The wine was and still is one of the most important components of modern cuisine and a modern diet in many cultures around the world. We use wine to cook, relax at home, celebrate special occasions, and anything in between. Similarly, coffee is also a big part of modern western culture.
For some, coffee is literal fuel that gets them through the day. One unusual question that doesn’t get asked too often is what would happen if you combined coffee with wine? As it turns out, the results aren’t so bad. On the contrary, they’re impressive!
Wine and Coffee are Universally Liked
Alcohol has played an important role in our cultural development throughout history. This isn’t to say that our predecessors were abusing alcohol. The cultural value of various alcoholic drinks stems from their widespread use in different ceremonies, both religious and otherwise.
Wine is about as popular as it gets when it comes to alcoholic drinks that permeated our collective cultures. Used since ancient times, the wine was once considered to be the nectar of the gods.
Today, wine is enjoying a similar reputation. Those who appreciate this drink come from all walks of life. It’s a classless alcoholic product that is found in homes of rich and poor alike. The same goes for coffee.
Mixing Wine and Coffee has a Long Tradition
Although people don’t think of coffee and wine in the same context very often, these two beverages have been mixed since the late 19th century. Namely, the monks of Buckfast Abbey, in Devon, UK have been making this drink that was essentially coffee-infused wine.
Their practices have spawned a whole range of similar drinks. Interestingly enough, the monks from this order are still making the very same drink they call Buckfast tonic wine.
Both are Packed with Antioxidants
Another reason why coffee and wine are a perfect match is the benefits both of these drinks bring aside from their awesome taste. It was known for a long time that wine, especially red wine, is packed with antioxidants. A substance called polyphenols is present in most types of red wine and is known to have a protective effect on the lining of blood vessels as well as the health of your cardiovascular system as a whole.
Then there’s coffee. Experts from PureBean.com.au note that coffee is packed full of antioxidants that come in the form of acids. Chlorogenic, caffeic, n-coumaric, and ferulic acids are all extremely potent antioxidants that will keep your body healthier when consumed in the right doses.
Compatible Tastes that Simply Work
One interesting thing about the coffee and wine combo is that it works both ways. In other words, coffee-infused wine creates a very strong, rich-tasting wine that is often close to liquor as far as taste goes.
However, you can flip the process around and create wine-infused coffee beans. The idea is to soak the beans in the wine of your choosing prior to grinding them up. Such a recipe creates a very strong, but unique tasting coffee drink that brings the best of both worlds.
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Coffee and wine share the same organic, somewhat earthy flavor, although they sit at the opposite ends of the spectrum. This statement will probably cause you to tilt your head in disbelief and that’s fine. Connecting the two flavors isn’t intuitive, but they’re on the same spectrum.
Wine and Coffee Cocktails as Proof of Craftsmanship
There are many reasons why one would mix coffee with wine and most of them have to do with the aroma and flavor of the resulting drink. However, achieving the right flavor in your wine/coffee cocktail isn’t a binary process. There is a whole gradient of flavors between pure wine and coffee-infused wine.
One interesting bit of info shows that many bartenders and cocktail masters use wine and coffee to show off their skills. Creating such a cocktail is a great way to explore the limits of different flavors and give the customer a completely unique experience.
A Mix that Bridges the Gap
Drinking a glass of wine brings tangible health benefits. It’s not just the antioxidants that are helpful. Many other substances in wine are good for your neurological health, gut flora, and other parts of your organism.
However, not everyone is content with drinking wine. Using coffee to add some flavor to a glass of red wine is often a great way to consume a healthy amount of this ancient beverage even if you’re not the greatest fan of the flavor.
Caffeine Negates the Effects of Alcohol
There have been numerous studies done on the effects of alcohol on caffeine and vice versa. While some findings suggest that consuming these two substances in amounts too high can cause certain side effects, they also suggest that there is a rather good side to mixing wine with coffee.
As it turns out, adding caffeine to alcohol negates its effects on the body. Those who concede coffee-infused wine are going to be more sober compared to their counterparts who consumed regular wine.
Both Coffee and Wine Bring the Same Level of Nuance
Coffee and wine both have many layers to them once you scratch the surface. Wine tasting events are surprisingly similar to coffee tasting events because there is so much range to both coffee and wine. That is partially the reason why wine aficionados are often coffee aficionados as well.
Finding your taste in wine and coffee can be an exciting adventure that takes you all over the globe using nothing but your taste buds.
Moderation is Key
Although both individual drinks bring proven health benefits when consumed alone or together, you definitely want to exercise moderation. Mixing alcohol with caffeine can give you a sense of sobriety that isn’t necessarily real.
It is extremely easy to get a false sense of sobriety if you go overboard with the cocktails described above. Exercise caution and moderation. That way we can all enjoy the little things in life without causing any potential problems down the line.
