Steakhouse Drinks – What Drinks Go Best With Steak

In this Steakhouse Drinks article, we give you what drinks go best with steak. Steak is rich, savory, and high in fat if you prefer cuts like T-bone or ribeye. Drinks cut through that richness, cleanse your palate, and highlight the meat’s natural flavours. They offer an easy way to elevate your dining experience at a steakhouse. 

You’ve probably tried steak with bold red wine, which is the go-to for many. Steakhouses also offer carefully crafted cocktails and drinks, chosen for reasons beyond preference – balance, contrast, flavor enhancement. 

Learning which drinks pair best with steak allows you to fully appreciate the different textures, seasonings, and flavours of each cut. The cooking method, seasoning, and sauce all influence which pairing will work best. 

A grilled steak with a rich, smoky flavor and char will pair differently from a pan-seared fillet or slow-cooked cut. The goal here is to strike a good balance, where the drink and the steak complement each other. 

3 Steakhouse Drinks for Your Steak

Dining at a classic steakhouse? Here are three of the drinks to try:

1. Red Wine

Red wine is the classic steakhouse choice and easily the ultimate pairing. Red wine is an iconic choice for good reason. Its tannins interact with the fat and protein in steak, causing a smooth, balanced mouthfeel. 

Cabernet Sauvignon is the gold standard of pairings. Its full body, firm tannins, and notes of dark fruit, cedar, and spice complement ribeye, New York Strip, and other rich cuts of grilled or heavily seasoned steaks.

Merlot is a softer wine with smooth tannins and fruit flavours. Pairs well with fillets and tender cuts served with light sauces or butter-based accompaniments. 

Malbec has a plush texture and ripe fruit flavors that pair nicely with grilled beef. Its body complements the meat without overwhelming underlying flavors, making it perfect for sirloin, flank steak, and leaner cuts cooked over open flame.

Other great choices include Zinfandel and Shiraz/Syrah, which offer bold flavours, peppery, and smoky notes. They pair well with charred ribeye and skirt steak seasoned with black pepper, herbs, and spices.

• Unexpected Match: Try steak with white wine, which may work surprisingly well for lean cuts and light flavours. Choose full-bodied whites like Chardonnay to mirror the textures of steaks featuring butter, cream, or mushroom sauces.

2. Cocktails and Spirits

Fancy downing your meat with cocktails? Steakhouses offer a wide range of options. Cocktails are versatile, so you can find sweet, savory, neat, bitter, and many flavors that offer balance and contrast. They’re also a popular steak pairing, with classic, old-fashioned options and contemporary mixes available for different tastes.

Choose an old-fashioned bourbon or rye cocktail with bitters and a touch of sugar. It offers warmth, depth, and a slight sweetness to balance the savory meat, and the alcohol cuts through the steak’s richness. A dry martini is another classic choice, known for its crisp, savory contrast that cleanses your palate between bites.

If you prefer well-marbled steak, pair it with a Manhattan, which combines whiskey and vermouth. The mix offers complex dryness that enhances grilled flavors without overpowering the dish. Other choices include:

• Whiskey Sour: Bright acidity that cuts through fat, perfect for New York Strips.
• Negroni: A bittersweet profile featuring herbal notes that contrasts rich, fatty steaks and cuts, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Moscow Mule: Combines ginger and lime, delivering a refreshing, spicy counterpoint to fatty beef cuts.
• Bloody Mary: Bold flavors with earthy notes that pair well with Angus and other flavorful steaks.

Some diners enjoy steaks with neat spirits, which offer a simple but bold choice. Whiskey-based drinks, such as a quality bourbon or scotch, pair well with charred steaks, echoing the smoky or oaky notes. This pairing is best delivered with rich, boldly seasoned cuts and minimal sauces.

3. Beer and Light Drinks

Beer offers a more casual pairing that can be an excellent companion for steaks in relaxed settings and dining experiences. Rich stouts, porters, and other dark beers complement the sweet and savory notes of grilled smoky, roasted steaks. 

Amber ales and malty lagers pair well with lighter cuts, offering balance without heaviness. The important tip here is to pick a beer with enough body and flavor to stand up to the steak. 

For light drinks, go with white wines like Chardonnay. You can also take non-alcoholic drinks like herbal infusions, club soda, or other refreshments. Just remember to choose drinks with flavors that don’t compete with the steak.

Matching Steakhouse Drinks to Steak Cuts

Steak cuts pair with drinks differently, so you’ll find that some pairings work better than others. Rich cuts, such as ribeye, often pair nicely with robust, full-bodied drinks. Choose peated Scotch, old-fashioned choices, bold cocktails, and full-bodied red wines to stand up to the fat.

Leaner cuts like filet mignon pair with lighter drinks, such as Merlot, lighter reds, and oaked Chardonnay. Choose lighter spirits like bourbon or crisp martinis. For sirloin or flank meat, pair with Malbec, Syrah, or amber beer.

Spicy and seared cuts pair nicely with a Dirty Martini or a spicy Bloody Mary, and other savory cocktails that complement the heat. For the New York Strip, choose Cabernet Sauvignon or a Manhattan cocktail to enhance the sweetness and richness.

Evaluate the cut and preparation method to determine a more refined pairing. The seasoning and flavors imparted from grilling have a bearing on which drinks work well. Ask the steakhouse for suggestions if unsure, or for the full breakdown of the flavours to inform your decision.

Choose Your Steakhouse Drink

Looking for the perfect drink for your steak cut? It’s all about preference. Like many culinary decisions, no single drink is right for everyone. Choose what works for you, but be mindful of pairings known to enhance the overall dining experience.

Red wine is a classic pairing, and cocktails give you more depth and character. Beer and spirits also have their place, especially in casual, relaxed meal experiences. Ultimately, the best pairing depends on your taste, the steak cut, the cooking style, and the occasion. 

Are you attending a formal steakhouse dinner, a romantic date, or a casual grilled meal? Such a question can help provide clarity on which direction to go. Finally, find a authentic steakhouse that has the right atmosphere and prepares delicious steaks just the way you love them!