A seafood boil is a classic summertime meal that’s sure to please everyone at your dinner table. Filled with succulent seafood, corn on the cob, and potatoes, this delectable dish is best when served with drinks that pair well with the spicy flavors of the boil.
It only takes 5 minutes to get the world’s best list of drinks pairs for a seafood boil, or you can go to my Quick listing section given below.
So let’s dive into drinks…
Best Non-alcoholic Drink Goes Best with Seafood Boil
1. Fresh Lemonade
Sweet and tart lemonade is a classic summer favorite, and it pairs perfectly with a seafood boil. Try adding a few slices of fresh lemons for an extra zing.
2. Iced Tea
If you’re looking for something more traditional, iced tea is a perfect choice for any seafood boil.
For an added touch, try making sun tea by placing a few tea bags in a pitcher of cold water and letting it steep overnight.
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3. Spicy Tomato Juice
If you’re craving something with more flavor, spicy tomato juice is the perfect option. Add your favorite hot sauce to give it an extra kick.
4. Homemade Fruit Punch
For a more kid-friendly drink, try making a homemade fruit punch. Mix together some frozen juices and sparkling water for a refreshing treat that adults and kids alike will love.
Best wine goes best with a seafood boil
Seafood boils are a classic summertime dish that can be enjoyed by family and friends. From the very popular Old Bay-style boil to a Cajun seafood boil, there is something for everyone.
Crisp white wine
A crisp, acidic white that will perfectly complement the briny flavors of the shellfish. For a crisp, acidic white that will perfectly complement the briny flavors of the shellfish, try an unoaked Chardonnay.
A fuller-bodied option, an oaked Chardonnay or Viognier can provide the perfect balance to your meal. Riesling is another great choice — its sweetness will pair perfectly with the richness of the butter and spices often used in seafood boils.
A Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio has just enough acidity to offset some of the richness from ingredients like butter and cream sauces while still highlighting citrus notes from things like lemons and limes used in many kinds of seafood boils.
Plus, its light body won’t overpower any of your ingredients.
- Pinot Grigio
- White blend
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chenin Blanc
- Chardonnay
- Riesling
Red Wines Pair with Seafood Boil
Red wines are popular accompaniments for many types of seafood, but some varietals pair particularly well with a seafood boil.
Light-bodied and acidic Pinot Noir or Gamay brings out the rich flavor of boiled shellfish, highlighting the sweetness of crab and lobster.
Zesty medium-bodied Sangiovese is an excellent complement to a spicy Cajun-style boil.
The tannins in Cabernet Franc, a full-bodied red, hold up to the robust flavors of sausage and potatoes that are often part of seafood boils.
Syrah is another excellent pairing for this dish, as its smoky, herbal notes bring out the subtle nuances of boiled shrimp.
For those looking for something slightly sweet, Beaujolais is an excellent choice, as its bright fruit flavors highlight the sweetness of boiled clams and mussels.
Cocktails
Seafood boils are a delectable and exciting dinner choice, and some cocktails go with a seafood boil.
To bring out the flavors in the boil, consider a classic Margarita, tequila sunrise, or Daiquiri made with fresh lime juice.
Both drinks have just enough sweetness to balance out any spiciness in your seafood boil without being too overpowering.
For something a bit more unique, try an infused Mojito made with mango or strawberry-infused rum.
If you want to go all out, a classic piña colada or Dark and Stormy is sure to be a crowd pleaser. To round out the meal, pair the cocktail with some light sides such as boiled potatoes, coleslaw, or fresh fruit salad.
You can also try mixing flavored simple syrups such as strawberry-basil or cucumber-mint into your cocktail creations for an extra layer of flavor!
Choose lighter spirits like vodka, gin, or tequila mixed with sparkling water or soda water for a refreshing sip, perfect for hot summer days spent eating outdoors.
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Blackberry moonshine cocktail
The Blackberry Moonshine Cocktail is a delightful summer staple for any seafood feast. With notes of fresh blackberries, hints of citrus, and a touch of honey sweetness, this cocktail pairs perfectly with a large seafood boil.
It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart that will have your guests wanting more.
Not to mention, the vibrant hue of the cocktail makes it a showstopper that’s sure to be the talk of the party! To make this cocktail, you’ll need blackberry moonshine, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and some ice.
Simply combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with more ice. For a garnish, consider adding some fresh blackberries and a lemon wedge.
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Beer
Beer is an obvious choice for pairing with a seafood boil because it complements the spicy notes in the dish well.
Beer goes best with all of the spices used in a seafood boil and cuts through some of the oiliness. It also has enough body to stand up to heartier items like crab legs, crawfish, and sausage.
A Crisp lager
A crisp lager is one of my favorite drinks to serve with any seafood boil. It’s light and refreshing with a smooth taste.
The hop presence provides a nice balance to the heavier flavors of garlic, Old Bay seasoning, and shellfish you find in a typical seafood boil.
It’s also great to enjoy while relaxing on the beach or having dinner with friends. I especially enjoy drinking it out of an ice-cold mug on a warm summer day.
I’m partial to Mexican lagers since they have a distinctive flavor that pairs nicely with seafood boils. Negra Modelo is one of my favorites! Although any crisp lager will do for this occasion, it’s always fun to try something new when picking beer for a seafood boil.
A useful rule of thumb is to look for beers that are light in body, clean, and crisp in flavor, with a moderate hop presence.
That way, you can enjoy the beer without overpowering the flavors of the food.
Hefeweizen
Hefeweizen is a type of beer that originates from Germany and is widely popular in the United States. It’s typically a wheat-based beer, which gives it a light, refreshing flavor with notes of banana and clove.
Hefeweizen provides a unique contrast between the light and fruity flavors of the beer and the savory spices of the boil.
The crispness of the beer cuts through the richness of the boil, creating an enjoyable balance on your palate.
Plus, Hefeweizen’s low alcohol content makes it an ideal choice for summer days when you want to enjoy some tasty seafood without getting too tipsy too quickly!
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Pilsner beer
Pilsner beer is the best decision to take with any seafood boil. It has a refreshing and crisp taste that complements the flavors of the seafood, but it also has a light body that won’t overpower more delicate flavors.
Pilsner beer is made with noble hops, which gives it its distinct herbal, floral, and grassy aromas that add complexity to the seafood boil.
The light body of this style of beer makes it ideal for pairing with a wide range of fish varieties and sauces.
The best part, its low bitterness helps balance out some of the spicier elements in many traditional seafood boil recipes.
Indian Pale Ale
Indian Pale Ale is the perfect drink to enjoy a delicious seafood boil. It has the perfect balance of hops and malt that enhances the flavors in the spicy seafood broth.
The slight bitterness of this style of beer helps to cut through the richness of the shellfish while also balancing out some of the spicinesses.
Not only does this beer pair well with seafood, but it also has a great bite that complements spicy dishes like curries and tacos.
The bold character of this brew makes it the ideal choice for any meal that needs an extra kick.
Ice Cold Beer
Ice cold beer is a particularly fitting choice to serve with a seafood boil, as its effervescence can help to cleanse the palate between bites of the flavorful and oftentimes heavily seasoned seafood.
Additionally, the bitterness of certain beers, such as IPAs, can help to cut through the richness of creamy sauces or butter that are frequently served with seafood.
For those looking to add a bit of sweetness or complexity to their meal, wheat beers and ales can be great choices. With just the right beer, a delicious seafood boil can be enhanced in ways you never thought possible!
What are some general tips for pairing wine with seafood?
1. Taste the seafood first to determine if it is mild, medium, or strongly flavored. This will help you choose a wine that will harmoniously match its flavor intensity.
2. For lighter-flavored seafood like calamari and scallops, pair with crisp white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
3. For richer, heavier seafood like salmon, swordfish, or tuna, try a medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or a dry rosé.
4. If you are serving shellfish such as lobster, crab, or shrimp, look towards fuller flavored whites like Viognier and Riesling or even light-bodied reds such as Pinot Noir or Gamay.
5. For a classic pairing, try white wines from the same region as where your seafood is from. An excellent example of this is Muscadet, a white wine produced in the Loire Valley which pairs beautifully with oysters and other seafood from the same region.
6. Sparkling wines are a great companion for heavier seafood or as an apéritif before a meal. Champagne is always a crowd-pleaser and pairs nicely with many types of seafood dishes.
7. When cooking heavily spiced dishes like curries or spicy tilapia, look to lighter-bodied reds such as Beaujolais or Barbera. These wines tend to have enough acidity and tannin to cut through the spiciness of the dish.
What are some of the best seafood boil recipes?
There are a variety of seafood boil recipes that you can use to create a delicious and flavorful meal. Here are some of the best:
1. Creole Shrimp Boil:
This is a classic shrimp boil recipe with garlic, butter, onions, celery, bell peppers, Old Bay seasoning, and beer. It’s a simple, flavorful dish that is sure to please.
2. Crab Boil:
This boil combines crab legs with potatoes, onions, garlic, corn on the cob, and a blend of spices for a delicious meal. Add some melted butter for an extra decadent touch.
3. Lobster Boil:
This boil is all about the lobster! Combine big pieces of fresh lobster with potatoes, sausage, corn on the cob, and lemon slices for an amazing seafood feast.
4. Cajun Shrimp Boil:
Get ready to add some heat to your shrimp boil with this recipe! It includes Andouille sausage, sweet potato chunks, celery stalks and leaves, garlic cloves, and lots of Cajun seasoning.
5. Garlic Shrimp Boil:
This is a great seafood boil recipe to use if you love the flavor of garlic. It features garlic, lemon slices, potatoes, and lots of butter for a rich and flavorful meal.
FAQs
What type of wine should I pair with a seafood boil?
When pairing wine with a seafood boil, it is important to consider the types of seafood being included.
Generally speaking, lighter and crisper wines are best suited for pairing with delicate fish, while bolder and fuller-bodied wines work better with heartier proteins like shrimp or lobster.
Some good options that pair nicely with a seafood boil include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Chardonnay, or Chenin Blanc. For those wanting to venture outside of whites, light-bodied reds such as Pinot Noir or Beaujolais Nouveau would also be suitable. Sparkling wines like Prosecco or Champagne are also excellent choices for pairing with seafood.
Ultimately, the best wine to pair with a seafood boil is one that you enjoy and makes the meal even more enjoyable.