Citrusy and bittersweet drinks, which go under the umbrella term "amaro" or digestif, go well with creamy desserts like tiramisu and panna cotta, and they can also go over a ball of ice cream like you would in an Affogato. They will also pair well with milk chocolate, almond, and hazelnut, or the following fruits: strawberries, grapes, cherries, and figs.
If this sounds to you like spending time in a chemistry lab, here's a mistake-proof, 5-minute hack that will help you decide which liquors you like: add 1 tsp of your selected liquor to a cup of whipped cream. Season it with a few pinches of sugar and a sprinkle of salt. This goes over a piece of chocolate cake or ice cream.
Another mistake-proof pairing is almond or coffee liquors with any chocolate dessert.
There's room for unique liquors as well: the rule of thumb is to pair similar tastes. If it's a Limoncello, tune into that lemony citrusy hues and pair it in a citrusy dessert of any kind. A cherry liquor will go into cherry pie and so on. If you're using a spicy liquor it can complement the pumpkin spice in your pies. Bottoms up!
H/T: Epicurious
