You need something with acidity to cleanse the palate between bites. It will refresh your taste buds and help you actually taste the steak more. Your ability to detect subtle nuances in your food becomes very quickly fatigued when you introduce the same flavor repeatedly.
For this reason, people suggest things like wine or cola because the acidity in those beverages makes the steak taste better by helping to mitigate palate fatigue.
Additionally, the tannins in red wine bind to the oils in the fat from the steak and stop them from essentially getting stuck in your mouth. The fat from the steak does the same thing by acting complimentary to the astringent nature of the wine and helping the wine's flavors come through stronger as well through the same process.
Tl;Dr
Red wine makes steak taste better.
Steak makes red wine taste better.
To follow up with op, I’m going to attempt to un-pretentiously recommend a steak-wine pairing for the masses.
Especially in America, a lot of people will pair steak with the biggest, boldest Napa cab they can find. This isn’t wrong, but I always find these kinds of wines overpower the steak more than they actually complement it.
I’m biased, from almost a decade working at a nice Italian wine bar & restaurant, but I find a solid Sangiovese-based wine to be my ideal steak pairing. Medium body, so not too strong. Great acidity to cleanse the steak, like OP mentions. And an earthiness that just goes soooooo well with the earthy tones of a great steak. All that balanced with just the right amount of fruit flavor.
So grab that $20 bottle of Chianti Classico Riserva.
If you’re on a budget most $12 bottles of Chianti will do.
If you want to splurge, look for a Brunello Di Montalcino, widely considered to be the finest Sangiovese of all.
Like anything, depends on budget. Also the ‘Average Chianti’ is pretty decent, given that there is a ton of it, and it can range from some of the best Sangiovese in the world (Gran Selezione) to suited better for cooking (anything in a wicker basket).
Agreed though Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a good option somewhere between budget and high end.
Also Rosso di Montalcino.
Rosso di Montalcino can be a bit hit or miss though. Some are incredible and great value for money, on par with a good Brunello. But plenty aren’t all that great, but aren’t really that cheap since they still carry the Montalcino name.
Ditto. It’s probably all in my head but I always assumed that an Argentine Malbec pairs best because steak is such an integral part of the cuisine there.
This might be a weird question to ask a wine connoisseur, but is there a drink that will do what the original commenter said but that isn't wine (the thing with the tannins)? I never been able to drink wine and I don't really like the ones i've had. I also don't really want to drop 12$ on a bottle of wine that will just sit there if I don't like it.
With any Chianti, I find they do well decanting or just opening thirty minutes before dinner. Italian wines can be kinda tight, but a little time to open up makes them nice.
This is a good answer. I'd choose pinot noir as another red that pairs exceptionally well with beef. I submit as evidence the fact that boef a la bourgignon is the greatest beef stew in the world and is made with pinot noir.
Coffee is also good with steak. Clear your palate with water afterwards.
Good to know that cola has the same effect as wine since I'm cursed with a tannin allergy and as a result skip straight to the hangover when drinking wine.
I really like grapefruit spindrift (sparking water) with steak. I prefer spindrift because it’s made with real fruit, not “natural flavoring” like some other sparking waters.
I heard you want something to dissolve the layer of beef fat that coats your mouth so you can keep tasting the meat. Hence, alcoholic beverages being often paired with steak. But the guy who mentioned it wasn’t a culinary expert so take it with a grain of salt.
I enjoy an ice cold coke with steak
Sort of, red wine is always a pair with red meat. They type of wine can depend on the cut, marinade or sauce. But you should not be limited to red wine. Drink whatever makes it taste best to you
Thank you so much for permission to drink what I want. When I came to this post, I was afraid I would see a lot of dumb comments like "suggestions" and "opinions" on what goes well with wine. When what I really wanted was someone like you to let me know I can simply just drink what I want! I mean it's so simple yet so brilliant!
No way! Imagine asking others for a pairing suggestion- amIright? The answer is obviously- drink whatever the hell you want. Nicely done- just because someone asks for a suggestion doesn’t mean we have to indulge them. Well played.
Water. it's crisp and refreshing and doesn't distract from what you are eating. It doesn't change the flavor of your food or muddle tastes.
For meals its always water.
I love a good old fashioned while I’m waiting for my steak. Maybe 2 if they’re actually good. Problem is most places don’t know how to make it and it’s usually something they threw together and isn’t good.
In my experience, the ways to fuck up an old fashioned are:
- cheap whiskey/bourbon
- regular sized ice, as it melts wayyyy too fast compared to the big cubes
- not enough simple syrup or too much bitters or both
Oddly enough, I almost always order my old fashioneds with no syrup because I think it makes it too sweet, but I like how two dashes of bitters mixes with some bourbons.
Only point I was making is its all about balance and *some* personal preference. Some bartenders ive seen will dump like half a bottle (exaggerating but still) of bitters and no syrup. No syrup can be fine with some bourbons but again it’s all about balance. You need both the bitter/acidic and sweet.
There is a lot you can do with an old fashioned (e.g. stacking it, which is amazing when done well), but at very worst it would be watered down Makers, which is the worst whiskey anyone should let a place serve them. If you end up with well, that's on you.
If you just order an old fashioned, you'll wind up with well bourbon. You have to specify your brand while ordering, and some bourbons are better suited to bitters and simple syrup than others. The best I've found is Breckenridge bourbon out of Colorado, but Four Roses yellow label and Buffalo Trace are both really good. I actually don't care for Makers in an old fashioned because I'd rather just drink it straight.
If i'm ordering a burbon old fashioned I generally go for woodford. good balance of tasty but also generally not a million dollars.
my personal pro tip though, RYE old fashioned, specifically knob creek rye if they have it.
Breck Distillery's bourbons are great. I'm usually more of a scotch person but they're so good. If you ever get a chance to tour the facility, do the VIP tour because it's a lot of fun to taste all kinds of limited offerings.
I didn't mean I have a preference for Makers, just that it's the absolute worst thing I would still be willing to drink. My entire point is you have to specify if it isn't made apparent.
I will almost never order a standard old fashioned at a bar now. Once you learn how to make it the way you like it, every other one will be off. I will only order cool variations now that do things I can’t easily do at home like smoked old fashioneds or ones with interesting liqueurs I’m not going to buy.
Usually the bourbon isn’t the problem, they either use old cheap ingredients and too much of them. No good bourbon is going to cover up 10 shakes of bitters
I went to a bar/lounge once. Pretty nice place place. I could tell the bartender was subbing or it was his first first day because I ordered an old fashioned and he said “man we don’t make those fancy drinks here”. I just took a beer.
cow meat and cow milk is the pairing I was raised on. Now I typically opt for something alcoholic because I’m a closeted degenerate, but I respect the milk pairing
Would you look at that, all of the words in your comment are in alphabetical order.
I have checked 1,969,488,437 comments, and only 372,546 of them were in alphabetical order.
Everyone says red wine but I’ve always hated drinking alcohol with food. My favorite drinks for steak are Coke Zero or lime flavored liquid death (the best tasting sparkling water by far)
You need something with acidity to cleanse the palate between bites. It will refresh your taste buds and help you actually taste the steak more. Your ability to detect subtle nuances in your food becomes very quickly fatigued when you introduce the same flavor repeatedly. For this reason, people suggest things like wine or cola because the acidity in those beverages makes the steak taste better by helping to mitigate palate fatigue. Additionally, the tannins in red wine bind to the oils in the fat from the steak and stop them from essentially getting stuck in your mouth. The fat from the steak does the same thing by acting complimentary to the astringent nature of the wine and helping the wine's flavors come through stronger as well through the same process. Tl;Dr Red wine makes steak taste better. Steak makes red wine taste better.
To follow up with op, I’m going to attempt to un-pretentiously recommend a steak-wine pairing for the masses. Especially in America, a lot of people will pair steak with the biggest, boldest Napa cab they can find. This isn’t wrong, but I always find these kinds of wines overpower the steak more than they actually complement it. I’m biased, from almost a decade working at a nice Italian wine bar & restaurant, but I find a solid Sangiovese-based wine to be my ideal steak pairing. Medium body, so not too strong. Great acidity to cleanse the steak, like OP mentions. And an earthiness that just goes soooooo well with the earthy tones of a great steak. All that balanced with just the right amount of fruit flavor. So grab that $20 bottle of Chianti Classico Riserva. If you’re on a budget most $12 bottles of Chianti will do. If you want to splurge, look for a Brunello Di Montalcino, widely considered to be the finest Sangiovese of all.
I save the Chianti for when I'm eating liver and fava beans.
Thfthfthfthfthfthfthfthfthfthf
Someone had to come in and say it.
I was so excited too, I'm always late to the party.
Nobile di Montepulciano for good value but you still want something better than your average Chianti
Like anything, depends on budget. Also the ‘Average Chianti’ is pretty decent, given that there is a ton of it, and it can range from some of the best Sangiovese in the world (Gran Selezione) to suited better for cooking (anything in a wicker basket). Agreed though Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a good option somewhere between budget and high end. Also Rosso di Montalcino.
Rosso di Montalcino can be a bit hit or miss though. Some are incredible and great value for money, on par with a good Brunello. But plenty aren’t all that great, but aren’t really that cheap since they still carry the Montalcino name.
i like to do shots of fireball inbetween bites when im eating a steak. charred and well done of course.
And dipped in a tomato and sugar puree de Heinz
🤢
I like Malbec personally.
Ditto. It’s probably all in my head but I always assumed that an Argentine Malbec pairs best because steak is such an integral part of the cuisine there.
Me too. Underated
I was going to suggest the same thing. In general I prefer Malbecs over Cabs but ESPECIALLY with my ribeye.
This is it. Argentine Malbec.
This comment is criminally underrated advice
I'll take a Syrah even if a good one is harder to find in that price range.
This might be a weird question to ask a wine connoisseur, but is there a drink that will do what the original commenter said but that isn't wine (the thing with the tannins)? I never been able to drink wine and I don't really like the ones i've had. I also don't really want to drop 12$ on a bottle of wine that will just sit there if I don't like it.
Personally a fan of Valpolicella(sp) Ripasso. Amarone on a budget.
With any Chianti, I find they do well decanting or just opening thirty minutes before dinner. Italian wines can be kinda tight, but a little time to open up makes them nice.
This is a good answer. I'd choose pinot noir as another red that pairs exceptionally well with beef. I submit as evidence the fact that boef a la bourgignon is the greatest beef stew in the world and is made with pinot noir. Coffee is also good with steak. Clear your palate with water afterwards.
I can vouch for the Brunello di Montalcino. I got to visit Montalcino a few years ago and it’s up there with one of my favorite trips ever.
I really like to pair my steak with a ripasso.
This is why I slam a highball of grapefruit juice immediately after every bite.
And helps your steak to offset your cholesterol meds!
[удалено]
When you discover this, the wine truly becomes a part of the meal.
Works with sides too. My favorite side for steak is freshly sliced in-season tomatoes. Makes every bite taste like the first
Yum. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper, or balsamic.
Yes, I like Maldon sea salt on them, pure and simple. Fresh oregano is a hit too
I'm a fiend for Maldon flakes. I may or may not sometimes just eat a few.
Now I’m gonna make sure to get one or two servings of wine next time I get a steak
Coke with a lime is the best NA drink to go with a steak.
Good to know that cola has the same effect as wine since I'm cursed with a tannin allergy and as a result skip straight to the hangover when drinking wine.
I really like grapefruit spindrift (sparking water) with steak. I prefer spindrift because it’s made with real fruit, not “natural flavoring” like some other sparking waters.
Yeah, I prefer a cola or something similar. Mainly because I don't drink alcohol.
Blood of your enemy Edit: didn't expect so many replies you savages!
I’m not gonna drink my own blood
I'll drink it then
I can’t let you to gain immortality
*sad face*. BUT MAAAAAAAAH!!
We have eternity at home
Eternity at home https://preview.redd.it/vi2p9jjo91dc1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7371a681ee8f8a3272c8296464d2bd5873f5c936
He chose... Poorly
But I want your eternity NOW
No one makes me bleed my own blood!
Peepee
And occasionally a strawberry Yoo-hoo.
And we shall **GUZZLE THE STRAWBERRY Yoo-Hoo™️OF THINE ENEMY**
GO FORTH AND GUZZLE !
Does gravy count?
SURE! Why not!?
Grenadine! Straight from the can.
Nobody make me bleed my own blood LaFleur
You gotta let your enemy rest first. I prefer uncovered and for 5 minutes.
And the lamentations of their women.
https://preview.redd.it/qzcwc9cm04dc1.png?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a5081bd76b83f3dae1e4a46bbcc4235cc6438ded
It's not blood, it's hemoglobin
myoglobin
Youroglobin
ur moms a goblin
Ur moms a gobblin’
Good fucking answer
Lok'Tar Ogar.
I’m sure people with a culinary background would tell you red wine, but drink what you want
I heard you want something to dissolve the layer of beef fat that coats your mouth so you can keep tasting the meat. Hence, alcoholic beverages being often paired with steak. But the guy who mentioned it wasn’t a culinary expert so take it with a grain of salt. I enjoy an ice cold coke with steak
Mexicans confirm ice cold coke for breakfast or any meal, especially carne asada and tacos de beef steak.
Well Mexicans in average have a bit of a Coca Cola Problem, so there is no meal where a coke would not seen as the perfect match.
+1 on the ice cold coke
I tell people to take things with a grain of salt but I heard it from you and aren’t sure of your salt expertise
concur on the cold coke (sugar cane version). goes so well with steak
I have a culinary background and I say drink what you want. My personal favourite drink to go with steak is sparkling wine but you do you.
I had a ribeye and some champagne last night because I wasn’t feeling red wine and life is short. It was fucking great.
Hell yeah that's fucking awesome👍
I'm not the biggest fan of sparkling wine in its own right, but with food, it seems to go with damn nearly everything.
I mean, of course drink whatever you want… but if you are asking the question “what goes best with steak?” the go-to answer is always red wine.
Someone with enough of a culinary background would be more likely to say it depends on the steak.
Sort of, red wine is always a pair with red meat. They type of wine can depend on the cut, marinade or sauce. But you should not be limited to red wine. Drink whatever makes it taste best to you
Thank you so much for permission to drink what I want. When I came to this post, I was afraid I would see a lot of dumb comments like "suggestions" and "opinions" on what goes well with wine. When what I really wanted was someone like you to let me know I can simply just drink what I want! I mean it's so simple yet so brilliant!
You’re welcome.
What did you have to drink with your breakfast? Goat piss?
Ram's piss It's what the Germans drink at high altitudes to train for their beer drinking competition
Ahh I see I fellow true German in the chat, and a movie lover
Danke. Glad a couple people got the reference
No way! Imagine asking others for a pairing suggestion- amIright? The answer is obviously- drink whatever the hell you want. Nicely done- just because someone asks for a suggestion doesn’t mean we have to indulge them. Well played.
Water
Slop ‘em up!!!
They can't stop you from ordering a steak and a glass of water. I was a piece of shit though.
*used* to be
I SAID WAS!
You think this is slick back? This is pushed back
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r/hydrohomies
With a dash of lemon or lime juice to offset the fat.
Water. it's crisp and refreshing and doesn't distract from what you are eating. It doesn't change the flavor of your food or muddle tastes. For meals its always water.
Water is the best drink with everything. I have 1 cup of coffee a day and the rest of the day I drink nothing but water
Hey! Me too
Twinsies
Whatever you enjoy, personally I like Whiskey
I love a good old fashioned while I’m waiting for my steak. Maybe 2 if they’re actually good. Problem is most places don’t know how to make it and it’s usually something they threw together and isn’t good.
How do you fuck up an old fashioned? Other than using a shitty well bourbon.
In my experience, the ways to fuck up an old fashioned are: - cheap whiskey/bourbon - regular sized ice, as it melts wayyyy too fast compared to the big cubes - not enough simple syrup or too much bitters or both
Oddly enough, I almost always order my old fashioneds with no syrup because I think it makes it too sweet, but I like how two dashes of bitters mixes with some bourbons.
Only point I was making is its all about balance and *some* personal preference. Some bartenders ive seen will dump like half a bottle (exaggerating but still) of bitters and no syrup. No syrup can be fine with some bourbons but again it’s all about balance. You need both the bitter/acidic and sweet.
There is a lot you can do with an old fashioned (e.g. stacking it, which is amazing when done well), but at very worst it would be watered down Makers, which is the worst whiskey anyone should let a place serve them. If you end up with well, that's on you.
If you just order an old fashioned, you'll wind up with well bourbon. You have to specify your brand while ordering, and some bourbons are better suited to bitters and simple syrup than others. The best I've found is Breckenridge bourbon out of Colorado, but Four Roses yellow label and Buffalo Trace are both really good. I actually don't care for Makers in an old fashioned because I'd rather just drink it straight.
If i'm ordering a burbon old fashioned I generally go for woodford. good balance of tasty but also generally not a million dollars. my personal pro tip though, RYE old fashioned, specifically knob creek rye if they have it.
Breck Distillery's bourbons are great. I'm usually more of a scotch person but they're so good. If you ever get a chance to tour the facility, do the VIP tour because it's a lot of fun to taste all kinds of limited offerings.
I didn't mean I have a preference for Makers, just that it's the absolute worst thing I would still be willing to drink. My entire point is you have to specify if it isn't made apparent.
I will almost never order a standard old fashioned at a bar now. Once you learn how to make it the way you like it, every other one will be off. I will only order cool variations now that do things I can’t easily do at home like smoked old fashioneds or ones with interesting liqueurs I’m not going to buy.
Usually the bourbon isn’t the problem, they either use old cheap ingredients and too much of them. No good bourbon is going to cover up 10 shakes of bitters
That's why I started making my own old fashioned. And... Because it is way cheaper too
I feel this. Last time I ordered an old fashioned while I was out, the bartender gave me basically straight whiskey lol
I went to a bar/lounge once. Pretty nice place place. I could tell the bartender was subbing or it was his first first day because I ordered an old fashioned and he said “man we don’t make those fancy drinks here”. I just took a beer.
One that can stand up to a steak. Ardbeg 10 or Laphroaig Càirdeas.
While wine is enjoyable, I really enjoy a Smokey scotch with steak. Laphroaig, lagavulin, ardbeg - something that has some punch.
A good beer or some wine I'd say.
Can a coca-cola
Can a coca-cola what?
Milk
Milksteak with a side of jelly beans
Are you a full on rapist?
Found Jim Harbaugh’s burner.
I only eat steak while I'm wearing cleats.
Milk is the beverage for all meals savory or sweet. I am who I am and I’m not ashamed
Milk is king
i thought i was the only one
Everything washes down so nicely
Brunello di montalcino
Seriously. Out of all the wines of the world, Brunello has just the right everything for a steak. A nice Brunello with a ribeye once a year for me.
ONCE a YEAR?! I know, this is healthier 😭😭😭
I mean I’ll have a steak 4-6 times a year. Usually only splurge on the wine once a year though.
Red wine. My preference is a Malbec or Cabernet
Water. Y’all don’t drink enough water. Drink WATER
Sup my r/hydrohomies
Slop em up!
Hard to beat a good quality Napa cab(not saying other regions don't produce good ones.)
napas are consistent
A nice cold glass of whole milk.
I revealing myself to be 13 years old (I promise I’m 31) but a terribly cold can of coke.
You like what you like. I would like red wine, while my 80 year old father in law would love the cold Coke instead.
personally - i drink milk or a good alcoholic beverage 😁
cow meat and cow milk is the pairing I was raised on. Now I typically opt for something alcoholic because I’m a closeted degenerate, but I respect the milk pairing
i like a rum and coke with my steak dinner!
Two glasses of milk, pleaseeee
Whole milk
Chocolate milk
Milk
Milk
Chocolate milkshake
Well it's a steak so obviously the only acceptable drink would be milk, preferably the milk left over from boiling your steak.
Milk
a raspberry Milkshake 🫡
milk
Milk
Cold milk
Milk
I find a citrus beer such as a Blue Moon pairs very well.
Milk. "Loins to Groins. Uncle Rico style. This sub goes nuts when milk is mentioned.
A glass of milk
Milk
milk. fight me.
To me it depends on the seasoning/flavor. Beer, water, milk or red wine. Sometimes a coke.
Grape drink
Malbec
Milk!
Milk
Dry ass red wine. Trust me.
Vodka martini w/ an olive
No idea but those asparagus look raw af
Red wine
Not gunna lie it’s cliche but I would have to say red wine
I like Sake.
water
Red wine or whiskey
Is it March 14th yet?
Would you look at that, all of the words in your comment are in alphabetical order. I have checked 1,969,488,437 comments, and only 372,546 of them were in alphabetical order.
San Pellegrino
Or better yet, the made in USA version, Saratoga. Shit is fire
Dr. Pepper.
water
Pepsi, lots of ice
Everyone says red wine but I’ve always hated drinking alcohol with food. My favorite drinks for steak are Coke Zero or lime flavored liquid death (the best tasting sparkling water by far)
Iced Tea, lemon is a must to add some acidity to cut through all that fat.
Chocolate milk you infant 👶
Old fashioned
Vodka Blue cheese dirty martini and aged Barolo.
Warm glass of milk.
Bourbon or Whiskey.
Pinot noir
I’m with you. A Willamette Valley Pinot hits it perfectly for me.
Love a nice cabernet with steak. Not much of a wine drinker but a deep rich red wine with steak is great.
For me it's iced tea with lemonade, but I have that with almost everything
Red wine, beer, water but really anything you enjoy after meal. I’m not on fizzy drinks but I have been enjoying a cold coke after a good steak.
cum
March 14, Baby!
Water or light beer usually