Great Sodas to Pair with Gourmet Foods

Some epicurean purists maintain that if you’re not a wine drinker, mineral water is the only fitting beverage for a gourmet meal, and the only question on the matter is whether to drink it sparkling or still. Anything else, the theory goes, would occlude the palate and diminish one’s appreciation of the cuisine.

That’s a silly rule. A well-chosen flavored beverage can definitely enhance the enjoyment of a great meal. Just take your cue from the style of cuisine or the seasonings in the dish and pick a drink with complementary flavors. Definitely steer clear of cloying high-fructose corn syrup; look instead for natural sweeteners like cane sugar or agave, and flavorings like pure fruit juices, herbs and spices. Here are some great food-friendly sips to try, along with suggested gourmet pairings:

DRY Soda Co. Lemongrass With just a hint of sweetness, a soft effervescence, a true, subtle lemongrass flavor, and an almost palate-cleansing quality, this is perhaps the food-friendliest - and most refreshing of the bunch. With their spare, modern design, the glass bottles are table-worthy, too

Suggested Pairings: Thai cuisine, fish and shellfish, sushi, roasted or grilled meats, game birds, goat cheese, fruit.

Fizzy Lizzy Costa Rican Pineapple has a soft head and an almost creamy mouthfeel. Tiny bubbles lend a light fizz, and the pineapple flavor is sweet and fresh. Bright and fruity, this is a nice counterpart to bold flavors and spice.

Suggested Pairings: Jerk Chicken, grilled flank steak, South American, Southwestern, Mexican and Caribbean cuisines, coconut, and fruit.

Virgil’s Root Beer Developed from vintage recipes, this award-winning micro brewed root beer is crafted with herbs and spices sourced from around the world. Vanilla, anise, cinnamon, birch, clove, and wintergreen notes lend complexity to the creamy brew; it’s also these culinary flavors that make Virgil’s such an intriguing match with food

Suggested Pairings: Cheese, roasted and cured meats, barbecue, roasted root vegetables, egg dishes, mushrooms, bitter greens, chocolate.