Easy Cocktail Recipes That Pair Perfectly With Dinner
When you sit down for dinner, there are many different beverages you can choose to have at the table with you, from a cold glass of water to a fizzy soda to a craft beer. But if you're looking to elevate your meal, consider these cocktails that will pair perfectly with dinner.
Meyer Lemon Margaritas
You can't go wrong with a margarita. This cocktail recipe takes the citrus flavor from a lemon instead of a lime, but then keeps it simple with tequila, triple sec and salt. It can pair perfectly with any of our best-ever Mexican recipes.
Vida Verde's Gimme Mora Cocktail
Delicious berries and mint mixed with tequila and lime juice sounds like a pretty good time. The fresh ingredients in this cocktail would go great with a night of eating chips and guacamole. Make sure you learn how to make your guacamole last longer so you can enjoy this combo for several nights in a row.
For the Vida Verde's Gimme Mora Cocktail recipe, click here.
Kombucha Whiskey Ginger Smash
If kombucha is your thing, then you will love this whiskey ginger smash. Along with the ginger kombucha, this recipe adds whiskey and lemon juice to make a perfect drink to enjoy with a hearty protein like perfectly grilled steak or meatloaf.
Strawberry Daiquiri
Drinking a fruity daiquiri can help cool down your taste buds while eating dishes that use some of the world's hottest hot sauces. This daiquiri recipe combines frozen strawberries, white rum, lime juice and sugar.
Diane Crump Blackberry Mint Julep
Anyone wearing a wacky hat at the Kentucky Derby will probably also be sipping on a cool mint julep. This take on the cocktail uses Kentucky's official fruit, blackberry, to add an extra pop of color to the classic bourbon, simple syrup and mint mixture.
For the Diane Crump Blackberry Mint Julep recipe, click here.
Peach Sangria
Red sangria goes well with red meat, so this cocktail will taste amazing along with the perfect steak. This concoction uses orange juice, cinnamon and sliced peaches.
The Bee's Knees
This clean and refreshing cocktail tastes great with a platter of cheeses from around the world. It's simple to make with gin, lemon juice and honey.
The Finlandia Oaks Lily
The oaks lily is a direct competitor of the iconic Kentucky Derby cocktail the mint julep. It's not your typical vodka cranberry as it also includes triple sec and sweet and sour mix.
Desert Gold
This cocktail is packed with sweet and spicy flavors as the sweet mango cubes clash with the spicy cucumber-chile shrub. Tequila lovers will enjoy this drink with tacos and other Mexican dishes.
Lucky Roots Cocktail
This wonderful blend of lemongrass-infused gin, mango and yuzu pairs wonderfully with a seafood dinner.
Fresh Mango Raspberry Bellini
This fruity mango raspberry bellini is a delightful drink to enjoy with any meal. It's a blend of prosecco with fresh mangoes and raspberries to create a sweetness that can contrast with food that uses the spiciest hot sauces in the world.
Jungle Cat
This cocktail is packed with tropical flavors from fresh pineapple juice, lime juice and gin. Gin is a great palate cleanser while eating sushi and sashimi.
Mint to Bee
This take on a classic mojito replaces rum with vodka while keeping the rest of the elements to make the iconic cocktail. Pair this cocktail with grilled shrimp or other grilled dishes to balance the flavors of mint and lime juice.
Matt’s Margarita
This cocktail recipe uses lime juice, a shot of tequila and maple syrup, making it the perfect concoction to wash down spicy food. The lime in this drink is not only a great match with the spices in Mexican food, but also those found in Cajun dishes like gumbo.
Southern Sweet Tea Jam
While you're savoring the flavors of some classic Southern foods, you'll want to have this spiked sweet tea on the side to wash everything down. This twist on Southern sweet tea uses strawberry jam, lemon juice and sweet tea vodka.
Spicy Ginger Mare-garita
The ginger simple syrup in this cocktail pairs perfectly with seafood dishes like sushi. The drink is made of tequila, lime juice, ginger and a kick of jalapeno with added Tajín seasoning along the rim for extra spice.
Woodford Spire
Looking for a quick and easy drink to enjoy while you're grilling up some steaks, chicken and more? The Woodford Spire can be made in just two minutes — all you need is bourbon, lemonade and cranberry juice.
Rosemary Pear Mimosas
Even if you're whipping up the absolute best brunch recipes, your meal is incomplete without a mimosa. But instead of using orange juice, this recipe combines Champagne and rosemary with pear juice.
Limoncello Spritz
This light and refreshing cocktail is made out of limoncello, Champagne, club soda and slices of grapefruit, blood orange and mandarin orange. The bubbly makes it a great drink to enjoy during any weeknight dinner.
Giddy-up Grapefruit Sour
This classic sour cocktail offers a little extra punch. With jalapeno simple syrup added to tequila, grapefruit and lime juice, this drink can be enjoyed on the side of some popular Tex-Mex dishes or sushi. While you're sipping these libations, you can also learn more about the fascinating origins of your favorite cocktails.
For the Giddy-up Grapefruit Sour recipe, click here.
More from The Daily Meal:
Mocktail Recipes Everyone Will Love
Frozen Fruit Recipes: Smoothies, Pops and More Desserts