Picture the scene: you’re sitting down to enjoy the best Indian food in Kensington, London, and you know exactly what you want to order – but you have no idea how to pair a drink with it. Do you choose a hoppy beer to accompany your biryani or a lager? A light white wine to complement your creamy curry or a punchy red? Here, we outline how to pair a drink with your dish so you’re guaranteed a flavourful dining experience.
Considerations
Before you go ahead and order, you need to be aware of a couple of considerations when pairing drinks with Indian food. Depending on your preferences, you may want to tone down the spice levels in your dish or enhance them. Here are the ways in which drinks and spices interact.
Acidity: The acidity in a drink makes the mouth water and tones down the more fiery spices.
Sugar: Sugar can act as a barrier between the food and your taste buds, again taking the edge of the heat in your meal.
Alcohol: A higher alcohol content will typically enhance your perception of spiciness from ingredients like ginger and chilli.
Tannins: Tannins will also enhance your perception of heat and create a more bitter flavour by clashing with the sweetness and acidity of ingredients like onions and tomatoes.
Reduce the heat
If you’re looking to reduce the heat and soothe the taste buds, choose a wine or beer with a lower alcohol content and low or no tannins. White wines such as off-dry Rieslings work best here, as well as aromatic Gewürztraminer. If you want red wine, New World Pinot Noir or Spanish Tempranillo are good options. Many people choose light and refreshing beers like pilsners to accompany a curry, since they cut through the heat. Alternatively choose a cocktail or soft drink that is crisp, fresh and sweet. A Cosmopolitan would be a great choice, while non-drinkers could choose fruit juices or sweet lemonade.
Ramp up the heat
If you prefer to dial up the spiciness, opt for a drink that is big and bold with plenty of tannin and a higher alcohol content. New World Chardonnays are perfect, typically having a higher ABV and plenty of oak, vanilla and exotic fruit on the palate. For red wine drinkers, an Australian Shiraz with its peppery notes will enhance the spice of your dish. If you prefer beer, choose a full-bodied and flavourful stout or a hoppy IPA, while those opting for soft drinks or cocktails should select anything with ginger beer to elevate the sense of heat.
Discover your favourite pairings
The perfect pairing of Indian food and drink is largely down to preference, but all good Indian restaurants in London will have a variety of options and staff who can make recommendations. For the ultimate Indian fine dining experience, visit Little India. Our Indian restaurant near South Kensington serves authentic cuisine alongside a range of beverages, giving you the chance to explore your tastes and find the ideal match. Book your table with us today.
