Pork is a versatile meat that can be prepared in endless ways. From pork chops to roasts, kebabs, bacon and more, pork takes well to various cooking methods and pairs nicely with many flavors. When cooking pork at home, half the fun is figuring out what cocktails or wines will complement the dish best!
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most delicious drink options to enjoy with your favorite pork recipes. Whether you’re sipping on beer, wine or crafting a cocktail, keep reading for tips on finding that perfect beverage match.
Factors That Impact Pork and Drink Pairings
There are a few key considerations when selecting an alcohol pairing for pork
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Preparation method – Grilled, baked, braised, etc will impact the intensity of flavors.
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Spices and seasonings – Savory spices like garlic and thyme or sweet flavors like brown sugar will determine what drink complements best.
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Sauces – Rich, tangy BBQ sauce or a bright chimichurri will each call for different drink matches.
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Sides – Starchy potatoes, crisp salad or buttery noodles makes a difference.
In general, pork is a versatile protein that pairs well with both light and bold drinks. Keep these factors in mind as you review the delicious pairing options below.
7 Tasty Drink Pairings for Pork Dishes
1. Sparkling Wine
Bubbly wines like Prosecco, Cava or Champagne make excellent pairings for lighter pork dishes. Acidity cuts through fat, and tiny bubbles refresh the palate. Sparkling wines complement baked or grilled pork chops seasoned simply with herbs or spice rubs. The effervescence matches well with sides like roasted potatoes or veggies too.
For pork tenderloin or roasts, opt for a vintage brut Champagne or dry rosé sparkling wine. The complexity stands up to the richness of the pork. Serve alongside mushroom risotto or garlic mashed potatoes.
2. Light, Fruity White Wines
Juicy, bright white wines offset the fattiness of pork beautifully. Good options include Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Pinot Grigio or dry Rieslings. Herb-crusted pork medallions or a sunny citrus-glazed pork roast make flavorful pairings for a refreshing white wine.
For spicy preparations featuring flavors like garlic, chilies and cumin, reach for a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. The zesty grapefruit and gooseberry flavors tame the heat while complementing spices.
3. Rosé
Dry rosé wines offer enough body and acidity to stand up to pork’s richness but don’t overpower the meal. Rosés pair well with casual favorites like pulled pork sandwiches, baby back ribs with BBQ sauce or carnitas tacos.
Look for rosés with berry, melon or citrus notes and a crisp mineral finish. The acid provides balance alongside tangy slaws or macaroni salads. Avoid sweeter pink moscato wines, which clash with savory pork flavors.
4. Light, Crisp Lagers & Pilsners
When eating sausages, hot dogs or other grilled pork on a warm day, you can’t go wrong with a cold, fizzy lager. German-style helles, Czech pilsner or American light lagers offer easy drinking refreshment between bites. The effervescence and mild bitterness cut through fat and spice nicely.
Lagers also allow the pork’s flavors to shine when kept simple, like beer-braised brats or bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin. Try pairing with potato pancakes, creamy coleslaw or crisp dill pickles on the side.
5. Hefeweizens & Wheat Beers
The pleasant, malty sweetness of hefeweizen complements pork’s richness but doesn’t overpower it. The wheat beer’s signature aromas of banana and clove align well with pork dishes featuring warm spices like cumin, paprika, cayenne and chili powder.
Hefeweizens pair nicely with carnitas nachos, empanadas, tamales or enchiladas. The slight tartness offsets the fat while fruit and spice flavors mesh perfectly. The beer’s frothy head adds a fun, festive factor too.
6. Cider
Whether sweet or dry, sparkling or still, cider makes a fantastic match for pork. Apple and pear notes provide a pleasing contrast to savory meat flavors. Dry ciders work well with pulled pork, ribs with tangy BBQ and bacon or sausage-based meals.
For sweeter pork preparations featuring ingredients like orange marmalade, maple syrup or brown sugar, sip on a semi-sweet or pear cider. The touch of residual sugar balances the meal beautifully.
7. Cocktails
In terms of mixed drinks, opt for cocktails with a light, citrusy or sparkling profile. Vodka or gin-based drinks with soda water, tonic and fresh citrus complement pork nicely. The botanical flavors and fizz cleanse the palate between bites.
For sweeter pork like honey-baked ham or maple glazed chops, try an Old Fashioned made with bourbon and touches of sugar and bitters to offset the flavor. Or mix up a classic Mojito, made with rum, lime juice, mint and club soda for a refreshing pairing.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment!
Hopefully these suggestions give you some delicious ideas for your next pork feast! Don’t limit yourself though – feel free to get creative and try unique drink pairings to find new favorites. Not sure where to start? Ask your local wine merchant or bartender for recommendations based on your menu.
Pay attention as you eat and sip. Note flavors that complement each other well and those that clash. Keep a journal of successful pairings and you’ll gradually learn how to expertly match food and drink like a pro!
Cocktail Pairing
Barbecue pork has bold, daring flavors that call for a drink with light, airy flavors and a darker spirit base. Aged whiskeys and rums are excellent bases for this pairing. When topped with soda, the darker spirits add freshness to the meal. A few suggestions include the whiskey-based John Collins, Lynchburg lemonade, or the simple highball. For a rum drink, the Anejo highball–mixed with ginger beer–is a perfect choice. The ginger beer makes this drink the darkest selection of the bunch.
Wine Pairing
For a tangy barbecue pork recipe, you might want to opt for a refreshing rosé wine. Most foods go well with rosé wine. It can handle the sweet and sour flavors of barbecue sauce as well as the onion, pepper, and clove spice added to the mix. For example, you could try a Montes Cherub Rosé, which is made from Syrah and Grenache grapes. The wine has a strong, fruity nose that smells like fresh red fruits.
How to Make a Pork Chop Cocktail | The Pork Chop Cocktail Recipe | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
What cocktail goes well with pork?
What cocktail pairs with pulled pork?
What liquor goes with pork chops?
What drinks go with pork belly?
What cocktail goes with pork tenderloin?
Choose the right cocktail for pork tenderloin by considering the spices involved in its preparation. A mojito is a classic Cuban cocktail with lime, mint and white rum. It will pair well with Cuban-style pork tenderloin cooked with lime and cilantro.
What to drink with pork?
Enjoy sake’s subtle and welcome complexity sipped chilled or at room temperature with your pork or pair it with a sake cocktail. Asian Marys made with equal parts tomato juice and sake with a pinch of wasabi are great for spicy pork dishes.
What beer goes with pork tenderloin?
Begin with a chilled Mexican lager and add a few dashes of hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, a squirt of lime and a pinch of black pepper. Rim the glass with kosher salt if you like. Go ahead and use a darker beer if your pork tenderloin flavors are particularly bold or go full “boar” with a bloody Mary.
What to serve with pork tenderloin?
If you intend to give your tenderloin an Asian persuasion, pair your pork with sake. Seasonings such as ginger, garlic, chiles, soy sauce and hoisin sauce pair beautifully with the fragrant, full-bodied flavors many sakes possess.