Chicken Rezala For Weekend Feasting: Best Drinks To Pair With This Bengali Classic
Chicken rezala is a Bengali Mughlai curry dish featuring slow-cooked chicken in a pale white gravy made from yoghurt, ground cashew nuts, and white poppy seeds. The sauce is enriched with ghee and flavoured using whole spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and white pepper.
Traditional recipes for chicken rezala avoid turmeric and red chilli powder to maintain the dish’s taste and light colour. White onions or onion paste provide body, while kewra water or rose essence adds a subtle fragrance. Served with paratha or fragrant rice, chicken rezala offers a creamy, mildly spiced curry variation that is both rich and balanced in flavour.
But Bengali food enthusiasts and considerate home hosts know that the addition of a few drinks with classic dishes can always ensure a more rounded-off and well-crafted menu. But can one pair chicken rezala with drinks? Yes!
Why Chicken Rezala Pairs Well With Cocktails And Mocktails?
- Since chicken rezala avoids red chilli powder, it allows subtler flavours in cocktails and mocktails to come through clearly. This makes flavour-based pairings more balanced.
- The use of whole spices and floral elements in chicken rezala complements cocktails that contain botanical notes or fresh herbs, creating a layered taste.
- The neutral yet aromatic profile of chicken rezala works equally well with vodka-based cocktails, gin infusions, or fruit-forward mocktails, making it ideal for mixed drink menus or varied preferences.
Cocktail And Mocktail Suggestions To Serve With Chicken Rezala
Gimlet Cocktail
The gimlet cocktail delivers a bright lime flavour balanced by the smoothness of gin. Slightly tart with sweetness, it has a crisp texture and a distinct finish.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
- 15 ml gin
- 30 ml fresh lime juice
- 15 ml sugar syrup
- Ice cubes
- Lime wheel, for garnish
Method
- Shake gin, lime juice, and sugar syrup with ice until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe or martini cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and serve immediately.
Blue Lagoon Cocktail
The blue lagoon cocktail is vibrant with a sweet, citrus-forward profile. The combination of vodka, orange liqueur, and lemon juice creates a zesty flavour with a tropical note. Its electric blue colour improves presentation, while the crisp profile makes it popular for weekend settings.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
- 15 ml vodka
- 15 ml blue curaçao
- 30 ml lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slice, for garnish
Method
- Pour vodka, blue curaçao, and lemon juice into an ice-filled shaker.
- Shake until chilled and strain into a highball glass with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and serve.
Pineapple Lemonade Mocktail
The mocktail is tropical, tart, and mildly sweet. Pineapple adds fruitiness, while lemon juice gives it a citrusy edge. Balanced with soda or water for lightness, it is served chilled with mildly spiced dishes.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
- 30 ml pineapple juice
- 30 ml fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml sugar syrup
- 30 ml soda water
- Ice cubes
- Pineapple wedge, for garnish
Method
- Combine pineapple juice, lemon juice, and sugar syrup in a shaker with ice.
- Shake gently, then strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with soda water and garnish with a pineapple wedge.
*Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
