How to choose non-alcoholic beverage pairings for filets mignon?
I'm serving filets mignon with goat cheese and balsamic reduction to guests who don't drink alcohol. I'd like to serve a beverage with our meal that complements the steaks as nicely as red wine would (even if not in the same way). I'd also like it to be a sort of festive beverage. I was thinking along the lines of sparkling cider, but that will be way too light and sweet for the heavy meal.
There's a long tradition in the culinary world of pairing wines with meals or specific types of food, and the same goes for beer. What do I need to keep in mind when looking for a beverage that can hold its own against my filets? Are there any general rules for non-alcholic pairing, like there are for wine pairing, that would apply in this case?
Best Answer
I have had success pairing steaks with freshly pressed apple juice, as the tartness helps offset the richness and fats of the meat and cheese. An apple/raspberry mix works beautifully, too, as does apple and blackcurrant.
While ginger beer and ginger ale may work, you run the risk of the drink taking over the show, which you don't want.
Two more pairings that work well: Apple and cherry juice is beautiful. Blueberry juice (100% blueberries, with no additives) have much the same mouthfeel as a good red wine, while giving flavor notes all of its own.
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What drink goes good with steak non-alcoholic?
Another traditional non-alcoholic drink that goes well with a steak is club soda with a twist of lemon or lime. This drink helps cut through the fat and also acts as a palate cleanser that will balance out the flavors of your steak.What drinks go well with with filet mignon?
These include beer, whisky, martinis, white wine, and nonalcoholic beverages like club soda.- Beer. Porters and stouts are recommended to accompany a good cut of beef. ...
- Whiskey. ...
- Martinis. ...
- White wine. ...
- Nonalcoholic drinks. ...
- Get mouthwatering steaks at Dyer's Bar-B-Que.
What drink compliments a steak?
White wine: While red wine is the classic choice to pair with steak, white wine is also a great option to have with red meat. The best white wine options to pair with steak are full-bodied whites that complement the flavor of steak. Chardonnays are great for pairing with steak because of their dynamic flavor.What non-alcoholic drink goes with beef stew?
Non-Alcoholic Drinks- Cranberry or Pomegranate Juice. These two juices work because they contain tannins (just like red wine), which act as palate cleansers and cut through the heavy meat. ...
- Club Soda with Lemon or Lime.
Alcohol-free cocktails are gaining popularity – but don't call them mocktails
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Answer 2
As your question aims to be as broad as possible, there isn't one right answer of course, but as a general guideline: It's always good to put some of the beverage accompanying the dish, in the dish.
You could make an adapted version of a red wine sauce, based on a soft drink instead of wine/port. Let it reduce a bit, so it becomes thicker and stickier. You could read this to have some idea what I'm talking about.
I think you could also do this with fruit juices, for instance orange juice in a sauce for duck or chicken, although it is possible that the orange taste is too strong, if you serve it with OJ as a beverage.
Answer 3
If your guests drink non-alcoholic drinks then there are non-alcoholic wines available. A quick google search tells me Total Wine sells them. That way you can still do the normal/conventional wine/food pairing, but in a non-alcoholic version.
Another idea (based on your sparkling juice idea) would be to use soda water and juice. That way you can control the sweetness and pair the fruit to the meal (ie. berries/dark fruit to red meat, peach/light fruit to fish/chicken). You'll still get a different (unusual) drink that will also compliment the meal.
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