Fastachi Cranberry Nut Mix

Fastachi Cranberry Nut Mix is a snack mix from Esplanda, and as the name says, it combines cranberries with nuts. It is not a liquid cocktail mixer, and it has no ABV. The product details don't list the exact nut varieties, the roast or salt level, or the weight, so check the label for those. Mixes built on dried cranberries and nuts usually pair the berries' sweet-tart chew with the richness of roasted nuts. Expect some salt to balance the fruit. Because the fruit and salt sit side by side, the mix suits drinks with a bit of bitterness, acidity or dryness. A gin and tonic, a Negroni or an Old Fashioned all have enough edge to cut through the nuts' fat. A dry sparkling wine or a crisp lager would also work against the cranberry sweetness. Fruity red wines and amber ales are reasonable matches for the same reason. Sweet cocktails are the weaker match, since the dried fruit already supplies sweetness. For serving, keep it at room temperature in a small bowl so the nuts stay crisp and the cranberries soft. Chilling or refrigerating tends to dull both. A shallow dish lets guests pick out the cranberry pieces, and a separate small bowl for any shells or pits is useful if the nuts aren't pre-shelled. The mix is also worth scattering over a cheese board next to a soft or aged cheese, where the cranberry acts like a built-in chutney.