Cocktails are usually not a benchmark for a sushi night. Sake is the traditional accompaniment for a variety of reasons, including its lower ABV and relatively mild flavor, but that doesn't mean you can't pair a cocktail with your spicy salmon and tuna sashimi dish.
Cocktails are often difficult to pair with sushi because many tend to be too sweet. The sweetness of cocktails does not go well with sushi, if something is too sweet, it will kill the taste of the fish and is not recommended. So maybe avoid the Piña Colada.
But we have some recommendations for ingredients that make cocktails more sushi-friendly. Here, we share tips on choosing the drinks that will complement your favorite sushi orders.
Acid cocktails
Sushi is basically a combination of a protein rich in fatty oils and rice with rice vinegar, so you really need something with a high acid content to arrive. We recommend cocktails that contain ingredients like citrus and sherry: Sherry goes very well with sushi. The acidity level really breaks through the fat and brings out the sweetness of the fish.
Recommended cocktails:
- Sherry Cobbler
- Sour Cocktails
Umami-rich cocktails
Instead of ordering a sweet or bitter drink that contrasts with the fish, it is better to use the flavors of the fish as a guide. Top a plate of umami sushi with an umami cocktail. Try using ingredients like rice vinegar, salt, and clamate to mirror the flavors of some dishes.
Recommended cocktails:
- Bloody Caesar
- Margarita (with salty rim)
- Dirty Martini
Cocktail made from Japanese ingredients
If you're in a sushi restaurant that has a cocktail menu, it's a "safe approach" to choose a cocktail that uses Japanese ingredients like yuzu, which goes well with anything, and ginger, which, like pickled ginger on the side of your sushi dish, serves as a cleanser for the palate. Shiso is another great ingredient to keep an eye on, to use instead of herbs like mint.
Recommended cocktails:
- Maki Mary
- Shiso Bourbon
- Shishito Pepper Caipirinha
Whiskey and rum cocktail with mackerel
The whiskey is aged in barrels, so it has a smoky flavor, is super concentrated, so it goes more with fish from the mackerel family. That calcium that alcohol has, once you eat the fish after the whiskey, it will bring out the sweeter flavors of the fish. Also, it's best to get a Japanese whiskey, and rum works well with mackerel too for the same reasons.
Recommended cocktails:
- Manhattan
- Presbyterian
- Daiquiri
- Japanese Highball
Gin cocktail with tuna, salmon, shellfish and clams
The herbaceous flavors of gin pair very well with tuna and salmon and even clams. Prefer gin with a light flavor that works well with everything from super fat salmon and tuna to whitefish and beyond.
Recommended cocktails:
- Gin & Tonic
- Southside (with shiso instead of mint)
- Tom Collins
- Gin Rickey
Mezcal and tequila cocktail with shrimp and oysters
What makes mezcal unique is the smoke and those herbaceous notes: it really elevates the flavor of sushi and works with items like fried oyster sushi or shrimp. The beauty of mezcal is that you have that sour taste, a little freshness and smoke, but you also have a little more depth. The level of acidity in mezcal cocktails is also a bit higher, because mezcal can support mixing with more citrus fruits.
Recommended cocktails:
- Margarita
- Firewood Ice
- Neon Espadin
Champagne and vodka
One of the best ways to ensure that you end up with a cocktail that will enhance your sushi is to stick to a reliable, neutral base spirit like vodka. Vodka goes well with all kinds of sushi. If you just want to make something mixed, like a martini, you can add flavors of myoga ginger or ginger beer. It is very refreshing and will cut the sushi.
Another excellent pairing for sushi is Champagne: it is a little richer and a little more sensual than other wines. Choose a Brut or something dry to avoid the risk of contrasting the flavor of your sushi too much. Ultimately it's about finding a balanced drink that doesn't overwhelm the palate or the fish.
Recommended cocktails:
- Vodka Martini
- Moscow Mule
- French 75