# Eccentric Complementary Consumers turn to obscure food and alcohol pairings. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published May 20, 2014 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/indulgent-pairing ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.8/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Eccentric Complementary trend? **Eccentric Complementary:** As foodie culture expands, methods of indulgence are receiving both sweet and savory enhancements to satiate a desire for diversifying palates. Seeking to enhance alcoholic consumption, consumers are turning to obscure food pairings to elevate both flavor and aesthetic appeal. Combining the sophisticated nature of alcohol with savory, down-to-earth eats reflects a move away from prestigious methods of indulgence towards more individually satisfying, and palatable combinations of everyday consumption. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 17, 2013 to Apr 19, 2014 - Published: May 20, 2014 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Eccentric Complementary trend ### Unlikely Food and Alcohol Pairings Consumers are gravitating towards obscure and unexpected flavor and aesthetic combinations of food and alcohol. ### Date Night Snack Pairings Businesses can create sophisticated and cozy date night snack pairings to provide couples with an elevated culinary experience. ### Alcoholic Beverage Innovation There are opportunities to create innovative alcoholic beverages, such as alcoholic cookie drinks and fantasy-themed cocktails, that play with unexpected flavors and textures. ## What the Eccentric Complementary trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage The food and beverage industry can use these trends to create new flavor and aesthetic pairings that will delight their clients. ### For Hospitality Innovative snack and drink pairings can be incorporated into hotel, restaurant and bar menus, offering customers an elevated and unique experience. ### For Alcohol The alcohol industry can capitalize on the increasing popularity of unconventional food and alcohol combinations, creating new and innovative products with unexpected flavors. ## Trend signals for Eccentric Complementary Trend score 2.8 out of 10, from popularity 48%, activity 27%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 48% - Activity: 27% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Eccentric Complementary trend 5 featured examples from Apr 17, 2013 to Apr 19, 2014. - [Unlikely Alcohol Pairings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/guide-to-fast-food-wine-pairings): The Guide to Fast Food & Wine Pairings Classes Up Casual Meals (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Pairing wine with fast food and exploring unconventional food and drink pairings could create new markets for restaurants and beverage companies. - [Gourmet Date Night Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woodbridge-by-robert-mondavi): Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi and Miss Vickie's Make the Perfect Couple (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Partnering with food brands to offer unique flavor pairings is an opportunity for wine and spirits companies to expand their market and attract new customers. - [Innocent Alcohol Pairings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/girl-scout-cookies-beer-pairings): The Girl Scout Cookies Beer Pairings Seems Controversial & Contradicting (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Craft breweries have a unique opportunity to create innovative beer pairings with various food items for enhanced customer experience. - [Alcoholic Cookie Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oreo-drink): Michael Voltaggio Created an Oreo Drink Called 'Oreo Shandy' (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for alcoholic beverage manufacturers to explore new product lines, especially in the dessert and snack categories. - [Spicy Fantasy-Themed Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruity-cocktail): This Game of Thrones Fruity Cocktail Celebrates the Fantasy Show (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Bars and restaurants could benefit from incorporating fantasy-themed cocktails and spicy flavor pairings to attract and retain a diverse customer base. ## Recent trend clusters - [Gentle Diagnostics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/home-heart-screening) (Lifestyle) - [Targeted Macros](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/functional-protein-ingredients) (Lifestyle) - [Flavor Borrowing](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/soft-drink-flavor-mashups) (Lifestyle) - [Silent Triage](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/passive-health-wearables) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Holiday-Inspired Potato Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holiday-inspired-potato-chips) - [Influencer-Curated Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kit-keenan) - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Fashionable Frozen Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aritzias-aok-caf) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)