Mocktail pairings to try with your favourite meals
If you’re planning a sober dinner party, you don’t need to stick to soda or water. With any dish you make, you can craft the perfect mocktail to complement the flavors. Explore the different pairings to understand what to sip with your food.
1. AF red wine with steak and mashed potato
Wine and steak are a famous pair for a good reason — sweet drinks can help balance one’s palate when eating salty and fatty food. Allow your non-alcoholic red wine to bring out the best flavours in your steak and vice versa.
There are store-bought options, but you can mix cranberry juice and soda water to create your own wine mocktail. Add some lime and ginger syrup for extra sweetness with a touch of sour. Serve with steak, mashed potatoes and another side of your choice.
2. Ginger lemon fizz with chicken sandwich
Chicken sandwiches are a great filling meal. When you top the white meat with a light mayo sauce, it hits the spot. Pair this dish with a lovely ginger lemon fizz to sip after each bite of your slider.
To make this drink, get some lemon juice and ginger juice. Combine them before adding a pinch of salt, sugar and mint leaves. Shake and pour the mixture into an ice-cold glass of Sprite. Add a slice of lemon on top for presentation purposes.
3. Sparkling grapefruit with seafood salad
Seafood salads are protein-filled meals many seafoodies love. Picture crab meat and shrimp tossed with diced red onions and celery in a delicious sauce. A sparkling grapefruit mocktail can brighten the flavours of your favourite crustaceans.
Start with a pink grapefruit. Squeeze out the juice and mix in some lime juice for a little twang. Shake before adding the mix to ice and sparkling water. Top with a slice of grapefruit. Some also add rosemary for aromatics.
4. Party punch with pepperoni pizza
Pepperoni pizza is a classic for parties. While you could order in from your favourite chain, baking a pizza at home allows you to add as many toppings as you want. For refreshments, you just have to make a party punch.
Get cranberry raspberry juice, pineapple juice and limeade. Mix everything and throw in ice cubes to make it all cold. Add some fresh berries and pineapple slices for flavour.
5. Lemon-lime fizz with smoked salmon and caviar
This pairing is perfect for a high-class event. Smoked salmon and caviar can be served on crackers or mixed into your favorite pasta. Citrus flavors can enhance the taste of caviar, so a lemon-lime mocktail is the perfect drink.
To make your mocktail, start with sparkling water and add lemon juice, lime juice, honey and mint. Garnish with a lemon or lime slice and enjoy.
6. Non-alcoholic raspberry aperitif with beef kebabs
Marinated beef kebabs are an underrated food option. They’re colourful and juicy, especially when you use the right marinade and offer sauces. Get a raspberry aperitif mocktail to serve as an appetiser for these delectable skewers.
Get some raspberry jam, lemon juice, lime juice and zero-proof aperitif. Mix these ingredients well. Since the jam is a little thick, it can help to use a shaker to incorporate everything. Once complete, strain to remove any seeds and put into a glass of ice.
7. Watermelon mojitos and spicy courgette noodles
Courgette noodles are a genius meal that turns your vegetables into pasta, and a spicy Szechuan sauce and sesame seeds make them mouthwatering. Reward yourself for stomaching the spice with a refreshing watermelon mojito.
All you need to do is mix some watermelon juice with lime and sparkling water. Add watermelon chunks for some extra sweetness. You get double the vitamin B6, too, which can boost dopamine production and lift your mood.
8. Virgin bloody mary with french onion grilled cheese
French onion grilled cheese is the perfect comfort meal, especially when you toast it perfectly on the pan. Some people add bacon or eggs to make it even more delicious. If you have no tomato soup to dip the sandwich into, make a Virgin Bloody Mary.
A Virgin Bloody Mary starts with some tomato juice. Add dill pickle juice to dilute its texture and elevate the acidity. After mixing this, add a dash of hot sauce and Worcestershire. Some even put in extra cayenne pepper if they’re feeling brave.
9. Kombucha mimosa with spring rolls
Spring rolls are a fantastic meal option. The combination of cooked chicken, shrimp and veggies all wrapped into rice paper makes it easy to eat. Plus, the peanut sauce helps neutralise the herb-like flavour. If you want to bring it back, make a tall glass of kombucha mimosa.
Get some oranges to squeeze out the juice. Once you have a cup, shake it with some kombucha to incorporate the two. Pour and enjoy your mocktail. Luckily, unlike regular cocktails, kombucha improves your liver health with its antioxidants.
10. Peanut butter martini mocktails with tacos
A nice soft taco with your favourite vegetables and ground beef can taste like heaven. Assembling these can take some time, so you may forget to create a drink to go with this. Treat your peanut butter martini mocktails as a dessert.
To make them, whisk peanut butter with some heavy cream. Mix in cold brew coffee and chocolate milk. Pour the concoction into a martini glass. If you want to take it up a notch, line the rim with peanut butter and peanuts first.
Enjoy your mocktails and meals
You can have a more satisfying lunch and dinner when you become more detail-oriented with pairing mocktails and meals. Run a few trials, note how the flavours react to one another and determine what you enjoy.
Written by Cora Gold
Cora is a wellness writer and editor of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. Along with tips for health and happiness, Cora loves writing about party planning. Follow Cora on Pinterest, LinkedIn and Twitter.
