Perfect Cocktail Pairings with Sweetbriar’s Menu
At Sweetbriar, where wood-fired flavors and sophisticated comfort food take center stage, finding the perfect cocktail to complement your meal can enhance your dining experience. Whether you’re indulging in a casual meal or celebrating a special occasion, pairing the right drink with Sweetbriar’s delicious dishes can elevate your taste buds to new heights. Below, we’ve highlighted some of Sweetbriar’s standout menu items and paired them with cocktails that will complement the flavors of each dish.
1. Wood Fired Spinach Dip & Negroni
Dish: Sweetbriar’s Wood Fired Spinach Dip served with grilled bread offers a rich, creamy start to your meal.
Pairing: The Negroni—with its bold, bitter notes of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth—balances the creamy and earthy flavors of the spinach dip. The bitterness of the cocktail cuts through the richness of the dish, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Negroni Recipe:
1 oz gin
1 oz Campari
1 oz sweet vermouth
Stir with ice, strain into a rocks glass, and garnish with an orange twist.
2. East Coast Oysters & Aperol Spritz
Dish: Fresh East Coast Oysters with a Szechuan mignonette are the perfect light and briny appetizer.
Pairing: The Aperol Spritz offers a refreshing and slightly sweet counterpoint to the oysters. Its citrus and herbal notes from the Aperol combined with the effervescence of prosecco create a light and bubbly accompaniment that enhances the delicate flavors of the oysters.
Aperol Spritz Recipe:
3 oz prosecco
2 oz Aperol
1 oz soda water
Serve over ice in a wine glass and garnish with an orange slice.
3. Fried Broccoli with Calabrian Aioli & Whiskey Sour
Dish: The crispy Fried Broccoli served with a tangy Calabrian aioli combines rich textures with a slight kick.
Pairing: A classic Whiskey Sour complements the bold flavors of the Calabrian aioli, with its tangy citrus and smooth whiskey cutting through the richness of the fried broccoli. The balance of sweet and sour in the cocktail brings out the depth of flavors in the dish.
Whiskey Sour Recipe:
2 oz bourbon
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Shake with ice, strain into a rocks glass, and garnish with a cherry or lemon twist.
4. Grilled Maitake with Ricotta Gnocchi & Old Fashioned
Dish: Sweetbriar’s Grilled Maitake mushrooms with ricotta gnocchi and guanciale is a decadent, umami-rich dish.
Pairing: The savory earthiness of the maitake pairs beautifully with the deep, smoky notes of an Old Fashioned. The cocktail’s combination of whiskey, sugar, and bitters highlights the rich flavors of the grilled mushrooms and creamy ricotta gnocchi.
Old Fashioned Recipe:
2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
1 sugar cube or 1/2 tsp simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Muddle the sugar and bitters in an Old Fashioned glass, add ice, pour whiskey over, and garnish with an orange twist.
5. Salmon with Tomato Curry & Coconut Vin & Smoky Margarita
Dish: The Grilled Salmon with tomato curry and coconut vinaigrette is a flavorful dish that combines spice with the subtle sweetness of coconut.
Pairing: A Smoky Margarita made with mezcal adds a smoky layer to the complex flavors of the tomato curry. The citrus and agave in the Margarita provide a refreshing contrast to the spice, while the mezcal’s smokiness enhances the grilled elements of the dish.
Smoky Margarita Recipe:
2 oz mezcal
1 oz lime juice
1 oz triple sec
Shake with ice, strain into a glass rimmed with salt, and garnish with a lime wheel.
6. 10oz Hanger Steak with Sunchoke & Broccolini & Manhattan
Dish: The 10oz Hanger Steak served with sunchoke and broccolini is a hearty, savory entrée perfect for meat lovers.
Pairing: A Manhattan—featuring rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters—provides the perfect match for a robust steak. Its deep, spicy notes accentuate the flavors of the steak, while the smooth finish balances the richness of the meat.
Manhattan Recipe:
2 oz rye whiskey
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Stir with ice, strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with a cherry.
7. 30oz Black Angus Ribeye with Savory Oyster Mushrooms & Bordeaux
Dish: For those indulging in the massive 30oz Black Angus Ribeye, paired with savory oyster mushrooms, this dish demands a drink as bold as the entrée.
Pairing: While cocktails offer endless options, this ribeye pairs exceptionally well with a glass of bold Bordeaux. The wine’s tannins cut through the rich, marbled beef, while its earthy, fruity notes enhance the flavors of the mushrooms.
8. Sweetbriar Burger & IPA
Dish: Sweetbriar’s Dry-Aged Sweetbriar Burger, served with lemon-caper vinaigrette and potato wedges, is a satisfying and indulgent choice.
Pairing: The slight bitterness of an IPA pairs beautifully with the richness of the dry-aged beef. The beer’s hoppy profile complements the savory flavors of the burger, while its carbonation helps cleanse the palate after each bite.
Whether you’re enjoying a casual meal or a full dining experience at Sweetbriar, pairing your dish with the right cocktail can elevate your night to new heights. From the bold flavors of an Old Fashioned with grilled mushrooms to the refreshing zing of an Aperol Spritz alongside fresh oysters, there’s a drink for every plate. Sweetbriar’s unique take on comfort food deserves an equally thoughtful drink, so next time you visit, try out one of these pairings and savor the perfect balance of flavors.
