When it comes to enjoying seafood, the right drink can make all the difference. While some might instinctively reach for a crisp white wine or a light beer, there’s also a world of cocktails that pair beautifully with the delicate and varied flavours of the ocean. 

Whether you’re savouring the sweetness of lobster, the tenderness of prawns, or the rich, succulent taste of crab, a well chosen cocktail can enhance your meal, adding layers of sophistication and surprising flavours.

In this guide, we’ll explore the art of pairing cocktails with seafood, including some delicious dishes you can make at home to bring an elegant touch to your dining table.

Before diving into specific pairings, it’s good to know what makes a successful match between cocktails and seafood:

Seafood often has subtle flavours that can be easily overwhelmed by strong drinks. So it’s usually best to choose cocktails that complement rather than overpower the seafood, ensuring the drink enhances the dish and its other ingredients.

Citrus is a classic companion to seafood, providing a crisp, refreshing note to the richness of the dish. Cocktails that incorporate lemon, lime, or other citrus elements can brighten up seafood, adding a zesty edge that naturally harmonises with its taste.

Too many conflicting flavours can muddle the palate. When pairing cocktails with seafood, it’s wise to select drinks that either echo the clean, fresh qualities of the seafood or offer a subtle contrast that still allows the primary ingredients to shine. 

Here’s some of our favourites.

Lobster is a rich and slightly sweet meat which pairs beautifully with a Whisky Sour. Made with fine single malt scotch, lemon and sugar, this cocktail’s tart, smooth flavour creates a vibrant contrast to the buttery lobster whilst accentuating its delicate character.

Elevate this dish even further by serving your lobster grilled with a touch of herb butter. The smoky notes from the grill, coupled with the cocktail’s refreshing acidity are an excellent match, guaranteed to impress every guest at the table.

Tuna ceviche is a dish that celebrates the delicate, fresh flavours of raw fish, marinated in citrus juice and often mixed with ingredients like chilli, coriander and red onion. It’s a vibrant, bright bowl that can handle more exotic flavours. And we think a Pineapple Lime Smash is the perfect companion. 

This cocktail’s lime and sweet pineapple notes mirror the citrusy tang of the ceviche, creating a refreshing blend of flavours that’s seriously tantalising. Serve on a hot summer’s day alfresco style and bring the tropics to your garden.

Crab has a delicate and slightly sweet flavour, which lends itself well to the simplicity of a Scotch & Soda. The clean, effervescent nature of this cocktail allows the flavour of the crab to take centre stage, while the subtle notes of the whisky add a slightly spiced depth without overwhelming the dish.

For a refined touch, serve crab in a light salad with a citrus vinaigrette. The cocktail’s refreshing character cuts through the richness of the crab, making it a delightful pairing for an elevated yet understated meal.

For the utmost sophisticated pairing, treat yourself and guests to oysters with a champagne cocktail. Our favourite is our take on a French 75, a whisky twist on the classic recipe. The cocktail’s combination of sparkling wine and whisky with a hint of lemon, enhances the oysters’ fresh, saline taste. It’s seriously luxurious.

It might surprise you to know that oysters and whisky alone are a delicious pairing. So add in the fizz of sparkling wine and you’ve got yourself a refined combination worthy of any special occasion.

Shrimp’s delicate flavours can handle most ingredients, including plenty of spice. A Bloody Mary is a popular pairing for seafood dishes but we love to take it one step further in our chilli, fruity drink, Caribbean Fire. The cocktail recipe uses hot sauce to get some serious heat  that complements the shrimp’s sweetness, while the addition of pineapple and pink grapefruit add a taste of the tropics.

Heat up the grill and pair this cocktail with spicy shrimp skewers, marinated in chilli and garlic. Don’t forget to add elevated side dishes including a kale and pomegranate seed salad, glazed mediterranean vegetables and herby, lemon couscous. What better way to entertain this summer.

The delicate, slightly sweet flavour of scallops are an ideal companion in Scotch Whisky Smash. This cocktail, with its refreshing mix of whisky, fresh mint and citrus, complements the light, buttery taste of the seafood, adding a subtle herbaceous note.

For a refined dinner, consider serving pan-seared scallops with a mint and lemon butter sauce to mirror the cocktail’s citrusy, minty profile. It’s a simple yet sophisticated pairing where the focus is on fresh, vibrant flavours rather than fuss.

Crab cakes are a timeless dish with a warm, rich flavour. So naturally you need a cocktail that matches. When it comes to cocktails, nothing is more classic than an Old Fashioned. Pair the two together and you’ve got yourself a winning combination.

The cocktail’s bold whisky character and hint of sweetness goes perfectly with the crab cakes’ comforting taste. Especially when served with a light aioli or a citrusy tartar sauce. 

Explore our full collection of whisky cocktail recipes to discover more perfect pairings and bring a touch of elegance to your next seafood feast. And don’t miss our guide to whisky and food pairings including our top tips for hosting a pairing dinner at home.