5 Low Alcohol Content Drinks To Match Your Weekday Dinner Spread
When pairing drinks with a dinner spread, matching flavour profiles of light cocktails with special dishes or richer food can be a great way to offer a memorably hosted gathering. Think acidity to balance fats, sweetness to soften spice and carbonation to provide crispness. Aligning a drink’s finish with a dish’s inherent character maintains balance over the course of the entire meal, avoiding flavours that clash with core ingredients.
5 Low Alcohol Content Drinks To Pair Weekday Dinner Event
1. Citrus Spritz Cocktail
The citrus spritz offers a crisp, zesty profile with mild bitterness - a blend of citrus juice and dry white wine creates a bright taste, while soda water mellows the acidity. This drink is light and ideal for balancing mild flavours or summery dishes and is well-paired with salads or sides.
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 15 ml white wine
- 15 ml orange juice
- 15 ml soda water
- Orange slice, for garnish
- Ice cubes
Method
- Pour all ingredients into a wine glass filled with ice and stir gently to combine.
- Add an orange slice as a garnish; serve immediately.
2. Cucumber Fizz Cocktail
The cucumber fizz cocktail has a subtle herbal undertone with a soft, aromatic taste. The tonic water’s bitterness elevates the flavour balance with a distinct crispness - acting as a palate cleanser when paired with mild dishes.
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 15 ml champagne
- 15 ml cucumber juice
- 15 ml tonic water
- Cucumber ribbon, for garnish
- Ice cubes
Method
- Add cucumber juice and champagne to a chilled tall glass.
- Top up with tonic water and add a cucumber ribbon as garnish before serving.
3. Ginger Lime Cooler
Spicy, tangy and slightly sweet, the rum-infused beverage makes a great choice for grilled or roasted vegetables, meats and seafood. The ginger syrup adds a zing as well as a slight sweetness, balanced by the lime for a flexible pairing.
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 15 ml rum
- 15 ml ginger syrup
- 15 ml lime juice
- 15 ml soda water, to top up
- Lime wedge, for garnish
- Ice cubes
Method
- Add the ginger syrup, rum and lime juice into a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously before straining and top up with soda water.
- Add a lime wedge for garnish and serve.
4. Berry Rose Fizz Cocktail
The berry rose fizz combines gentle floral undertones with bright berry notes for a light and flavoursome drink. The rosé wine contributes a dry, aromatic base, while mixed berry juice adds sweetness and subtle tartness. The drink is replete with fruit and floral accents and pairs well with light snacks, soft cheeses or desserts with fruit components.
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 15 ml rosé wine
- 15 ml mixed berry juice
- 15 ml sparkling water
- Mint leaves, for garnish
- Ice cubes
Method
- Pour all the ingredients into a glass filled with ice.
- Stir gently and place a few mint leaves on top as a garnish.
5. Apple Thyme Highball Cocktail
The apple thyme highball offers a layered flavour that is mild and distinctive. Apple cider introduces sweetness, while apple juice contributes tartness. The thyme garnish releases a subtle herbal aroma that amplifies the drink’s complexity without masking it. It is particularly well-suited to dishes with roasted or grain-based components.
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 10 ml rum
- 10 ml apple cider
- 10 ml apple juice
- 10 ml soda water
- Thyme sprig, for garnish
- Ice cubes
Method
- Stir apple cider, apple juice and soda water in a highball glass with ice.
- Place a thyme sprig on top as a garnish before serving.
*Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
