Salty, sweet, tangy, and spicy, barbecue has a range of flavor profiles that can be paired with various food and drinks. Perfect summer food for a party, and serving leftovers makes for a filling and delicious meal the next day.
When it comes to pairings, serving the right kind of drinks with barbecue can be tricky. This flavorful and complex dish can be overwhelming for many drinks, making it so that all beverages do not taste good with it.
What to drink with barbecue? Barbecue in general goes well with wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks. Barbera, Beaujolais, Champagne, Rose, Shiraz, and Zinfandel is great wine options for any barbecue whether smoked or glazed with sweet sauce.
When it comes to beer, go with amber, lager, hoppy ale or wheat beer for a light tasting beverage with rich and bold barbecue meat.
Classic non-alcoholic drinks to pair with barbecue include iced tea, cherry cola, and cream soda and lemonade can be served with or without bourbon or brandy and a few dashes of Angostura bitters.
This article answers frequently asked questions about which wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks taste the best with barbecue. Read further and let’s find out!
Non-alcoholic BBQ drinks
Many people enjoy eating BBQ sober, and sometimes the non-alcoholic drinks can bring extra fun to the pairing. And avoiding alcohol also doesn’t mean less fun.
Here are classic non-alcoholic BBQ drinks:
- cherry cola: Cherry Coke, Dr. Pepper
- cola
- cream soda
- iced tea
- lemonade
- sparkling water
- root beer
- fruit juice
What to drink with pulled pork?
Pulled pork barbecue is a fun summertime favorite. The tender shredded meat dipping in finger licking sweet sauce is a pulled pork dream.
Pairing a drink with pulled pork is match made in heaven. From non-alcoholic to beer and wine, here are classic beverages to serve with pulled pork:
- Lemonade: Dark and rich drinks such as bourbon lemonade perfectly combine with BBQ meals like pulled pork, brisket, chicken and ribs. You can drink it straight or mix it up with BBQ. Whatever way you choose, the taste of lemon goes well with BBQ flavors, giving it a delightful combination.
- Soda: Barbecue also calls for dark sodas to add a sweet flavor. For a special treat, combine cherry-flavored soda with caramel and some whiskey notes. Another summertime favorite? You can’t go wrong with Kentucky mule and barbecue. The flavors cuts the smokiness of BBQ, making it sweet.
- Red wine: Go for dark wines like Luigi Bosca. The wine offers vibrant aromas of ripe tannins and luscious berries sprinkled with sweet spice and some freshness to finish.
- Beer: Hoppy, refreshing and cold beer like a pilsner, IPA, pale ale, blonde ale, brown ale, and porters will certainly pair well together.
- Whiskey: Grab a glass of whiskey like Jack Daniel to pair it with pulled pork. The sweetness and caramel notes of this whiskey taste amazing when drunk with pulled pork.
Wine to pair with bbq ribs?
Nearly all types of wines tick the many flavor boxes needed for a perfect pairing with BBQ. The tender and juicy meat is served as dry seasoned or with sweet sauce, but regardless of glaze, wine always is great choice for BBQ ribs.
Here are best wine pairing for BBQ rib dishes:
- Barbera
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Shiraz
- Zinfandel
- Pinot Noir
- Syrah
- Rose
- Champagne
Drink with BBQ: Conclusion
Cooking and serving barbecue is a bunch of fun and excitement. Sometimes juices and sparkling wines are all you need to make a classic drink for a barbecue.
Whether barbecue is smoked or glazed with sweet sauce, pair with classic wines such as Barbera, Beaujolais, Champagne, Rose, Shiraz, and Zinfandel.
For beer options, try bold beers like amber, lager, hoppy ale, or wheat beer to give an extra kick to barbecue meat.
For all non-alcohol beverages, go with classic drinks including iced tea, cherry coke or cola, cream soda, root beer, or fruit juice.
If you are serving BBQ ribs, go with foolproof wine. These include Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Rose, and Champagne. And pulled pork barbecue is more versatile and tastes best with lemonade, soda, red wine, beer, and whiskey.
But if you need some extra fun and good moods, go for above listed beverages. These drinks provide a bitter edge and dry complexion that will accentuate the richness and intense flavors of BBQ.