This guest post is written by Denis from CigarInspector.com, a cigar blogger since 2007.

When you think of cigar pairings, what’s the first liquor you think of?  Whisky, rum, bourbon, cognac?  These are the most common pairings to be sure, but a lot of cigar connoisseurs overlook one of the most fun and versatile pairings out there: cigars and cocktails.  Pairing cigars with cocktails is quite rare, but it can be rewarding because you can choose whatever ingredients you want to put in your cocktail.  That means you can adapt the cocktail to perfectly accompany the strength and body of your cigar.  The best part is, it fits your tastes!

The strength and body of cigars can be grouped into three different categories: mild, medium, or full-bodied.  Read on to discover some of my favorite cocktails to go with all three.  Most are widely available and easy to prepare, and they give you a great starting point for creating your own cocktails.

Mild Cigars

Mild cigars go particularly well with cocktails that use coffee or Irish cream.  Here are a couple of my favorites:

• Mudslide.  This vodka-based drink can be made using 3 equal parts vodka, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream liqueur.  Just fill a glass with ice, pour an ounce of each ingredients into a cocktail shaker, shake, and strain into the glass.

• Black Russian.  This is a similar drink which uses vodka and coffee liqueur.  Mix about 1 ¾ oz vodka with ¾ oz coffee liqueur into a glass filled with ice and stir.

If you’re not a big fan of vodka (as you can see I am), you can replace it with Malibu or Amaretto for an ever softer experience.

Medium-Bodied Cigars

With medium-bodied cigars, like the Avo Domaine, I like Irish coffee (in the winter) or a stinger.

• Irish coffee.  Mix 1 ½ oz Irish whiskey with a tablespoon of brown sugar, 6 oz of hot coffee, and as much heavy cream as you want.  Mix the first three ingredients together, and put the cream on top to complete this drink. If you would like to pair a hot drink with a milder cigar, you can try Irish Hot Cocoa instead.

• Stinger.  Stingers are made using brandy and white crème de menthe liqueur.  Typically they are paired with chocolate desserts, but they go very well with medium-bodied stogies.  Mix 1 ¾ oz brandy with ¾ oz white crème de menthe (you can use green if you want, but the mixture is visually unappealing).  Pour into a glass with crushed ice and stir (shaking is optional).

Full-Bodied Cigars

For full-bodied cigars, I enjoy an Old Fashioned cocktail using a quality single-malt Scotch like the Macallan 12 y.o..  Try a recipe with 2 oz whisky with 1 sugar cube, 1 dash of bitters, 1 slice of lemon, 1 orange and 1 cherry.  Start by combining the bitters, sugar cube, and a teaspoon of water in an old-fashioned glass.  Once they are well integrated, add your whiskey and stir well.  Now add your ice cubes and lemon peel, along with your orange slices and cherry. If you want to go pro, try the Speyside New Fashion by The Mad Malt Mixologist (bottom of the page).

All of these recipes are customizable according to your taste, and you’ll find many variations of them if you search online.  Once you get to know the different flavor profiles and how they interact with your cigars to bring out their notes, you can start customizing these recipes or trying new ones.  Let us know your favorite cigar-cocktail pairings in the comments below!