I’m a drinks expert – what you should pair with takeaways from beer with Greggs to a G&T with McDonald’s
WHEN it comes to partnering food and booze, it doesn’t always have to be Champagne and caviar.
This week we reported how a wine shop owner found the best drink with McDonald’s chicken nuggets is Veuve Clicquot champers.
Now we reveal how many of our favourite fast foods could taste even better when enjoyed with the perfect pairing.
Drinks expert Helena Nicklin, of thethreedrinkers.com, gives us her guide to the ideal tipples for takeaways.
Pizza Hut Vegetable Supreme + New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Lidl
Wine, £5.99, Lidl
FOR a takeout from Pizza Hut smothered with veggies and mozzarella cheese, you’ll need a gorgeously grassy white wine glugger with it.
Sauvignon Blanc is your vino hero and is ideal matched with the toppings of mushrooms, peppers, onions and tomatoes, where its zesty splash of citrus cuts through the fluffy, thick dough like a boozy blade.
If you want to posh it up try sipping a sparkling Sauvignon or look to South Africa or Chile for more forward, fruity flavours.
Nando’s Peri-peri chicken + Old Mout Kiwi And Lime Cider
Cider, £2.45, Tesco
A CHEEKY flame-grilled on the bone Nando’s menu classic with its lemony, bay and spicy sauce calls for a frothy, fruity fizz to wash it down that is low in alcohol, as you’ll probably want to glug rather than sip as you tuck-in.
Flavoured cider works brilliantly as apple loves chicken so the two complement each other extremely well.
Picking a fruity scrumpy with lemon or lime will really complement the chain’s famous Peri-Peri sauce and will hose down your palate, especially if you opt for sizzling extra hot.
Greggs Sausage roll + Birra Moretti
Beer, 500ml, £1.79, Aldi
YOU can’t go wrong with an on-the-go pick like Greggs’ golden, hot takeaway sausage roll, so it needs something equally simple and classic in the booze department.
With its warm, flaky notes, soft meaty centre and a kick of pepper from the seasoning, a rich yet refreshing lager is the order of the day.
Moretti is a great match, with tons of thirst-quenching yeasty flavour and a slick of citrus and fine bubbles, keeping this pastry pairing super fresh.
KFC sharing bucket + Pol Guyot Champagne, Sainsbury’s
Champagne, £16, Sainsbury’s
DON’T save it for a special occasion as a bottle of French fizz is actually one of the ultimate takeaway tipples.
With any food that is coated in batter, like the wings and popcorn chicken in the Colonel’s classic sharing bucket, always think bubbles – and bready, brioche-scented ones are definitely the best.
There’s something devilishly decadent about popping the cork on some Champers with KFC and it truly is a match made in heaven.
The flavours and texture of seasoned fried chicken in batter works a treat with the umami profile of Champagne and its refreshing acidity cleans the palate.
Burger King Bacon double cheeseburger + Primitivo Castellore Italian
Wine, £5.79, Aldi
BURGER King’s bacon and cheese, double patty bad boy is packed full of protein and that needs a flavoursome, fruit bomb of a wine to cut though the carnivorous flame-grilled feast.
Primitivo is a ravishing, Italian red that tastes of chocolate-dipped raisins and damson jam.
It’s powerful and boozy, very fruity and flavoursome and a plonk that is structured enough to both stand up to this burger and complement the additional flavours of salty bacon and cheese at the same time.
This bargain bottle is a power couple pairing.
Dunkin’ Donuts Choc Frosted Donuts + Malamado Fortified Malbec
Fortified wine, £9, Tesco
THE best rule of thumb for matching boozy drinks and desserts is to try a tipple that is as sweet, or even sweeter, than the pud itself.
Your choice also needs to match the weight and texture of your dessert or indulgent sugary treat.
So, with a saccharine chocolate bomb of a glazed doughnut like this Dunkin frosted favourite, the perfect pairing is a sweet, fortified red wine.
If you’re going upmarket, a Grenache-based Banyuls from France is ideal, or you could even try a ruby Port.
However, I’d recommend this supermarket fortified Malbec to sip.
Far more fun than a takeaway coffee.
McDonald’s Big Mac and fries + Botanical Project Rhubarb Gin Fizz
Gin can, £1.49, Aldi
GIN might not be included in the price of your Maccy D’s meal but the combo is a great flavour match.
A Big Mac, with its two patties, sauce, cheese and salty fries will certainly make you thirsty.
You’ll want something to sip that combines a bit of fruit with a bitter kick to slake it quickly.
A pre-mixed flavoured G&T like this rhubarb Gin Fizz is a great bet as the juniper spirit bite balances the sweet sesame brioche bun and the flash of rhubarb fruit is a marvellous match for tangy gherkin, dill pickles and a dollop of ketchup.
It’s also light enough to not make you feel bloated afterwards.
Domino’s American Hot Pizza +McGuigan Black Label Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling wine, £6, Sainsbury’s
IF you have the hots for this eye-watering, spicy pizza then you’ll need a full-on thirst quencher of a drink to fan the jalapeno chilli fire inside your takeaway carton.
A fab liquid foil for hot spice is sweetness, so reach for a ripe red Aussie shiraz to sip as you tear off a slice.
This pucker pepperoni, cheese, pepper and onion deep crust pairing works so well thanks to the chocolatey, plum and pepper notes of a bold red shiraz.
Find a sparkling version, chill it slightly and it will take this perfect cheesy mozzarella topped match to a whole new level.