Hard Seltzer + Food Pairings: Flavor Matches Made in Heaven
Do you love a refreshing, carbonated beverage after dinner but want to break out of your water or soda routine? Hard seltzer is quickly becoming the go-to beverage for people looking for something new and interestingly flavored. But what should you pair it with?
The world of hard seltzer has opened up a lot of new possibilities for food pairings. This low-calorie and the alcoholic beverage is a great way to switch up your regular drink routine.
Whether you're hosting an outdoor gathering or looking to mix things up with your dinner routine, there are plenty of options when it comes to pairing food with hard seltzer. From light snacks to flavorful meals, this guide will help you choose the right dish that complements the taste of any type of hard seltzer, making every meal a perfect match!
Table of Contents
Can you really pair hard seltzers with food?
Why pair with Pivot?
Pivot Pairings
Red Meat
White Meat
Pasta and Vegetarian Dishes
Snacks
Can you pair hard seltzers with food?
Hard seltzers are increasingly popular beverages, offering a light, bubbly, and low-calorie alternative to beer and cocktails. But can they be paired with food as well? The answer is yes! Hard seltzers have a clean, light flavor profile that pairs perfectly with a number of different foods.
Why pair with Pivot?
Pivot, unlike other vodka or adult seltzers, uses a proprietary base from which it sources its all-natural electrolytes. When carbonated, this makes for a nice mouth feel as well as adds a light sweetness to help boost the other natural flavors in the seltzer. Ultimately, this yields an incredibly delicious, seltzer that's more full in flavor than sparkling water but less than a full flavor, and full sugar, cocktail.
Pivot's three inaugural flavors are Passion Fruit Fizz, Elderberry Bramble, and Moscow Mule.
Passion Fruit Fizz is our tropical flavor. Pair this with a rich, creamy pasta dish as it will lighten up the meal with its citrus-forward brightness.
The Elderberry Bramble is our crowd-pleasing mixed berry flavor with a little bit of floral background. Pair this with red meat or pasta with red sauce as its tasting notes are similar to some red wines.
Finally, our Moscow Mule is right for anybody who likes a zesty, spicy drink with a nice citrus back. This is perfect for fish and other white meat.
Pivot isn't yet available in stores, but keep an eye out as they're coming soon! In the meantime, take a look at some alternative seltzer pairing recommendations to sate your palate until you can get your hands on Pivot's Premium Cocktails' delicious drinks!
Pivot Pairings
Red Meat
Berries add a natural sweetness to hard seltzers, making them a good match for red meat. Fun, enthusiastic, and exciting flavors can bring out the natural sweetness of the meat and help balance out the saltiness. Try a black cherry-flavored hard seltzer with a barbecue brisket or raspberry-flavored hard seltzer with a grilled lamb chop.
If you're feeling adventurous and want to try a red meat combo outside of the box, try:
Citrus + red meat: Citrus-flavored hard seltzers, such as grapefruit or lemon, can help cut through the richness of red meat. The acidity in the citrus can help cleanse your palate and balance out the flavors. Try a grapefruit-flavored hard seltzer with a grilled steak or lemon-flavored hard seltzer with a burger.
Tropical seltzers +red meat: Tropical-flavored hard seltzers, such as pineapple or mango, can be a refreshing pairing with red meat. The sweetness and tropical notes can complement the smokiness of the meat. Try a pineapple-flavored or mango-flavored hard seltzer with a beef kebab.
White Meat
Fish is also a great companion for hard seltzer - try pairing a lime seltzer with steamed salmon or baked trout, letting the light flavor of your beverage enhance the delicate flavor of your seafood dish. Seafood salads are another excellent choice of accompaniment.
Light fish like whitefish, cod, or mahi-mahi pair delightfully with grapefruit hard seltzer for an elevated dinner night experience.
Additionally, for an added kick to any dish with rich, oily fish like salmon, mackerel, or herring, ginger-flavored seltzer can be a great choice.
Pasta and Vegetarian Dishes
Seltzers also offer a complementary contrast to spicy dishes like Thai or Indian curries, helping to cool down the heat without overbearingly sweetening the meal.
Their tart yet refreshing flavors mix especially well with heavier dishes like eggplant parmesan.
Vegetarian dishes such as roasted vegetable ratatouille and veggie burgers make great sidekicks for hard seltzer too! Classic lemon-lime flavored drinks will exceptionally enrich such meals without overpowering them - this drink is truly versatile at work!
Snacks
Just doing charcuterie? To get the most out of a charcuterie board, there are some easy twists on classic combinations that will bring added zest and complexity to each bite. Adding interesting drink pairings can also enhance the experience. Keep in mind the easy twists on classic combos:
Black Cherry + Blue Cheese: Black Cherry Seltzer combined with a sharp Blue Cheese creates an intriguing contrast between sweet and savory flavors that can't be matched. This combination has a strong flavor profile making it perfect for cheese connoisseurs and beginners alike.
Grapefruit + Washed Rinds: a grapefruit or other tart citrus seltzer complements washed rinds perfectly! This fruity twist balances out the intense odor of washed rinds while amplifying their creamier notes.
Lime + Fresh Cheeses: this classic combination is one people overlook when they think of charcuterie boards. With its bright taste, freshly-squeezed lime adds a subtle tang to the savory notes of fresh cheeses like feta or ricotta cheese. It's the ideal balance between acidity and saltiness for those who don’t love overly bold flavors but still want something exciting to enjoy with their charcuterie board.
So let loose and explore all the delicious pairings that await you — yes, even hard seltzer pairs with food!
Pivot Premium Cocktails
Pivot Premium Cocktails are electrolyte-based vodka seltzers made from all-natural ingredients and no artificial sweeteners. Gluten-free, with no added sugar, and crafted on a botanical base rich in naturally occurring electrolytes, these canned cocktails are ideal for someone who wants to maximize buzz and minimize day-after fuzz.
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