5 Min Read

Food Pairings

The best 8 cocktails to serve with a steak dinner

It’s difficult to describe the unique flavour of a perfectly cooked steak. But if we were to give it a go, we’d say rich, deep, buttery and sweet yet satisfyingly savoury.

The intense flavour of steak also pairs perfectly with scotch whisky. That’s because whisky shares a similar flavour profile – it’s most definitely rich and deep. And adding a super refreshing element by opting for a whisky cocktail to complement your steak is the ideal dinner and drinks scenario.

Just like how everyone likes their steak slightly differently, we all like to enjoy our whisky slightly differently, too. Luckily, there are lots of great cocktails to enjoy with your steak, from classic drinks to modern cocktail creations.

A carefully cooked steak with a delicious cocktail is sure to impress whoever you’re cooking for (or ordering in front of) whether it’s a date, a family meal or a treat just for you.

If you’re looking for the best cocktails to pair with your next steak dinner, you’re in the right place.

OLD FASHIONED

The beauty of a good steak dinner is in its simplicity. A perfectly cooked steak with some crispy fries and a tasty sauce is all you need on the plate.

And the same can be said for the Old Fashioned cocktail – it’s simple and hard to beat, making it a perfect cocktail pairing with steak.

A good Old Fashioned is all about accentuating the notes of the whisky you choose, in our case, The Glenlivet 18 Year Old, with its rich fruity aroma, apricot tone and spicy flavour profile.

Add sugar, a little whisky and some ice into your glass of choice. Give it a stir for about 30 seconds or until the sugar has dissolved, then add a spot more whisky and the bitters. Keep stirring for another minute – remember, patience is a virtue… Add the rest of your whisky and you guessed it, stir again.

Don’t forget to give it a taste and make any necessary adjustments, just like you would do when cooking your steak dinner. Garnish with a large orange twist for some je nais se quois.

You just can’t go wrong with an ultimate Old Fashioned, it’s undeniably one of the best cocktails with steak.

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WHISKY SOUR

This is another classic cocktail that pairs brilliantly with steak and uses just a handful of ingredients. The sharp flavours of a Whisky Sour provide a perfect contrast with rich meat that makes for a ridiculously moreish duo.

We make ours with The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, an ultra smooth, fruity scotch that adds notes of pineapple and vanilla to this slightly sour cocktail.

And it’s super easy to rustle up… simply add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and give it a good shake. Next step: add ice and shake again. Once it’s nice and chilled, strain into a glass and enjoy.

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SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS

So while a Scotch on the Rocks isn’t a cocktail, being just a combination of scotch and ice, it has to make this list, as sometimes, there’s beauty in simplicity.

While this serve may be relatively effortless, that doesn’t mean it lacks complexity. Instead, the addition of ice alone allows the flavours of the whisky to truly shine, while still being mellow enough to leave ample room for the rich, umami flavours of your steak.

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MARASCHINO CHERRY MANHATTAN

The Maraschino Cherry Manhattan is a cocktail for whisky lovers and steak lovers alike… so you’re in good hands with this drink.

Our version uses The Glenlivet 12 Year Old paired with sweet maraschino cherries – it’s a flavour sensation that will elevate your steak dinner to new culinary heights.

Mix the whisky, Luxardo liqueur, vermouth and a splash of cherry juice in a mixing glass. Fill up with ice and stir, then strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Skewer the cherries onto a cocktail pick and add a few dashes of bitters, then place on the rim of your glass and serve.

A short and sweet cocktail that’s best served with a steak dinner.

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MAPLE RED WINE FLOAT

If you can’t quite leave behind the red wine and steak combination, then this cocktail will please your taste buds.

Meet the Maple Red Wine Float, a drink perfect for the wine and whisky lover whose looking to expand their palette.

A red wine float creates a beautiful rich layer atop a classic whisky sour base.

It’s rich, sweet and warming. Perfect for pairing with red meat dinners.

THE GODFATHER

Serve your steak dinner with serious attitude, The Godfather style.

Inspired by the classic movie, this classic whisky drink is simple yet punchy, with only two ingredients.

Amaretto and our 15 Year old scotch combine to create a sweet, nutty cocktail you simply can’t refuse. Perfect for elevating the juicy charred grill of a steak, or serving as an after dinner sipper.

All you need to do is add the spirits together over ice and baddabing, you’re ready to go.

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PAPER PLANE

If an Aperol Spritz is your usual, than the Paper Plane is a must try. Bittersweet, smooth and herbal, it’s a complex cocktail that takes minutes to make.

It’s fresh taste goes beautifully with juicy steak, balancing out richer flavours and the sweet creaminess of Bearnaise sauce. Show off just how versatile whisky can be at your next whisky pairing dinner party. It’s guaranteed to be a hit.

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RUSTY NAIL

We’re ending with another super easy whisky cocktail that packs a punch and goes great with steak, whether it’s ribeye, fillet or sirloin.

The Rusty Nail pairs honey with whisky, another classic flavour combination, and this deep, sweet yet sharp combination creates a truly mouth watering accompaniment to steak.

Load up a tumbler with ice, adding The Glenlivet 12 Year Old and some whisky liqueur. Stir carefully to make sure it’s well combined. Then simply add your lemon peel for a little garnish, and serve.

Easy pleasy… lemon, honey and whisky squeasy!

With whisky cocktails this simple, there’s no excuse not to serve one with your steak dinner, even if you’re feeling the heat from the kitchen.

If you love experimenting with whisky and food, our guide to cooking with whisky is not one to miss. If exciting flavour combos are what you are looking for, our collection of whisky cocktail recipes and whisky and cheese pairing recommendations might be of interest.