The 13 Best Cocktails To Pair With Fast Food
What is it about opposites that attract? Sometimes it really takes the complete opposite to bring the best and brightest out of us. Whether in love, in fashion, or on the plate, mixing two unexpected elements often works well. There are observations in food science to support this: For example, salt can make sweet foods sweeter, and there are even some fruits that do well being salted. Likewise, cream and spice tend to work in perfect unity, where the fatty cream neutralizes the harder edges of the spice, while the spice works to bring a satisfying tang to the rich sauce.
But, it's not just opposite flavors that work together; there's something tantalizing about mixing low- and high-brow foods, like lobster mac and cheese, or wine and popcorn. In fact, we can draw from many pop culture inspirations on how to combine "low-brow" fast food with "high-brow" cocktails. For instance, when Carrie Bradshaw tried to order a Cosmopolitan with her burger in one episode of Sex and the City, or when the rap trio Migos paired Moët with KFC to keep it "Bad and Boujee" in an iconic music video. There's a culture of pairing the finest with the cheapest, so if you're looking for ideas on matching cocktails with fast food, these are the pairings you should try.
Pair a Manhattan with McDonald's Big Mac
While Carrie Bradshaw may have preferred a Cosmo with her burger, we have another pairing in mind. Why not pair the absolute legendary Big Mac with the stately Manhattan? The Manhattan is a classic cocktail that mixes liquor with bitters and relies on garnishes for sweet relief. The strong flavors balance perfectly alongside beef, with steak commonly viewed as its perfect pairing.
Granted, Big Macs are a far cry from an elegant cut of steak, but the same principles apply. The Manhattan cuts through the sauciness and beefiness of the Big Mac, contrasting them with its complex and bitter flavor profile. For a grown-up but just as happy meal, the Manhattan and Big Mac are perfect for those looking to chow down in a bigger, better way. Not to mention, the Manhattan's iconic cocktail cherry garnish acts as the perfect palate cleanser.
Pair a daiquiri with Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza
There was a lot of fanfare when the ever-loved Taco Bell Mexican Pizza came back on the menu. It's not hard to understand why this pizza is so beloved, after all, what other recipe contains the absolutely mouthwatering mix of refried beans, pizza sauce, and salsa, all encased between two light tortillas? There just simply is no other.
We'll admit, Taco Bell is frequently the fast food joint to turn to after you've already built a nice buzz. But adding a cocktail to a Mexican Pizza is simply a must, and a daiquiri is a perfect way to add more fun to the already festive pizza. Daiquiris combine lime juice with rum and sweet simple syrup — the result is a refreshing mix that balances nicely with pizza. The lime juice plays off the acidity in the salsa and lightens up the heavier mass of refried beans. The simple syrup and rum add an unexpected depth to the dish, bringing a sweetness that may not otherwise be noticeable. It truly makes the best, most grown-up Taco Bell experience that will leave you wanting more.
Pair a Bloody Mary with Domino's garlic Parmesan white pizza
The Bloody Mary cocktail may be a classic brunch staple, with its weighty mix of vodka, tomato juice, celery, salt, and a twist of lime. It's enough to wake you up or put you down, depending on the mood. But beyond platters of waffles and eggs Benedict there are quite a few other foods that the breakfast cocktail does right by.
For some, pairing a Bloody Mary with Domino's garlic Parmesan white sauce pizza may feel like serving up a deconstructed margherita pizza, and to that we'd say — yes, exactly! While the buttery creaminess of the white sauce pizza is extremely rich, the acidity and bite of the Bloody Mary cuts through it, which brings the meal into balance. The opposite flavor combos complement each other, and the cocktail keeps the pizza from being too rich, while the pizza's white sauce takes the edge off the cocktail. Furthermore, the tangy nuttiness of the garlic and Parmesan in the pizza punctuate the creaminess of the pizza and the slight acidity of the drink. Add some chicken and bacon (to the cocktail or pizza) and you'll have a wonderfully decadent meal fit to keep you sipping and satisfied.
Pair a gimlet with pad Thai
While a dry Riesling or a dark lager may be considered classic companions for pad Thai, we maintain you can take things up a notch with a gimlet. This cocktail may be off the beaten path from your go-to drink, but it's a cocktail worth getting to know. It's very simple, containing nothing more than gin and some lime juice, which are sometimes highlighted with the addition of a garnish.
When it comes to pairing with pad Thai, the gin provides a light and cutting flavor to break down the heavy noodle dish, and of course, with lime already being a proper garnish to the dish, the citrus elements of the drink parallel it perfectly. Because of the drink's simplicity and possibly the strong flavor of the lime juice, gimlets can be dressed up with mint, yuzu, or even Thai basil to work in further harmony with your order of pad Thai.
Pair a Negroni with Papa John's Tuscan six cheese pizza
The Negroni is one of the most popular cocktails around, so if you haven't tried one yet, there's no time like pizza night. Working in its favor is that a Negroni doesn't need much know-how to be done well. All you need to do is combine Campari with gin and sweet vermouth. While there are only three ingredients in this recipe, it makes for a magnificently nuanced drink that is sweet and bitter with a slight citrus layer.
The Italian food source Veroni notes the Negroni is actually an aperitivo — a drink intended to precede a meal with charcuterie and cheeses, rather than a full meal. But that actually makes it perfect for pairing with Papa John's Tuscan six-cheese pizza, instead. The recipe uses aged cheeses including Parmesan, Romano, and asiago which work well with the Negroni's mature and bitter flavors. The creaminess of the pizza's cheese and the sweetness of its tomato sauce help soften the more bitter edges of the cocktail.
Try a martini with an anchovy pizza
Some may equate enjoying a martini with cocktail hours at sophisticated bars. With a mix of gin and vermouth, the martini is an extremely bitter cocktail that tastes as elegant as it looks. While it may not be your go-to drink for a casual night at home, when paired with the right complement, martinis can level up a standard night in, no matter how low-key.
Salty flavors are the preferred partner to this drink; after all, there's a reason why they typically come with an olive garnish. And as pointed out by an article on the San Francisco Chronicle, some martini variations even call for a salty anchovy as a garnish. So why not "garnish" your martini with a slice of anchovy pizza, instead?
The saltiness of the fish and cheese-topped pizza emphasizes the floral and herbal elements of the martini, while the fattiness of the pizza acts as a perfect balance to the sharpness of the classic cocktail. And don't be shy about adding olived — to the drink or the pizza — as the proverbial "cherry on top" to this unconventional pairing.
Try a gold rush with a bucket of KFC
The Gold Rush cocktail calls for bourbon, a bit of honey, and fresh lemon juice. This results in a brew that is delicately sweet with a nice sour tang from the lemon, and a deep richness from the honey.
When deciding which meal to match your gold rush with, there's one clear choice: fried chicken. The savoriness of fried chicken evens out the bourbon's natural sweetness. Plus, the lemon juice of the cocktail adds a refreshing element to the heavier meal.
The goal when preparing a gold rush with a side of fried chicken is to make sure the cocktail isn't so sweet that it overpowers the chicken. Thankfully, with KFC's famous spice blend, it's pretty hard to outshine the recipe. We recommend going big and pairing the cocktail with a bucket of fried chicken and some sides to truly feel like you've struck gold.
Match a mai tai with Popeyes' Cajun Flounder Fish
There's nothing that spells out relaxation like the mai tai, which combines dark and white rum with sweet juices and syrups. The cocktail expertly balances refreshing and bold flavors to create a fun drink. That said, it can be hard to pair well.
When it comes to figuring out what to eat with your mai tai, it's best to keep the menu as fresh as possible. The mai tai is a tiki drink that's intended to impart a tropical flavor profile. In this sense, it tends to match well with seafood.
The citrus of the mai tai complements the lighter flavors of the fish, while the toastiness of the rum adds depth to the fish's flavoring. Of course, it can get a bit dicey ordering fast food fish dishes. Nonetheless, Popeyes' flounder fish sandwich has the goods to make your mai tai night great. Flounder is a milder white fish that typically tastes sweet, but Popeyes' Cajun spices, tartar sauce, and pickles offset the fish's sweetness and add a rich complement to the mai tai. If you're looking for a refreshing combination, look no further: The mai tai and Cajun flounder sandwich take you on a delicious vacation, wherever you are.
Drink a bramble cocktail with Wendy's Baconator
In the vast cosmos of blackberry-infused brews, we find the bramble cocktail particularly compelling. This elegant cocktail feels like a timeless classic with its combination of gin, lemon juice, creme de mûre, and a brambly garnish of a blackberry. And while it may seem counterintuitive, the drink's balancing act of tangy yet sweet sophistication makes it a great companion to the Wendy's Baconator.
The burger is a beastly behemoth boasting a half pound of beef, six strips of bacon, and of course, a healthy amount of cheese. The first thought when staring down a gargantuan burger like this is to bring a beer or maybe a glass of red wine to the table. But, the bramble cocktail holds its own with the burger. The cocktail's gin is dry and sharp enough to cut through the heavier aspects of the burger, while its blackberry and lemon notes refreshingly contrast the cheese and bacon. All in all, the bramble cocktail and Baconator prove opposites really do attract.
Down a Cuba libre with McDonald's McRib
There's no denying that the McDonald's McRib has captured the hearts of many. Featuring a boneless piece of pork slathered with barbecue sauce and topped with onions and pickles, the limited-release sandwich has a cult-like following.
Admittedly, the McRib has a pretty complex mix of flavors. Its barbecue sauce is sweet yet savory and its pork has a slight smokiness that isn't often found at the drive-thru. Given the rich mix of flavors, we targeted the Cuba libre as the right choice to make when looking for its cocktail pairing.
The vanilla and citrus of the drink play off the sweet smokiness of the barbecue sauce, while the light, honey notes of rum add nuance to the meal. For a finishing touch, the lime provides a refreshing and much-needed twist to the meat-heavy sandwich. When it comes to cocktails and sandwiches, Cuba libres and McRibs are simply a match made in heaven. Plus, for those looking to keep things convenient, the cocktail isn't hard to make: Simply mix rum with coke — Mexican Coca-cola, if you can — and a twist of lime.
Match a Moscow Mule with Korean fried chicken
For those who don't know, there's a different kind of K.F.C. — Korean fried chicken! This delicious take-out favorite features smaller, tender cuts of chicken typically seasoned with garlic and ginger. While fried chicken of any type may seem like a meal to eat with a cold beer, we maintain that the Moscow Mule is the more refreshing, albeit unexpected, option.
Despite the name, the Moscow Mule actually originated in Los Angeles according to Glass and Vine. As the legend goes, the cocktail was concocted as a way to offload products that weren't selling well — vodka and ginger beer. Bartenders started mixing the two with lime juice in hopes of selling the unpopular products. The rest is history, as the drink has stood the test of time, and has become a global sensation.
And when served alongside Korean fried chicken, Moscow Mules are hard to beat. The lime juice of the cocktail lightens up the heavier tones of the fried chicken, while the ginger beer plays off the ginger in the chicken's seasoning, adding a slight spiciness to the meal.
Enjoy an espresso martini with fries
There's a mad kind of genius to dipping Wendy's fries in its Frosties. It's a classic mix of sweet and salty that easily extends to fast food and cocktail pairings. In fact, there's no better french fry pairing than the chocolatey espresso martini. The crème de cacao and coffee syrup contrast the salty starchiness of french fries, creating a harmonious flavor profile. The pairing matches the intent of the Frosty-and-fries combination but raises the bar with a bit of boozy buzz and caffeinated kick.
If you're looking to further complete your grown-up Wendy's experience, add a Wendy's chicken Caesar salad to the order. The meaty and vegetal flavors of the salad add a pleasant change to the sweetness of the cocktail and the starchiness of the fries. Not to mention, the satisfying pop of color from the salad adds a contrast to the browns and yellows that otherwise visually dominate your plate.
Pair a Peacock Alley Champagne cocktail with a McDonald's pie
McDonald's pie flavors come and go with the seasons, but here's the good news: This cocktail and fast food pairing works well regardless of which pie is currently available. So when you're in the mood for a low-key (but high-brow) dessert pairing at home, go ahead and order a few McDonald's pies along with the ingredients for the Peacock Alley cocktail. All you'll need to whip up the drink is dry Champagne, Galliano liqueur, strawberries, and a twist of black peppercorns. It's a cocktail that balances the luxurious bubbliness of Champagne with the woody smokiness of black peppercorn, and the refreshing boldness of strawberries. While the cocktail itself is quite elegant, it matches surprisingly well with the humble McDonald's pie. The flaky sweetness of the pie crust, along with its typical custard and fruit fillings, plays richly off of the drier aspects of the Champagne.