What to Drink With: Barbecue Food (2025)

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As the sun sets later and the evenings grow warmer, everyone gathers out on the patio or deck, basking in the aromas of barbecued specialties of the house. With spice rubs and a profusion of sauces to fill the air, it’s no wonder we’re drawn to the barbecue like bees to honey.

But the grill serves up such a wide range of treasures that pairing them with wine can be seen either as a challenge or an overture to your imagination. Driven by flavor accents from sauce and spice, each grilled meat could wax from one side of the wine continuum to the other. Luckily, the spirit of outdoor dining—including the tendency to serve lighter, less cerebral, beverages—simplifies the choice.

Sparkling Wine

Sparkling wines beat the heat and play well with almost any grilled food. Stick to the quaffable wines like Prosecco or Cava, or maybe a light-bodied California bubbly, and leave the vintage Champagne in the cellar.

White Wine

White wines are clearly suited to grilled fish and chicken, and some pork recipes, even those that call for blackened preparations or spice rubs. The high acidity in Sauvignon Blanc—or a cool Sancerre (made from the same grape)—pairs perfectly in this role. Choose a white Burgundy or another Chardonnay for the fattier fish, like tuna, trout, or rockfish. Chardonnay’s also the best pick for veggie burgers, and sometimes regular hamburgers that have a mushroom sauce.

Rosé

There’s no question that rosés add lift and ‘spirit’ to casual outdoor gatherings. Served brisk and cool, these wines have a bit more acidity than white wines to battle the grilled flavors of the food. Among the easy favorites in this category are Bandol from Provence, Tavel from the Rhône Valley, and some interesting rosé experiments in California made from the Sangiovese grape.

Red Wine

When pork or salmon is on the menu, Pinot Noir—from Oregon, the Russian River Valley or Burgundy—is best. The richer flavors rely on the Pinot Noir for weight and texture though they would get blotted out by heavier wines like Cabernet, Petit Sirah, or Barolo. Smoked meats—especially those with a bacon accent—are also best served with Pinot Noir, playing off the smoky, tea-leaf flavors of the wine.

If you’re serving hamburgers, steak, barbecued ribs, or beef tenderloin, only the big red wines will do. Bordeaux, California Cabernet, and Barolo are perfect matches, but if the spice turns the dish hot, zero in on Zinfandel or a similarly spicy Australian Shiraz or Argentine Malbec.

The key to successful wine-food pairing for outdoor dining is simplicity. Don’t choose a wine that requires too much thought because the setting doesn’t call for that. The wines should fit the food, but they should also fit the casual mood of the gathering.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023

What to Drink With: Barbecue Food (2025)

FAQs

What drink goes best with barbecue? ›

Rich, dark liquors like bourbon and whiskey go well with the smokiness of BBQ dishes like brisket and pulled pork. If you don't want to drink it straight, we recommend mixing up a bourbon lemonade – the slightly tart taste of lemons cuts the smokiness of both the bourbon and BBQ.

What should I drink after eating barbecue? ›

5 Beverages That Go Great With Barbeque Food
  • Lemonade. Lemonade is a refreshing drink and a top favorite in the summer season. ...
  • Iced Fruit Punch. It is always nice to taste something that tastes fruity especially after eating hot and very flavorful barbeque. ...
  • Raspberry Spritzer. ...
  • Soda. ...
  • Apple Orchard Punch.
Jan 11, 2018

What drinks to bring to a cookout? ›

Beyond Beer: 10 Cookout Cocktails to Drool Over
  • Peach Iced Tea.
  • Long Island Iced Tea.
  • Raspberry Lemonade.
  • Pride Punch.
  • Bay Breeze.
  • Blue Lagoon Sangria.
  • Cruzan® 9 Root Beer.
  • Marshmallow Float.

What beverage pairs with ribs? ›

If you're serving hamburgers, steak, barbecued ribs, or beef tenderloin, only the big red wines will do. Bordeaux, California Cabernet, and Barolo are perfect matches, but if the spice turns the dish hot, zero in on Zinfandel or a similarly spicy Australian Shiraz or Argentine Malbec.

What is the best partner for barbecue? ›

30 BEST Sides for a BBQ
  • Ensalada Rusa.
  • Deviled Eggs.
  • Borracho Beans.
  • Cauliflower Salad.
  • Three Bean Salad.
  • Ambrosia Salad.
  • Thai Quinoa Salad.
  • Cucumber Salad.
Jun 16, 2023

What should I bring to a BBQ party? ›

If you've been invited to a BBQ, you could bring along a side salad, a dessert, dips, condiments, or drinks to share. Whatever you do, don't bring along meat unless specifically asked by the host to do so – you don't want to outshine the host's 10-hour-smoked brisket!

What not to eat at a barbecue? ›

7 Foods to Avoid During Barbeque Season
  • Processed Meats. ...
  • Potato Chips. ...
  • Mayo-Drenched Pasta Salads and Coleslaw. ...
  • Artificial Sweeteners & High Sugar Drinks. ...
  • Canned Tomatoes. ...
  • Table Salt. ...
  • Most Vegetable Oils.
Jul 3, 2018

What wine pairs well with barbecue? ›

Pinot Noirs are good with pork and chicken and a peppery Zinfandel or even a Grenache can contrast well with brisket. As far as whites go, Montrachet or even Chablis—because its crispiness and minerality cut through the fat—would work with either pork or chicken. I also love an effervescent rosé with brisket.

What should I drink after eating outside food? ›

Drinking warm water, herbal teas, or green juices after you eat can help reduce inflammation, improve gut health, and aid absorption. If you continue to experience digestive problems even after lifestyle changes, talk with a doctor.

What can I bring to a last minute cookout? ›

Share this article
  • Cowboy Beans. This trail-inspired recipe is sure to satisfy serious appetites. ...
  • Easy Orzo Salad. ...
  • Grilled Corn on the Cob with BBQ Butter. ...
  • Southern-style Potato Salad. ...
  • Quick and Easy New England-style Baked Beans. ...
  • Fusilli Pasta Salad with Artichokes. ...
  • Slaw with Lime Vinaigrette and Tortilla Strips. ...
  • Texas Caviar.

What drinks are at cookout? ›

Cook Out Floats, Drinks, Dessert Menu
ItemCaloriesPrice
Fresh Brewed Tea, Huge390 calories$2.39
Coca-Cola Beverage, Regular460 calories$2.19
Coca-Cola Beverage, Large260 calories$2.39
Cheerwine, Regular380 calories$2.19
7 more rows

What drinks pair well with barbecue? ›

That is why we've compiled a list of 15 delectable cocktail and BBQ pairings that are sure to elevate your meal to a whole new level.
  • Grilled Lemon Gin and Tonic. ...
  • Sunshine Smash. ...
  • Bourbon Lemonade. ...
  • Moscow Mule. ...
  • Spicy Margarita. ...
  • Skinny Margarita. ...
  • Mojito. ...
  • Tequila Mule.
Aug 17, 2023

What non alcoholic drink goes with ribs? ›

Non-Alcoholic Drink Pairing with BBQ Ribs

Amber-coloured non-alcoholic IPAs add a smoky, sun-drenched taste to the sauciness of BBQ ribs.

What sides go best with BBQ ribs? ›

39 Best Side Dishes To Serve With Barbecue Ribs
  • 01 of 39. Southern-Style Potato Salad. DOTDASH MEREDITH. ...
  • 02 of 39. Cornbread Muffins. ...
  • 03 of 39. Smoky-Sweet Baked Beans. ...
  • 04 of 39. Deviled Egg Pasta Salad. ...
  • 05 of 39. Classic Coleslaw. ...
  • 06 of 39. Sidney's Potato Salad. ...
  • 07 of 39. Macaroni Corn Casserole. ...
  • 08 of 39. Grilled Corn On The Cob.
Jan 23, 2024

What beer goes well with BBQ? ›

Basic Beer and BBQ Pairing Guide

Ambers or brown beer work best with beef and or brisket. We like Hazy, clowdy IPAs for chicken or pork because of how light yet diverse it can be.

What not to bring to a barbecue? ›

Foods You Should Never Serve At A Cookout
  • Canned foods. Anthony Berenyi/Shutterstock. ...
  • Cheese plate. Dmitry Lityagin/Shutterstock. ...
  • Chocolate. matka_Wariatka/Shutterstock. ...
  • Dark and heavily carbonated beer. PavelKant/iStock via Getty Images Plus. ...
  • Deviled eggs. ...
  • Drinks in glass bottles. ...
  • Elaborate desserts. ...
  • Flavored chips only.
May 17, 2021

How many drinks for BBQ? ›

With all that delicious grub, thirst is bound to follow. Be the BBQ hero by offering a variety of drinks to suit all tastes. Plan on approximately two drinks per hour per guest. This can include a mix of non-alcoholic options like lemonade, iced tea, Maine Root sodas, as well as adult beverages for those who indulge.

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