Summer Drinks That Pair Well With Steak

Just as there are numerous ways to cook steak, there are many summer drinks that pair well with a juicy slab of red meat. Different cuts of steak have different fat content, so the drink of choice depends on which cut you're making and how you'll be preparing it.

Grilled Steak and Wines

Since steak has such a high fat content, it is usually balanced with a hearty, full-bodied red wine with plenty of tannins. Try these wine combinations when you grill steak this summer.

    Red wine sangria is wonderful with any grilled cut of steak that isn't glazed.
    Wine from the Rhone River Valley region of France goes particularly well with a grilled rib eye steak.
    New York strip steaks are perfectly balanced with a Bordeaux blend or any single varietal from France or the New World, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Beaujolais or Merlot.
    If you're using a barbecue sauce, an Australian shiraz can withstand the fruitiness of the glaze.

Grilled Steak and Beer

Some folks prefer a cold beer with a grilled steak. Many of the microbrewed beers like Arrogant Bastard Ale, Fat Tire, Rogue Imperial India Pale Ale or McSorley's Black Ale work well. Flavorful imported beers like Guinness Stout, Newcastle Brown Ale or Stella Artois are good choices also.

Grilled Steak and Cocktails

Cocktails are usually served before and after dinner. However, with grilled steak, whatever tastes good is fine. Strong alcohol provides adequate counterpoint to the fatty meat. If you prefer liquor-based drinks with your meat, try one of these traditional favorite combinations. with a Bernaise sauce are well-matched with the herbal highlights of the classic summer cocktail, gin and tonic.
    A grilled rib eye with blue-cheese butter is a perfect mate for a Maker's Mark Manhattan.
    Oak-aged bourbon goes quite well with enormous porterhouse steaks. For less fatty cuts, try bourbon and branch.
    Scotch on the rocks has a peaty flavor that works well with steak.
    A brandy cocktail is a no-brainer for a grilled steak glazed with brandy sauce.
    A Bloody Mary is a perfect cocktail for steak because it has savory Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces that enhance steak's flavor.


Steak Dishes are served with various summer alcoholic beverages. The ingredients in the dish typically determine the type of drink.

    A hearty beef stew goes great with a red Burgundy.
    Duvall Ale is a perfect accompaniment for a beer-braised brisket.
    A tequila margarita brings out the spiciness of a Mexican steak dish like carne asada.
    A steak salad is well-paired with a microbrewed beer like Slingshot Extra Pale Ale, MacTarnahan's Amber Ale or Hop Henge India Pale Ale.
    Argentinian bife de chorizo or bife de lomo requires a full-bodied Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon.
    Non-Alcoholic Drinks

If you're not a fan of alcoholic beverages, try one of these.

    A classic Coca-Cola or Pepsi has always been a great friend to a grilled steak.
    How can you beat a milkshake and a steak on a hot summer day?
    Good old sweet tea goes with anything, especially grilled steaks.
    A Virgin Mary is as good with steak as a regular Bloody Mary. By adding celery salt and horseradish to the drink, it's even better.

If you're grilling your steak or preparing a steak dish, you'll get the best of both worlds with these summer drink combinations.