Best cocktail and food pairing tips for a perfect meal

Cody Goldstein is a New York-based mixologist who has worked at spots such as Red Farm and The Fat Monk and now runs cocktail consulting company Muddling Memories. Here he shares his expert pairing suggestions.

You should pair your meal with a fino sherry or something with citrus and salt, such as a margarita. For sushi, try a cocktail that is neutral and light, such as a martini.

Spicy food such as curry goes well with daiquiris because citrus juice and sugar both help with heat.

When eating chicken, think “light and acidic” – something like an Aperol spritz. Those enjoying steak can try an Old Fashioned crafted with mezcal, as the smoky flavour of the Mexican spirit goes well with the char on the beef.

To complement the “bold flavours” of gamier meats such as lamb and venison, Goldstein recommends ordering a drink with darker spirits such as the Sazerac, which contains absinthe.

Fans of truffle should drink gin-based cocktails such as the Tom Collins or the gimlet because the clear spirit doesn’t overpower the delicate flavour of the fungi.

For cheese-based pasta dishes such as cacio e pepe, more “booze-forward” drinks like the classic Manhattan will cut through the heaviness.

Chocolate desserts go well with bubbles, so try the champagne-based cocktail French 75. With fruity desserts, try a drink topped with egg white foam, like a pisco sour, to add creaminess.

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This article was originally published in the January 2020 issue of SilverKris magazine