Grassy and peppery with a distinct spicy finishing touch, rye whiskey generally has hint of oats, smoke and blend of fruit in the after taste. As a result, it can be enjoyed as it is straight, neat or on the rocks with club soda or ginger ale.
The pronounced taste comes through and against the backdrop of the other mixers. Classic rye cocktails include Manhattan, Sazerac, and Vieux Carré, however the foods you pair with rye whiskey change the total experience.
What to eat with rye whiskey? Rye whiskey pairs wonderfully with meatloaf and barbecue sauce, smoked salmon, bourbon, and chocolate especially with dark and milk. When serving with a light snack, consider a mixture of pretzels, sesame sticks, and rye chips.
All nuts do not taste good with rye whiskey. The general guideline is to select heavily roasted and sweet nuts such as pecans, pistachios, and walnuts.
The high alcohol content in rye whiskey marries excellently with rich and fatty dishes such as broiled salmon. Additionally, the beverage is an excellent choice for bitter pairings such as dark chocolate or strong cheeses.
There are many ways to pair rye whiskey with sweet and or snacks and entrees that complement the smoothness of the drink. But what do you serve with a glass of rye whiskey? Let’s find out!
What foods go well with rye whiskey?
Instead of a glass of wine to enjoy the meal, rye whiskey is also flavorful and rich alcohol that complements with various dishes.
From light snack ideas to dinner meals, the following foods go well with rye whiskey:
- Meat: smoked salmon, meatloaf, grilled steaks
- Cheese: burrata, mozzarella, brie, goat, blue, aged cheddar
- Chocolates: dark, milk
- Fruits: apple, pear
- Nuts: peanuts, cashews, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts
- Beverage: ginger ale, coke, ginger beer, orange juice, lemonade, sprite
- Desserts: apple-based desserts, baked apples, apple pie, cheesecake
- Condiments: caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, toffee, butterscotch
- Spices: black pepper, cinnamon, ginger
Rye whiskey is perfect for cheese, smoked and roasted meats, and also desserts.
The lighter the styles fare, the better the smoked salmon and sushi. On the other hand, the medium whiskies work well with smoked fish such as mackerel.
What snack goes with rye whiskey?
Rye whiskey is considered the water of life, but what is life without a few good snacks to pair it with. Pairing snacks with rye whiskey may be a very controversial move because whiskey does not go well with just anything.
It is essential to be strategic with the snack pairings. Therefore, experimenting with rye whiskey and snacks is something to give a try.
Some snacks to pair with rye whiskey include:
- pretzels
- sesame sticks
- rye chips
- crackers
- cheese
- dry fruits
- nuts
- chocolate
What flavor goes well with rye whiskey?
Add sugar, orange bitters, honey, lemon twist, cinnamon, butter, or flour to make rye whiskey more flavorful when making mixed drinks. When serving plain rye whiskey, a side of sweet and salty snacks or dried fruits are ideal.
These are classic complements to accompany with rye whiskey:
- rye whiskey + smoked salmon + Roquefort cheese
- rye whiskey + meatloaf + barbecue sauce
- rye whiskey + pretzels + sesame sticks + rye crackers + peanuts
- rye whiskey + apples + brie
- rye whiskey + milk chocolate + salted hazelnuts
Eat with Rye Whiskey: Conclusion
The flavor of rye whiskey varies according to the brand. Food is paired with whiskey so that neither the whiskey nor food overwhelms the flavor of the other, the main goal being to complement each other.
Creativity can aid in coming up with a unique and delicious combination that will never disappoint the meal. As a result, rye whisky can be paired with meat, cheese, light snacks or dessert.
For full dinner idea, pair with smoked or broiled salmon, or meatloaf with barbecue sauce.
When it comes to dessert time, apple infused sweets such as apple pie or milk and dark chocolate cheesecake drizzled with caramel sauce and hint of vanilla is a heavenly way to enjoy the rye whiskey.
Pour glass of rye whiskey and serve with snacks and nut platters with pretzels, sesame sticks, rye chips and peanuts to get the party started.
Use these thoughtful pairings when looking for what to serve with our exquisite rye whiskey.