We’ve all heard that you should generally drink white wine with seafood, but choosing the perfect beverage to pair with your meal is a little bit more nuanced than that. Whether you’re enjoying a grilled salmon steak or fresh Tilapia ceviche, delight your palette with a drink that will complement your meal and give you an unparalleled dining experience.
Cedar Plank Salmon and India Pale Ale
A unique combination of earth and ocean come together in this Cedar Plank Salmon recipe. An India pale ale (also known as an IPA) makes a perfect pairing with cedar plank salmon because it contains hints of pine and strong hop qualities that work well with the dish’s smoky flavor.
Seafood Paella and Rioja Red Wine
Seafood paella is a traditional Spanish dish with rice, seafood, tomatoes and spices that will satisfy anyone who likes a recipe with bold flavors. Paella pairs best with a drink that complements its bright Spanish spices, and red wine from the Rioja region of Spain fits the bill perfectly. The sweet, peppery flavor of a Rioja wine won’t compete with the big flavors of the paella, allowing every note to sing.
Tilapia Ceviche and Mojitos
This pairing will leave you cool and refreshed after a hot summer’s day. Tilapia ceviche is a zesty, fresh dish with fish that has been “cooked” in citrus juices, then mixed with onion, tomato and cilantro. Since Tilapia ceviche is an acidic dish, you’ll want to pair it with with a sweet drink. Master Mixologist Junior Merino recommends pairing ceviche with a well-balanced mojito that features aged rum and guarapo. The mojito’s sweet flavors will cut through the acidity of the ceviche.
Raw Oysters and Gin
Raw oysters on the half shell are not only a treat to look at, but their refreshing, salty taste simply can’t be beat. To fully complete your oyster meal, try pairing your dish with a bit of gin. Gin contains herbal and floral notes that beautifully highlight the fresh, sweet taste of the oysters. The experts at the Rogue Distillery recommend getting the full gin and oyster experience by having a small sip of gin, slurping an oyster and following it up with another sip of gin in order to let the flavors mingle.
Grilled Pacific Halibut and Chardonnay
This Grilled Pacific Halibut with Rhubarb Compote and Balsamic Strawberries is the epitome of a summer seafood dish. You’ll want to match this meal with a sweet white wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc. An especially crisp and refreshing white wine, Sauvignon Blanc enhances this halibut dish with light, citrus flavors and a bit of minerality that offsets the richness of the strawberries and rhubarb.
Don’t just opt for white—find the perfect pairing that highlights the delicate flavors of your meal. Now that you know which drinks to pair with your favorite seafood dishes, impress your friends at your next barbecue or dinner party!
Photos: jeshoots, Kaboompics, Unsplash, Regal Springs Lake-Grown Tilapia