Perfect Pairings: Why Cocktails Deserve a Seat at the Table
Why Cocktails Belong at the Table
I love it when cocktails bring personality to a meal. They not only excite the palate, but they can also complement your food, cut through rich flavours, highlight delicate ones AND add layers of intrigue. Yes, I love the right wine with food, but cocktails can offer freedom as well as real creativity when it comes to food and drink matching. I love the flair and excitement they give!
You could be sipping a smoky mezcal number with your steak at The Crown Grill. Or enjoying a citrusy spritz alongside a Mediterranean seafood dish at The Catch by Rudi. Try something a bit different and go with your gut feeling. It’s all about what makes your taste buds sing.
On Sun Princess, that’s exactly what you get — variety, craft, and the ability to tailor your drink to your mood, your meal, and the moment.
My Go-To Pairings
Here are a few combos I absolutely love:
- Vodka and seafood – It’s an age-old match and I love it! Think light, crisp (and strong) vodka-based cocktails with your catch. A martini with smoked salmon or saline shellfish is an absolute winner. And a longer vodka cocktail will work with grilled fish perfectly!
- Rum and spice – With a historic association with the ocean waves, it feels right that we should sip rum on board! Spiced and aged rum is great with heat. Whether you’re enjoying a sticky glaze, some jerk chicken, or a pumpkin-spiced dessert, rum-based cocktails like an Old Cuban or a Great Pumpkin (more on that later!) hold their own.
- Whisky with steak – If you think steak only craves red wine, think again! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE red wine with steak but why not try something different? The rich, malty, wooded smoke notes that whisky can give is just fabulous with steak. And as you’ll find some of the finest whiskies in the world on board Princess Cruises, a classic Old Fashioned, or a Manhattan will be your steaks’ perfect partner when at The Crown Grill.
- Bitter-sweet and bold dishes – A negroni-style cocktail or something with a bitter Italian style aperitif and vermouth works brilliantly with rich pastas or slow-cooked meats. Think, dark orange and herbaceous notes with an unctuous, rich ragu. Mmmmmm... A match made in heaven, well on board!
If you’re not sure about what you’d like to try, don’t be afraid to ask the bar team for a pairing suggestion — they know what they’re doing, and they love talking flavour.
Final Thought: Try Something New
If you’re a wine drinker, I encourage you to try a cocktail with dinner just once on your next Princess cruise. You might be surprised at how well it works — and how fun it feels. I’m sure it will put a smile on your face!
It’s a holiday. Shake things up. Literally!
You can find more cruising inspiration by exploring the Princess blog, or find a cruise.
