Pairing Delicious Drinks with Mouthwatering Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures. The succulent smoky flavor of slow-cooked pork shoulder gently pulled into tender strands is the perfect hearty indulgence. But what should you drink with this BBQ staple to perfectly complement that iconic pulled pork taste?

The right beverage pairing can take your pulled pork experience from great to truly unforgettable. In this guide, we’ll recommend 10 delicious drinks that go fantastically with pulled pork so your next barbecue feast is an unbridled delight. Let’s get sipping and feasting!

Iced Tea

A chilled glass of iced tea is a quintessential pairing for Southern-style pulled pork. The blend of cool, refreshing tea and savory pork is ideal for summer barbecues. The light tannic taste also cleanses the palate after rich fatty bites of pork. For an authentic sweet tea like they serve below the Mason-Dixon mix brewed black tea with plenty of sugar while hot, then cool and pour over ice. Pitchers of iced tea are perfect for crowd-pleasing pulled pork meals.

Lemonade

For those who prefer something sans caffeine and completely non-alcoholic, traditional or strawberry lemonade makes for a tangy, citrusy accompaniment to pulled pork The slight acidity balances the fattiness of the meat while the sweetness provides contrast to pork’s richness Make your lemonade from scratch using lemon juice, water and sugar for the ideal homemade balance of sweet and tart. Serve in tall glasses with plenty of ice.

Arnold Palmer

If you just can’t decide between refreshing lemonade or classic iced tea, why not combine them into an Arnold Palmer? This 50/50 blend of tea and lemonade provides the best of both worlds. The combo of citrus zing and moderate sweetness creates an easy drinking beverage that allows the amazing flavors of your pulled pork to shine. Pre-mix the tea and lemonade or let guests customize their ratio.

Beer

You can’t go wrong cracking open a cold can or bottle of beer with pulled pork. Opt for lighter-colored lagers, pilsners and pale ales so as not to overpower the smoky meat. Session IPAs also pair nicely. Bonus points if you use a local craft beer to support neighborhood breweries. Pour into a frosty mug or steer clear of glassware all together for a low-fuss barbecue vibe. But don’t sleep on artfully poured beer in the right pint glass!

Root Beer

For a fun, non-alcoholic option, fill frosted mugs with ice-cold root beer and top with whipped cream. This sweet old-fashioned soda pairs surprisingly well with rich pulled pork thanks to shared flavor notes like molasses, vanilla and sassafras. The carbonation also cleanses the palate. Keep plenty of root beer on hand for younger guests or as an afternoon drink before breaking out the adult beverages.

Fruit Juice Spritzers

Make a light and lively pulled pork accompaniment by mixing fruit juice with seltzer water. The resulting fruity fizzy spritzers offer fresh flavor that contrasts beautifully with smoky, savory barbecue. Try using orange, grapefruit, cranberry or pineapple juices. Customize your carb-to-juice ratio and garnish with citrus slices. Provide a variety of juice options and let guests build their own bubbly creations.

Pina Coladas

Transport yourself to the tropics by blending up pina coladas to sip with your pulled pork. The sweet pineapple and coconut flavors pair wonderfully with the rich meat. A splash of rum makes this an alcoholic option for those looking to imbibe. But you can also whip up virgin coladas with just pineapple juice and coconut milk. Top with pineapple wedges or maraschino cherries because garnishes make everything fancy!

Margaritas

A pitcher of classic margaritas with salt-rimmed glasses provides a south-of-the-border vibe perfect for tacos and other Mexican-inspired pulled pork dishes. The lip-puckering lime cuts through the meat’s richness. Keep a bottle of high-quality triple sec and tequila on hand for easy margarita mixing. Offer a make-your-own margarita bar with an array of fruit purees, juices and garnishes so guests can get creative with flavors. ¡Salud!

Sangria

For easy sipping, you can’t top a bowl of chilled red or white sangria alongside mountains of pulled pork. Let the wine, juice and fruit flavors intermingle for maximum tastiness. Set out your sangria bar with a selection of wines, chopped fruit, flavored liqueurs and sparkling water. Provide ladles and festive glasses so guests can craft their perfect pitcher or glass. A splash of soda can make sangria less boozy for daytime affairs.

Bourbon

Rich, dark liquors like bourbon and whiskey go well with the smokiness of BBQ dishes like brisket and pulled pork. If you don’t want to drink it straight, we recommend mixing up a bourbon lemonade – the slightly tart taste of lemons cuts the smokiness of both the bourbon and BBQ.

Milkshakes

Satisfy your inner child and cut through all that pork richness with a hand-spun milkshake. Cookies and cream, vanilla, chocolate and salted caramel all pair deliciously. Make them boozy by spiking with bourbon or vodka. Top with piles of whipped cream and syrup for some over-the-top decadence. Offer milkshake-making as an interactive experience to delight family and friends.

Pulling pork and pouring drinks makes for an amazing party spread. With this guide to fantastic beverage pairings, you can take your next pulled pork bonanza to new levels of tasty. Just be sure to save room for plenty of this soulful smoked meat after all that delicious sipping and slurping. Cheers to the ultimate pork and drink pairing experience!