How to Pair Cocktails with Delicious Food

Posted by Rob A on August 13th, 2019

A great gathering is incomplete with delectable food paired with refreshing cocktails. A well put together food and drinks menu is the highlight of a great party. Pairing food and cocktails is all about balancing the flavors, and letting the essence of both the food and drinks to come through. The best cocktails bar in Sandy Springs, GA, offers a wide selection of unique cocktails and flavorful food for the perfect dining experience. If you love hosting and entertaining, keep reading to discover tops tips on how to combine food courses and drinks like a pro. Once you know how to create the perfect blend of flavors, your food and drinks menu will the steal the show.

Contrasting Flavors

The most important principle when creating a food and drinks menu is to ensure that flavors of the two are distinct. Your cocktail must bring out the best essence of the food, and vice versa. The best way to achieve this is to offer food and drinks with clearly distinguishable tastes. Spicy dishes pair well with sweet cocktails that don’t feature an overwhelming dose of alcohol. Soft flavors, like a mild buttery seafood dish tastes best with a zesty drink. High-gravity drinks with more emphasis on liquor go well with very flavorful dishes that can balance the strong flavor of alcohol.

Focus on Clean Flavors

A gourmet meal tastes luscious when the bold flavors of the food and drinks shine through. Pair food and drinks that don’t clash, rather complement each other. If you’re serving a heavy meal with robust flavor profile, avoid crowding your guests’ palate with a full-body cocktail. Simple cocktails go best with flavorful meals and boldly flavored cocktails are great when served with mild dishes.

Classic Combinations

While there’s nothing wrong with experimenting with creative pairings, here are a few classic combinations that never go wrong. Whiskey is a great combination with a hearty steak, making for a classy formal dinner. For a light and refreshing summer brunch menu, pair French 75 and a Crostini with a Lemon-Basil Ricotta Spread; the lemony flavor of the cocktail and the Crostini will complement each other, giving your menu a tantalizingly flavorful touch. A spicy tequila is an excellent accompaniment to hot Mexican dishes like chips and piquant salsa.

Pairing food and cocktails is an art that can be learnt and mastered by playing around with flavors. To sample finest drinks and delicious food, head to the best cocktails bar in Sandy Springs GA.