13 Irresistible Food and Drink Pairings

Wine had its time. These days, cocktails and mocktails are stealing the spotlight by shaking, stirring, and zesting their way into the center of the table with bold flavors and big personalities.

From fizzy spritzes that brighten up rich pastas to smoky sips that cozy up to grilled mains, the right drink can turn a good meal into a great one. Whether you’re playing bartender at home or hosting a dinner party to remember, these 13 modern pairings can help you serve up flavor fireworks—no sommelier required.

13 Modern Cocktail & Mocktail Pairings for Food Lovers

A great pairing doesn’t just complement. It elevates, turning every bite and sip into a little celebration. No matter if you’re mixing up something spirited or sticking to zero-proof pours, the goal is the same: balance, boldness, and a whole lot of flavor.

Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind as you mix and match:

Start with flavor, not just the spirit. Think beyond the liquor shelf and into flavor profiles. Does your dish need something citrusy and sharp to balance it? Bitter and botanical? Smooth and creamy? Let taste lead the way.
Don’t let everything compete. If the dish is bold, keep the drink simple. If the food is mellow, let the drink shine.
Mocktails deserve the spotlight too. Zero-proof doesn’t mean zero fun—look for bright acids, fresh herbs, and big personality. Thoughtfully crafted mocktails can be just as complex, beautiful, and delicious as their alcoholic counterparts (and sometimes even more so!).

1. Spicy Shrimp Tacos + A Sweet, Smoky Sip

Cocktail: Mango Mezcal Margarita
Mocktail: Pineapple-Jalapeño Agua Fresca

Succulent shrimp, dusted with chili powder and cumin, tucked into warm tortillas and topped with fresh cilantro…it’s bold, it’s zesty, and it’s begging for a drink with equal flair. You need something that can cool the heat, match the energy, and not get lost in the spice. Enter the mango mezcal margarita: sweet, smoky, and bright with lime, it hits all the right notes.

The alcohol-free version delivers the same magic. Pineapple’s natural sweetness tames the jalapeño’s fire while keeping things refreshingly bright. It’s the kind of pairing that makes ordinary Tuesday nights feel like beachy vacation in the sun.

2. Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt + A Cool, Herbaceous Pour

Cocktail: Mint Julep
Mocktail: Iced Green Tea with Mint & Lemon

Grilled lamb chops that are crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and topped with cool mint yogurt pair naturally with a mint julep. With bold, meaty richness and a cooling herbal finish, this dish calls for a drink that can mirror its freshness while cutting through the fat. This cocktail is cool, herbaceous, and just boozy enough to stand up to the lamb’s richness, while the crushed mint brings a fresh-from-the-garden vibe that plays beautifully against the char.

Prefer something lighter? The mocktail version leans elegant and refreshing. Think earthy green tea brightened with mint and lemon, like a spring breeze in a glass.

3. Butternut Squash Risotto + Warm, Nutty Notes in a Glass

Cocktail: Brown Butter Old Fashioned
Mocktail: Apple Cider with Rosemary

A creamy, golden risotto calls for a drink with cozy depth. Its velvety texture and gentle sweetness need a cocktail that can echo those warm, autumnal notes without overwhelming the dish. The brown butter old fashioned hits just right: nutty, smooth, and full of caramel warmth that echoes the dish’s richness. Bourbon’s vanilla and oak notes bring out the natural sweetness of the squash.

For a non-alcoholic pairing, spiced apple cider infused with rosemary creates an aromatic blend that’s both grounding and bright, making it a perfect companion to each spoonful.

4. Crispy Pork Belly with Asian Slaw + A Zippy Ginger Kick

Cocktail: Dark & Stormy
Mocktail: Ginger Beer + Lime + Bitters

Crispy pork belly is pure indulgence. Crackling skin giving way to impossibly tender meat, balanced by bright, crunchy slaw. With all that richness, you need something sharp and lively to cut through the fat and reset the palate. A classic Dark & Stormy slices through the richness with its zippy ginger and deep rum notes, refreshing your palate in every sip.

No rum? No problem. The mocktail version packs the same punch, thanks to spicy ginger beer, a squeeze of lime, and a dash of bitters for depth without the booze.

5. Lobster Roll + A Crisp, Coastal Cooler

Cocktail: Classic Gin & Tonic with Cucumber
Mocktail: Cucumber-Tarragon Spritzer

Sweet, buttery lobster in a toasted bun needs a drink that complements without competing. It’s delicate, rich, and ocean-kissed—so the drink should be crisp, clean, and quietly refreshing. A cucumber gin and tonic delivers crisp, botanical freshness that lets the lobster shine.

For an alcohol-free option, the cucumber-tarragon spritzer is just as dreamy. It’s herbaceous, bubbly, and refreshingly subtle, letting the lobster remain the star.

6. Falafel with Tahini Sauce + A Bright, Basil-Backed Breeze

Cocktail: Lemon-Basil Vodka Collins
Mocktail: Lemon-Basil Sparkling Lemonade

Golden falafel, warm with spice and nestled under a drizzle of tahini, calls for a drink that’s bright and herbaceous. The dish is hearty yet fresh, so it needs something zesty to lift the richness and echo those herbal notes. The Lemon-Basil Vodka Collins delivers with zesty citrus that cuts through the creamy sauce, along with fresh basil that echoes the dish’s Middle Eastern flavors with a sunny twist.

The mocktail brings the same sparkle, minus the vodka. Lemon and basil meet again in a fizzy lemonade that feels like a summer afternoon in a glass.

7. Korean Fried Chicken + A Floral, Fizzy Reset

Cocktail: Lychee Martini
Mocktail: Lychee Lime Fizz

Korean fried chicken brings crunch, glaze, and heat, and it deserves a drink that’s just as playful. With bold flavors and a spicy-sweet glaze, the dish needs a sip that cools things down without muting the fun. Enter the lychee martini: light, floral, and a little fancy, with a clean finish that tempers the spice without dulling the flavor.

The mocktail hits similar notes. Lychee’s delicate sweetness and lime’s sharp edge get a lift from bubbles that dance between bites of that addictive, golden crust.

8. Vegan Pad Thai + A Tangy, Whiskey-Tinged Twist

Cocktail: Tamarind Whiskey Sour
Mocktail: Tamarind + Lime + Bitters on Ice

Sweet, salty, tangy, and rich, pad Thai is a flavor bomb. To match its complexity, you’ll want a drink that’s just as layered—something that balances brightness with depth. The tamarind whiskey sour plays right along: warm whiskey depth, bright lime, and tamarind’s signature tang all enhance the dish’s balance.

Tamarind and lime still shine in the mocktail, with bitters adding dimension and a sophisticated bite. It’s punchy, complex, and exactly what this dish craves.

9. Steak with Chimichurri + A Bold, Botanical Bitter

Cocktail: Rosemary Negroni
Mocktail: Rosemary-Citrus Shrub + Soda

A grilled steak with chimichurri is bold, juicy, and green in all the best ways. It calls for a drink with enough backbone to stand up to the richness, and enough nuance to play off the herbs. A rosemary negroni meets the moment with bitter-sweet intrigue, and its herbaceous notes mirror the brightness of the chimichurri while standing strong beside the meat’s richness.

The mocktail option brings its own sophistication: a rosemary-citrus shrub that’s tangy, herbal, and effervescent when topped with soda. Each sip prepares your palate for another bite of that herb-crusted perfection.

10. Barbecue Ribs + A Smoky-Sweet Southern Sip

Cocktail: Smoked Bourbon Sour
Mocktail: Cherry-Smoke Iced Tea

Sticky, smoky, fall-off-the-bone ribs demand a drink that can hold its own. With all that sweet, savory depth, the ideal pairing needs to echo the smoke and cut through the sauce. The smoked bourbon sour is up for the challenge. The cocktail offers bourbon’s richness, a kiss of citrus, and a hint of liquid smoke that all echo the depth of barbecue sauce without overwhelming it.

The mocktail alternative is equally compelling: bold iced tea, sweet-tart cherry, and a whisper of smoke make for a zero-proof pairing that’s just as satisfying.

11. Seared Scallops with Corn Purée + A Tart, Tequila-Laced Spritz

Cocktail: Grapefruit Paloma
Mocktail: Grapefruit + Sparkling Water + Agave

Pan-seared scallops with their golden caramelized crust and sweet corn purée represent refined coastal cooking at its finest. The dish is light, sweet, and elegant—so it needs a drink that refreshes without overpowering. The grapefruit paloma’s bright acidity and subtle tequila warmth complement the scallops’ natural sweetness without overwhelming their delicate flavor.

In the mocktail, grapefruit still leads the way. The fruit is tart and refreshing, softened by a touch of agave and effervescence. It’s crisp, clean, and made for sunset dinners.

12. Charcuterie & Cheese Board + A Rich, Ruby-Hued Classic

Cocktail: Classic Manhattan
Mocktail: Tart Cherry + Clove Syrup + Orange Peel

Rich meats, funky cheeses, and crunchy little bites all packed onto one board? You need a drink with structure. With so many textures and bold flavors, the right pairing should be balanced, complex, and just a little moody. The Manhattan’s rye or bourbon base, balanced by sweet vermouth and bitters, stands up beautifully to bold flavors like blue cheese or smoked salami.

The mocktail alternative brings its own gravitas: tart cherry layered with warming clove and a twist of orange oil. It’s moody, complex, and built for grazing.

13. Flourless Chocolate Cake + A Bold, Bittersweet Buzz

Cocktail: Espresso Martini
Mocktail: Cold Brew + Vanilla + Coconut Cream

Rich, decadent flourless chocolate cake calls for a finale as dramatic as the dessert itself. It’s dense and bittersweet, so the drink needs to be bold enough to match its sip for bite. In an espresso martini, the coffee’s bitter edge balances the sweetness, while vodka and liqueur bring a velvety smoothness that echoes every fudgy bite.

The mocktail version is equally indulgent: cold brew’s bold coffee flavor enhanced by vanilla’s warmth and coconut cream’s tropical richness, a combination that makes each bite of chocolate even more luxurious.

3 Tips for Building Better Pairings

Sure, you could just pour whatever’s in your fridge—but when you take a moment to think through the pairing, that’s when the magic happens. These tips go beyond flavor basics and dive into the little details that can elevate your menu from tasty to totally unforgettable.

1. Look to Regional Clues

There’s a reason certain pairings are timeless. Tequila and Mexican food? A classic. Same for sake and sushi, or bourbon and barbecue. That’s not just tradition—it’s geography and flavor working in harmony.

Start by considering where your dish comes from, then choose a drink with roots in the same region. The shared cultural context often means complementary ingredients, cooking methods, and spice levels. It’s a low-effort way to build balance into your pairing—no overthinking required.

2. Use Herbs as a Bridge

Herbs are the quiet connectors between the kitchen and the cocktail glass. When you repeat herbal elements in both the food and the drink, you create a through-line that makes the entire pairing feel intentional.

Mint with lamb? Classic. Basil with falafel or tomato? Naturally vibrant. Rosemary with roast beef or steak? Aromatic and bold. Whether muddled into a cocktail or steeped in a simple syrup, fresh herbs add layers of aroma that link the plate to the glass in subtle but powerful ways.

3. Match the Mood, Not Just the Meal

Pairings aren’t just about flavor—they’re about feel. Is the dish cozy and comforting? Reach for something warm, spiced, or stirred. Serving something summery and bright? Lean into citrus, spritzers, or chilled mocktails with herbal fizz.

Matching tone, season, and setting helps your drink feel like an extension of the meal—not just an afterthought. Think of it as pairing the vibe as much as the flavor.

Pair Like You Mean It

The magic of a great pairing isn’t just in the mix—it’s in how a drink can lift a dish, enhance a bite, and turn a meal into something memorable. Cocktails and mocktails aren’t just beverages; they’re flavor amplifiers. When chosen thoughtfully, they add contrast, harmony, and just the right amount of surprise.

By playing with sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and aroma, you’re doing more than serving food and drinks—you’re creating moments that linger long after the plates are cleared. So fire up the stove, grab your shaker, and get curious. Your taste buds (and your guests) will thank you.

Ready to sharpen your culinary instincts? Explore our online cooking classes, or, if you’re thinking about a future in food, consider pursuing a degree or diploma in culinary arts with Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.

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How to Cook with Wine: Tips for Elevating Your Dishes

*This article was originally published May 20, 2016, and has been updated.

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