When you find an exquisite beverage to pair with your delicious piece of steak, it’s almost…perfection. Some spirits cut through the richness and fattiness of the steak, while others with similar flavor notes can enhance the taste of both the steak and the beverage.
However, finding the best spirits to pair with cuts of steak isn’t always just guesswork or a coincidence. Experienced connoisseurs have spent countless hours testing and fine-tuning until finally devising lists of perfect pairings. Now, you can take advantage of their hard work.
If you’ve booked a table at Driven Steakhouse and want to get the most out of your experience, learn more about pairing spirits with cuts of meat below.
Wagyu Picanha Rump Steak
Wagyu Picanha is a premium cut of beef from the top of the sirloin. Many diners prefer it for its wonderfully tender texture and rich flavor. The complexity of this cut of meat means it’s easy to get spirits pairings wrong.
Ask our experienced team about the spirits they recommend drinking with your Wagyu Picanha dish. You can’t go wrong with scotch with smoky notes, which can enhance the Wagyu’s marbled fat. Even the caramel notes of bourbon can work in harmony with the beef’s umami flavors.
Rest assured, that if you’re not a spirits drinker, you can still find your match with this cut of beef. Wagyu can pair beautifully with Pinot Noir.
Wagyu Tomahawk
A Wagyu Tomahawk is a marbled and tender Wagyu ribeye steak with a frenched bone that gives it that ever-popular tomahawk axe-like shape. Tomahawk steaks are definitely the showpiece of any dinner, but they can also be enhanced with certain beverages.
Bourbon is a classic choice to pair with a Wagyu Tomahawk, especially as the vanilla, caramel, and spice notes of the bourbon can stand up to the rich umami and fatty marbling of the Wagyu.
However, if you’re looking for a more smoky contrast and perhaps something that’s a little bit bolder, try a peaty scotch whisky. This beverage can undoubtedly enhance a charred Wagyu Tomahawk steak’s seared flavors.
It’s important to note that the Tomahawk steak’s cooking method can contribute to the best pairing with spirits. A lightly cooked Wagyu Tomahawk would suit more delicate spirits, while a heavily charred or grilled steak is better suited to bolder spirits like scotch.
Dry-Aged Steak
Dry-aged steak is a quality cut of meat that has been aged in a humidity, temperature, and air-controlled environment for weeks or even months. This process lets moisture evaporate, and natural enzymes break down the connective tissues. The resultant dry-aged steak is rich and nutty with a beautiful texture.
Due to the intensity of this steak, care must be taken to choose spirits that cut through it. Bourbon, high-rye whiskey, rye whiskey, and single malt scotch are all great choices. Your server may recommend the likes of Glen Moray Peated Single Malt scotch, Driven’s Rye Whiskey Small Batch, and Ironton Cam’s 1870 CSU Straight Rye Whiskey.
Filet Mignon
The tenderness and mild taste of filet mignon makes it a hard cut of meat to pair with alcohol. You must avoid pairing it with anything too bold that might overtake the flavor of the meat.
Rich, strong spirits like bourbon and rye are great options for complementing the beef’s flavor. Inquire about our small-batch and barrel-proof bourbon options, including a small batch eight-year old-fashioned Driven bourbon and a Brown Butter-infused old-fashioned Driven bourbon.
Filet Mignon also pairs well with cocktails like a Whiskey Sour. Their sweetness and the bitters balance out the steak’s richness.
Flank Steak
Flank steak has a beautifully robust flavor and is the highlight of our Prime Flank Steak 10oz dish. However, it can certainly be taken to the next level with a variety of spirits.
Bourbon and rye whiskey can complement the richness of the steak. The caramel notes of the bourbon can actually harmonize with the ‘beefy’ flavor of the flank steak. If your steak is grilled, you may wish to pair it with a scotch with a smoky character.
Beef Cheek
Beef cheek is a hearty and delicious cut of meat that develops its rich, beefy flavor and tender texture after careful braising. While red wine is always a classic choice for such a cut, it’s not your only option.
An aged whiskey or bourbon with higher rye content can pair favorably with the savory flavors of beef cheeks. Darker beers can also create a unique flavor profile.
How to Pair Steak with Spirits
You can always ask the experienced team at Driven to recommend spirits to pair with your delicious steak meal. However, you may also be curious about what the process looks like.
A significant part of pairing involves identifying the flavor profile of the meat. A lean and delicate cut of beef can require milder pairings, while rich and fatty meat needs bold and robust spirits. Anything smoky or charred should have spirits that match the smokiness.
The fat content of the beef can also contribute. Fatty cuts of meat can require high-proof spirits to cut through the fat.
Enjoy Delicious Steak and Exquisite Spirits at Driven Steakhouse in Loveland, CO
For an unforgettable dining experience with superior cuts of beef paired with quality spirits, make your booking at Driven Steakhouse today. Driven delivers an artful fusion of premium steaks, exquisite seafood, and fine bourbon.
