Tandoori Chicken Deserves More Than Your Regular Whisky Soda
Grilling chicken or meat in the tandoor is one of the classic culinary techniques common to Indian kitchens. In fact, tandoori chicken has endured as a favourite among many gastronomes for its smoky and spicy tasting notes. The char on the flavorful, marinated chicken after it is brought out of the tandoor is one synonymous with some of the finest culinary methods which are all about perfectly cooking pieces of chicken on the bone until they become soft and succulent.
Most often than not, such perfectly cooked tandoori chicken served with a spicy kachumber salad and a lime wedge is paired with a simple whisky soda highball whose smoky notes match the complimentary flavours of this appetiser. The effervescence of the soda also undercuts some of the spiciness of the chicken to provide a textural balance in the pairing.
However, along with whisky soda, there are certain other cocktails too, complete with tart, sour and acidic notes which can pair well with tandoori chicken. These couplings are a sheer imaginative exploration of the culinary and mixology possibilities involved in bringing together tandoori chicken with diverse blends and their complex flavours.
Read on below to know more about some of the cocktails other than whisky soda that can be paired with perfectly cooked tandoori chicken:
Smoked Tamarind Margarita
One cocktail which would go well with a spicy tandoori chicken in a way that brings out the different complex flavours of the two elements is a smoked tamarind margarita. Made using 30 ml Don Julio Blanco Tequila or any other premium tequila of choice, the cocktail can be given a tangy touch with the addition of tamarind syrup. The smoky depth in the drink which would come from a smoked salt rim would match the charred finish of the chicken, serving as a complementary pairing with this favoured appetiser.
Classic Moscow Mule
Out of the different spirits used for making cocktails, vodka with its crisp and clear profile is perhaps one of the more malleable. This is because vodka can be blended with diverse mixers to produce drinks that contain a variety of flavours which are suitable pairings with a number of smoky, spicy and charred culinary fares. Use 30 ml of Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice to craft a classic moscow mule, and add to it 60 ml frothy ginger beer to introduce spicy and zingy notes that compliment the smoky and earthy flavours of the tandoori chicken.
Coriander Infused Gin And Tonic
A slightly crisp and savoury take on the classic gin and tonic recipe, this coriander infused cocktail will carry an herbaceous and lightly aromatic and spicy touch which would be an interesting pairing with the umami and charred flavours of tandoori chicken. Prepare the gin and tonic using 30 ml Tanqueray No. 10 Gin or any other premium gin of choice along with muddled coriander leaves so it becomes a suitable crisp and herbaceous alternative for pairing with spicy, grilled chicken.
Mango Whisky Sour
Complete with a slightly sweet and tangy flavour composition, a mango whisky sour prepared using 30 ml Johnnie Walker Black Label or any other premium whisky of choice can be your go to cocktail for pairing with charred tandoori chicken. The sweetness and acidity of the drink will cut through the spicy notes of the chicken appetiser to deliver a stellar mix of contrasting flavour notes.
Citrus And Berry-Infused Punch
One of the more interesting fruity accompaniments with tandoori chicken, punch made using 30 ml Captain Morgan Dark Rum or any other premium rum of choice and different citrus fruits and berries will contain a tangy and aromatic finish which would work as a light contrast with the smoky flavours of tandoori chicken. Garnish the drink with orange slices to lend it a colour pop and a layer of tart and sour notes that balance out the smokiness of the chicken.
Also Read: Case Cracked! 5 Cocktails That Actually Go Well With Chicken Chilli
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
