (HFCS), no artificial ingredients, plus lower calories, lower sodium, lower sugar, and flavors and colors made with real fruit, and no added sugar.
Where to Find Chaco Flaco Products
Chaco Flaco’s RTD canned cocktails are the best companion for scorching summers. Our award-winning canned cocktails bring together the best flavors and craft spirits.
To find locations nearest to you or retailers with Chaco Flaco, click “Find Chaco” on our website. And don’t forget to check back frequently, as we continue to grow and share our love of flavor and cocktails in more establishments across the US!