Virginia Craft Cocktail
” The Virginia Gold Bourbon Cold Brew”
Cold brew coffee, sorghum syrup, orange peel, and smoked sea salt. Served over one large cube. This cocktail balances sweet, bitter, and smoky tastes, reflecting the interplay of chocolate, peanut, and caramel.
Craft Mocktail Pairing:
“Apple Maple Cold Brew Tonic”
Cold Brew coffee, sparkling cider, maple syrup, smoked salt and orange zest. Rich and refreshing with the texture of a light digestif. Served over ice.Perfect for a non-alcoholic pairing that still feels indulgent and autumnal.
Fall Pumpkin and Spiced Pepita Brownie Variation Pairing:
Virginia Wines: Veritas Vineyards “Kenmar” An aromatic dessert wine with notes of orange blossom and spice, perfect for echoing pumpkin, nutmeg, and caramel. King Family Vineyards “Loreley” Port-style sweetness with hints of date and fig that tie seamlessly into pumpkin’s earthiness and the brittle’s warmth.
Virginia Craft Beers: Blue Mountain Brewery “Dark Hollow” Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout (Afton, VA) The bourbon barrel aging adds a smoky vanilla undertone that magnifies the fall spice and pumpkin purée. Triple Crossing “Falcon Smash” IPA (Richmond, VA) Citrus-forward hops provide a surprising brightness that refreshes between bites of rich pumpkin chocolate.
Virginia Ciders: Old Hill Cider “Yesteryear” A semi-dry cider with caramel apple notes that accentuate the dessert’s pumpkin spice and nutty brittleness. Ciderworks Farm “Autumn Blaze” (seasonal) Infused with cinnamon and clove, this cider complements the warmth of pumpkin and caramel perfectly.
Virginia Distilled Spirits: Copper Fox Distillery “Wasmund’s Single Malt” (Sperryville, VA) Smoked with applewood and cherrywood, its subtle sweetness and spice echo the toasted pumpkin seeds and caramel. Virago Spirits “Ruby Port Cask Rum” (Richmond, VA) A rum with rich dried fruit and toffee undertones — a luxurious companion to the fall brownie’s texture and spice.
Virginia Craft Cocktail:
“The Autumn Reverie Bowman Brothers Bourbon Toddy”, apple butter, lemon juice, spiced honey syrup, cinnamon dust. Served in a coupe with a cinnamon stick garnish — the warmth of Virginia autumn in a glass.
Craft Mocktail Pairing:
“Pumpkin Cider Cream Soda”
Sparkling apple cider, pumpkin purée, vanilla syrup, and a splash of soda over crushed ice. A festive, family-friendly pairing that mirrors the dessert’s flavors with light effervescence.
Pairing Philosophy: Both versions of this brownie represent Virginia’s terroir through dessert and drink. The classic version leans into roasted, nutty, and chocolate tones, while the fall variation highlights earthy, spiced, and caramelized notes. Together, they tell a full seasonal story, from summer’s peanut harvest through the golden glow of fall, meant to be enjoyed with the Commonwealth’s finest craft beverages.