Popcorn and cheese wine garnishes are a playful, easy way to dress up your wine—and double as a tasty snack. Why should cocktails have all the fun?
I make a lot of cocktails on this site, and one of my favorite parts of crafting drinks—besides tasting them—is designing a garnish. A well-chosen garnish can elevate a drink from good to memorable.
Garnishes can be purely decorative, like a sprig of rosemary, or edible, like the tiny bites used on tequila shots. But wine rarely gets any garnish attention, so I created these popcorn and cheese wine skewers to change that.
Wine and cheese are a classic pairing, and adding popcorn—seasoned with bacon-and-cheese flavor in this case—brings a playful crunch that works with both red and white wines.
These kabobs are visually appealing and simple to assemble. Be sure to offer extra popcorn and cheese in bowls for guests, since one skewer per glass may not be enough if you’re enjoying several pours.
You can choose any cheeses you prefer. I kept things simple with cheddar and Colby Jack, but blue cheese, gruyère, feta, or gouda would all be great alternatives depending on the wine you serve.
For the popcorn, pop your preferred variety, toss it with a few tablespoons of melted butter so seasoning adheres, then add the popcorn seasoning of your choice. I used a bacon-and-cheese blend, but any savory seasoning will work.
To assemble the skewers, thread a piece of popcorn onto a cocktail skewer, then add a cube of cheese, alternating until the skewer is filled. Make several ahead of time so you can quickly add one to a fresh glass when needed.
These popcorn and cheese wine garnishes are perfect for happy hour, cocktail hour, or any casual gathering where wine is served. They add charm and a tasty nibble without much effort.
If you have a different wine garnish idea, I’d love to hear it—leave a comment below!
Popcorn and Cheese Wine Garnish
- Author: Dan
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
This easy, playful garnish is ideal for happy hour and pairs beautifully with a variety of wines.
Ingredients
- 4 cups popcorn
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- Popcorn seasoning, any flavor (I used bacon-and-cheese)
- 4 ounces Colby cheese, cubed
- 4 ounces Cheddar cheese, cubed
Instructions
- Pour the melted butter over the popped popcorn and toss to coat evenly.
- Thread a piece of popcorn onto a cocktail skewer, then add a cube of cheese, alternating until the skewer is filled.
- Place the finished skewer on the rim of a wine glass and serve.
- Offer extra popcorn and cheese in bowls so guests can snack between glasses.
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American