5 Lemongrass Cocktails And Spicy Southeast Asian Combos For Most Photogenic Spread
The spicy Southeast Asian cuisine is unique and zingy. The spice has layers of umami, sweet, and tangy flavours that accentuate one another. Food dishes are crisp, a little smoky, and frequently have a citrus or fermented flavour. In the best way possible, the texture is wild. One bite will contain soft noodles, crunchy vegetables, juicy meats, and a ton of crispy bits. Char-grilling, flash-frying, and fast, high-temperature stir-fries are the typical cooking techniques used to maintain the food's robust flavour while keeping it light.
Why, therefore, do they go so well with beverages? It all comes down to balance and contrast. Something chilled, fizzy, or sour needs to be paired. A beverage breaks through the richness with a hint of bitterness. Even a mocktail with a thick syrup or herb oil adds a profile to the combination. The cuisine adds crunch, and the beverage has clarity and fizz. They simply click together, making the bite and the sip stand out.
5 Pairings To Remember Ever-Popular Flavour
Lemongrass Collins Cocktail With Fried Tofu Sisig
The herbal taste of lemongrass, along with the tangy zing of lime and the subtle sweetness of soda water, makes up this crisp drink. It is perfect for exploring a citrus foundation and lemongrass infusion. It is the ultimate picture-perfect drink!
How to Make It:
30 ml rum
20 ml lemongrass syrup
15 ml ginger juice
Top with soda water
Step-By-Step Guide:
- In a cocktail shaker, whisk the gin, lemongrass syrup, and lime juice with ice.
- Strain into an ice-filled tall glass.
- Pour soda water on top, then add a lemongrass stalk or a lime wheel as a garnish.
Fried tofu sisig, which is usually seasoned with soy sauce, chilli, garlic, and onions, combines crispy tofu with savoury flavours. Each bite is quite gratifying because the creamy, rich sauce balances the crunchiness of the tofu. This meal has the ideal balance of flavours and textures, being both savoury and spicy with a hint of citrus to lighten the combo.
Tips To Make The Dish At Home
- For a crispier texture, press the tofu to eliminate extra moisture.
- Don't cut back on the garlic, but adjust the chilli to your preferred level of heat.
- For added visual presentation and sizzle, serve on a sizzling plate.
Why The Combo Works?
The herbal and citrus flavours of the lemongrass Collins are ideally complemented by the crispy, savoury, and somewhat spicy fried tofu sisig. Meanwhile, the effervescent soda water cuts through the richness and provides a counterpoint to the flavours of the sisig. A great appetiser to pair with any gathering!
Lemongrass Sour Cocktail With Gang Gai Khao Mun
The acidity of lemon juice blends well with the herbaceous lemongrass, and the egg white gives a silky smooth texture. The whisky provides a layer, giving it a refined, somewhat smoky aftertaste. The guest will tag you every time someone asks them to post a memorable gathering, for sure!
How to Make It:
15 ml whiskey
30 ml lemongrass syrup
15 ml lemon juice
15 ml egg white
Step-By-Step Guide:
- To make foam, briskly shake the whisky, lemon juice, lemongrass syrup and egg white without ice.
- Shake once more with ice until chilled.
- Strain into a coupe glass and add a lemongrass stem as a garnish.
Thai chicken rice, also known as Gang Gai Khao Mun, is a hearty dish that combines fragrant jasmine rice cooked in chicken fat with soft poached chicken. The accompanying ginger-infused sauce enhances the flavour of the chicken, which is rich and savoury.
Tips To Make The Dish At Home
- To add more flavour and softness, use chicken thighs.
- It makes all the difference; therefore, don't omit the chicken fat from the rice.
- For added crunch and freshness, serve with cucumber slices on the side.
Why The Combo Works?
The acidity and herbal depth of the Lemongrass Sour perfectly balance the rich, savoury flavours of Gang Gai Khao Mun. The smooth texture of the egg white in the drink complements the chicken. A splendid pairing with flavours so crisp that the spread is brightened instantly.
Lemongrass and Ginger Cocktail With Sinigang Na Hipon
With a zesty citrus note from the lemongrass and a spicy taste from the ginger, the lemongrass and ginger cocktail is very flavourful. A fantastic cocktail for spicy, robust foods like Sinigang Na Hipon.
How to Make It:
30 ml rum
20 ml lemongrass syrup
15 ml ginger juice
10 ml soda water
Step-By-Step Guide:
- Put the ginger juice, lemongrass syrup, and rum in an ice-filled shaker.
- Give it a good shake, then strain it into a glass filled with ice.
- Pour soda water on top and add a slice of ginger as a garnish.
The flavour and preparation of Sinigang Na Hipon, a Filipino prawn soup, are renowned for its tamarind-based acidic, savoury broth. The best part? The prawn is soft and absorbs the rich flavours of the long beans, radish and tomatoes in the broth.
Tips To Make The Dish At Home
- Add the shrimp, radish, tomatoes, and tamarind to the water and simmer until the shrimp are soft.
- For a more genuine taste, use fresh tamarind or tamarind paste.
- You can add additional tamarind or a little lime to suit your preferred level of sourness.
Why The Combo Works?
The crisp, herbal aromas of the lemongrass and ginger drink offer a welcome counterpoint to the rich, savoury broth of the Sinigang Na Hipon. The cocktail's sweetness balances the tamarind's sourness.
Lemongrass & Tonic Cocktail With Pancit Miki Bihon
The crisp taste of tonic water and the tangy, citrusy flavour of lemongrass combine to create a light cocktail. It is the ideal aperitif before a substantial meal because the gin gives an understated richness.
How to Make It:
15 ml gin
30 ml lemongrass syrup
Top with tonic water
Step-By-Step Guide:
- Fill an ice-filled tumbler with gin and lemongrass syrup.
- Add tonic water on top and mix gently.
- Add a lime wheel or a stalk of lemongrass as a garnish.
Pancit Miki Bihon is a stir-fried Filipino noodle dish that blends two kinds of noodles: miki (egg noodles) and bihon (thin rice noodles). Made with chicken, prawns and vegetables including carrots and cabbage, the meal has a savoury and flavourful taste. For richness, it's frequently seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, and a little sesame oil.
Tips To Make The Dish At Home
- Add cooked miki noodles and bihon, adding more broth if necessary to keep the mixture wet.
- For the ideal texture mix, use both egg noodles and rice noodles.
- If you like your food saltier, add extra fish sauce or soy sauce.
Why The Combo Works?
The mild citrussy tones of the lemongrass add brightness to the dish, while the tanginess of the tonic water cuts through the rich flavours of the stir-fried noodles.
Lemongrass Gimlet Cocktail With Singaporean Chilli Crab
The bright, citrusy punch from the lime wonderfully balances the lemongrass in this herbaceous lemongrass gimlet. The hint of sweetness counterbalances the tartness and the gin.
How to Make It:
15 ml gin
30 ml lemongrass syrup
15 ml lime juice
Step-By-Step Guide:
- Add the lime juice, lemongrass syrup, and gin and shake with ice.
- Pour through a strainer into a chilled coupe glass.
- Add a lime twist or a lemongrass stem as a garnish.
Singaporean chilli crab is a robust meal distinguished by its savoury, thick sauce composed of crab, tomato, chilli, and garlic. While the crab meat is delicate, the sauce is rich, acidic, and spicy, making for a flavourful experience.
Tips To Make The Dish At Home
- For optimal flavour, use fresh crab, but frozen will also work.
- Depending on how much spice you can handle, adjust the chilli.
- Serve with fried mantou buns so that the flavourful sauce may be soaked up.
Why The Combo Works?
The crisp, clear flavours of the lemongrass gimlet balance the thick sauce of the Singaporean chilli crab. The gin lends elegance that contrasts well with the flavours of the seafood.
Summing Up…
The favourite flavour pairing above denotes that a drink with lemongrass infusions can reduce the spiciness of spicy foods without sacrificing their flavour. Additionally, adding lemongrass to soups or marinades gives them more character. Therefore, the next time you're preparing a spicy meal, serve it with a drink made with lemongrass; this will provide balance and a full-circle flavour experience!
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide To Growing And Using Lemongrass In Drinks
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
