COOKIES & COCKTAILS

The best Girl Scout Cookie and booze pairings for the bluegrass fan

Candance Nelson

It’s a special time of year for a food lover. You may celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with corned beef and potatoes. Maybe you’re celebrating Mardi Gras with King Cake. Or, you might enjoy a delicious curry while celebrating Holi.

But for this lifelong Girl Scout, March means Cookie Season. That’s right: Thin Mints, Samoas (or Caramel DeLites), Tagalongs (or Peanut Butter Patties), and this year’s newcomer, Adventurefuls, are prime palate pleasers this month as they make headlines with delivery notices throughout the country.

And I know I’m not alone in my love for the seasonal treat. The Bluegrass region of the country has good taste in these famous sweets. According to research from Influenster in 2017, Tagalongs, Thin Mints, and Samoas were the top sellers throughout Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

Girl Scout Cookies are big business. They’re like the Alison Krauss of cookies. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest entrepreneurial program for girls in the world.

If you want to experience these cookies the right way, put that Krauss record on in the background, pull out those boxes of cookies and pair them up with these

Girl Scouts Cookie: Samoa Drink Pairing: Mudslide

The Samoa may be the most indulgent cookie with its chocolate, caramel, and coconut. So, naturally, it goes well with an adult version of hot chocolate. If you’re feeling froggy, crumble up some Samoas to top your drink with for some extra texture.

Girl Scout Cookie: Adventurefuls Drink Pairing: Martini

I’ve not had as much time to experiment with this year’s brand new cookie, but I can tell you very few things don’t pair well with brownies and caramel in my book. That’s why we’re going with the martini. The martini serves as a blank canvas and will allow any other flavors to shine. For bonus points, try an espresso martini to pull out the bitterness that pairs with the indulgence of this cookie.

Girl Scout Cookie: Tagalongs Drink Pairing: White Russian

As one of my personal favorites, the Tagalong pairs with almost everything; it’s crunchy and chocolatey and peanut buttery and doesn’t get much better. But if

you want the classic milk and cookie combo, the White Russian comes pretty close. A coffee liquor, vanilla vodka, and sweet cream or milk take this experience to the next level.

Girl Scout Cookie: Thin Mint Drink Pairing: Mojito

If you’re looking for refreshing flavors, look no further. The mojito is a citrusy, minty fresh drink that benefits from the chocolatey cookie to make a well-rounded treat.

Girl Scout Cookie: Trefoil Drink Pairing: Old Fashioned

The Trefoil is a simple, shortbread cookie that pairs well with coffee, hot chocolate, tea, or a classic old-fashioned. The old-fashioned has notes of spices and citrus that complement the simplicity of the buttery cookie.

Girl Scout Cookie: Girl Scout S’mores Drink Pairing: Moscow Mule

There’s something about the spicy ginger cocktail that makes me want to sit around a campfire. Or maybe a fireplace. Either way, it gives off the same vibe as

helps balance out the sweetness. s’mores. Warm up your s’more cookie to serve with the cold copper mug drink for more contrast.

Girl Scout Cookie: Lemon-ups

Drink Pairing: Margarita If you’re a fan of citrus, this is the pairing for you. The sweet lemon flavor in the crunchy cookie goes well with the lime juice from the margarita. Bonus: the salted rim

Girl Scout Cookie: Do-si-dos Drink Pairing: Strawberry Daiquiri

There are few combinations better than the classic peanut butter and jelly, which this pairing emulates. The crunchy peanut butter cookie with the sweet, fruity daiquiri makes for a delicious grown-up version of the childhood favorite.

Girl Scout Cookie: Toffee-tastic Drink Pairing: Hot Buttered Rum

The gluten-free cookie is buttery and crunchy, so the hot buttered rum complements the flavors and helps moisten up the Toffee-tastic. In this case, the drink may be more flavorful than the cookie, which pairs well, so neither is fighting for attention.

In full disclosure, I am employed by the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council, and opinions expressed here do not reflect those of the Council. They are solely my own. I’ve always loved Girl Scout Cookies, so I’m excited to share my devotion - especially paired with booze.