Red wine with steak. White wine with fish. Margaritas with tacos. Beer with chicken wings. We could go on and on about all the classic food and beverage pairings that exist.
These tried-and-true pairings work in perfect harmony together and rarely disappoint. Yet chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists, and home cooks around the world are always experimenting with and discovering new and exciting pairings to delight our palates in brand new ways.
Whether you love beer, champagne, tequila, wine, or whiskey, we’ve compiled a list of some unique pairings you’ve probably never tried before. Check out these five unconventional food pairings that work surprisingly well.
Champagne and Fried Chicken
Bubbly and a bucket of chicken may not seem like a natural pairing, but they work quite well together. Teaming champagne with fried chicken is both complementary and contradictory, in part because the two components are rarely enjoyed at the same moment.
The acidity, sweetness, and bubbly texture of champagne contrast beautifully against the crunchy texture, spiced flavors, and greasy nature of fried chicken. But depending on where you live, this is a pairing you may have to try at home.
Fried chicken is stereotyped as such a casual meal that it can be difficult to find an establishment that has both of these unconventional companions on their menu.
Blanco Tequila and Sushi
Tequila and Mexican cuisine are a natural pairing, but blanco tequila is also an incredible complement to sushi. We love this pairing for its freshness and unconventional appeal, and the marrying of two distinct cultures just makes it that much better.
Blanco tequila is delicate and crisp, often with notes of citrus, herbs, and florals. It’s a perfect match to light, fresh sushi and sashimi dishes, especially those made with fatty fish like tuna and salmon. The next time you order a spicy tuna roll at your favorite Japanese restaurant, order a glass of blanco to sip in between bites.
If you prefer darker, aged tequilas, this article from Cierto showcases dozens of unconventional dishes to pair with reposado, añejo, and extra añejo tequila.
India Pale Ale and Curry
Don’t let the name fool you — India Pale Ales are not made in India, but they do go exceptionally well with Indian curry dishes.
If you’re not a beer drinker, you might not realize how different IPAs are from the light, domestic pilsners and lagers that are so prevalent and popular in the beer industry. IPAs have a strong, hoppy flavor, and they taste nothing like “regular” beer.
All that herbal hoppiness perfectly complements the richness of traditional Indian curries, particularly lamb and chicken curries like Tikka Masala.
If you’re not a huge fan of IPAs, check out this article to discover more incredible beer and curry pairings.
Rosé and Mexican Cuisine
Mexican cuisine and tequila go hand in hand, but the next time you dine on spicy enchiladas or tacos, try sipping some rosé instead.
The crisp and sweet nature of rosé balances the heat of Mexican dishes like Al Pastor and spicy fish tacos. The acid and fruity notes of rosé also make it a great complement to fruitier dishes, like pineapple pico de gallo.
If you’re a rosé all day type, there are all sorts of dishes you can pair your beloved wine with, including Mediterranean flavors, barbecue pork and meat, and tomato-based dishes.
Whiskey and Cheese
Forget wine and cheese — it’s time to sip some whiskey with your Brie! From charcuterie boards to cheesecake, it’s easy to pair whiskey with any and every course.
Whether you prefer Irish whiskey, bourbon, rye, or Scotch, every type of whiskey has a great cheese pairing. Bourbon, which has sweet, caramel notes, is a perfect complement to sharp cheddars and creamy cheeses like Gouda. Rye whiskey, with notes of cinnamon and spice, pairs great with Roquefort, Stilton, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
With so many types of whiskeys and cheeses to choose from, we recommend sampling different combinations to find your ideal pairing.
In Conclusion
From cookies and milk to coffee and donuts, some food and beverage pairings will always be classics. But there’s something quite exciting about discovering new flavors you never even thought to combine.
The next time you go out for dinner or host a party for friends, consider ordering a pairing you’ve never had or serving some of the food and beverage options from this list. Whether you love to cook or love to eat, don’t be afraid to experiment! The best food and beverage pairing in the world just might be the one that you discover all on your own.
