When the weather starts to get warmer, it’s time to get those grills out and enjoy a delicious barbecue under the sun. Burgers are sure to be top on the menu. Burgers are versatile and well-loved. With a wide range of combinations to explore, there’s something for everyone to try. You can take your burgers to a whole new level this burger season by pairing them with the perfect drink. Below we explore some common burgers and drinks combos to help get you started.
Pairing Burgers and Beers
There’s nothing quite like cold beer and a juicy burger in the summer heat. Actually, beers are the most common combo for burgers and drinks throughout every season. However, not just any beer ought to be paired with just any burger. Finding the right combo will take your meal to a whole new level.
If you want to play it safe, an IPA provides an excellent combo with just about any savory burger. The hoppy taste of an IPA offers a great backdrop to the savory flavor of classic burgers and other savory burgers. However, if you have a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with an amber ale. Amber ales will add a touch of sweetness to your meal and are also great for pairing with savory burgers.
Burgers with smoky toppings or that are loaded with smoked meats pair well with porters. While those that love the heat of spicy burgers would do well to pair them with Helles-style lagers. These lagers will keep the heat at bay although they won’t overtake the flavor. If you enjoy a burger topped with fresh veggies, the clean taste of an American blonde ale would be refreshing.
Pairing Cocktails with Burgers
Burgers aren’t only great with beer. Cocktails are also popular for meat burgers and drinks. However, just like cocktails, burgers also often have a lot going on. Both cocktails and burgers feature a combination of various ingredients and flavors. The numerous flavors can be overpowering. It is therefore best to keep things simple when pairing cocktails and burgers.
A great burger cold drink pairing should be light and refreshing. However, this doesn’t mean you should do without flavor. It should have enough flavor to stand up to the ingredients in the burger. Want to enjoy a gourmet burger with a cocktail? The classic Manhattan would be a great accompaniment to your gourmet burger. The sweet and strong profile of the cocktail is an excellent pair to the premium ingredients of the burger. A cold gin-based cocktail is also a great drink to pair with a burger if you want to cool down during the summer.
Pairing Wines and Burgers
Burgers also go down well with a good wine. You can go with a wine cocktail or a plain wine to accompany your burger. A cocktail featuring a red wine and a cola for example, would be a great pairing for a classic burger. The tart and crisp flavor of the wine cocktail makes a nice complex beverage to wash down the strong smoky flavor of a charred burger.
Pairing A Veggie Burger
Love burgers but don’t love meat? Lost Lake Café’s menu features various options for vegans and vegetarians. The veggie burger is particularly flavorful. If this is your choice burger, then be sure to pair your burger with a wheat ale. Wheat-based ales feature a fruity and even slightly spicy flavor that is excellent for accompanying the texture and flavor of a veggie burger.
Conclusion
Whichever burger and drink combo you choose, be sure that you can fully enjoy it. Visit Lost Lake Café for the best burger and drink experience.