Indian food and drink pairings you NEED to try

Everyone knows the old wine rules. Red meats with red wine. White meats with white wine. Easy enough.

Some pairings feel so natural it’s almost like they were destined to be together but no one really talks about how to pair your Indian mains with breads, rice or drinks to make the flavours sing. So we thought we’d put together a little guide for you. These are not strict rules. They’re more like gentle nudges in the right direction. A few tried and tested suggestions from dishes people order again and again at Sanskruti, or what people classically enjoy together in India.

The Rules of Thumb (well, sort of!)

If your curry is runny or soupy like kadhi pakora or paneer malai kofta, go with rice. Rice soaks up the sauce beautifully.
If your curry is thicker and sticks to the spoon like kela nu shaak, have it with breads. The bread scoops it up better.
If you’re not a fan of spicy or hot food, we can always tone it down for you. But if you want to be bold and order the spiciest lasaniya batata or Mysore masala dosa, don’t panic. A mango lassi is your armour. It will cool you right down. You can never go wrong with a mango lassi.
Missing the beach and sunshine? Order the chaats with a coconut daiquiri. It’s got that breezy, tropical vibe.
When it’s freezing outside and you just want a little comfort, nothing does the trick like fried starters with a masala chai. Or you can choose to end your meal with chai.
For the wine lovers among you, here’s a simple one. Rich, robust curries with reds. Creamy curries with whites. Prosecco goes with anything when there’s something to celebrate.

Pairings to Try at Sanskruti

Pani puri with mango lassi – the spice and tang of the puri softened by the creamy sweetness of mango.
Sev puri with a passionfruit martini cocktail – crunchy, tangy puri with a light, fruity drink that mirrors street food excitement.
Samosa chaat with Prosecco – the rich, layered flavours of chaat meet the crisp sparkle of bubbles.
Poppadom basket with a Picante cocktail – light and crispy snack offset by a fiery chilli-spiked drink (drink at your own risk 😀 )
Veg pakora with whisky – the smoky crunch of pakoras goes surprisingly well with the depth of whisky.
Onion bhaji or veg pakora with masala chai – a rainy day classic in India, fried snacks with steaming chai.
Baby corn Manchurian with Madras fresh lime soda – crisp, zesty, spicy and tangy all at once.
Chowpatty bhel with a raspberry sling – crunchy, chatpata bhel with a fruity cocktail that balances the flavours.
Sizzling tandoori starters with Cobra beer – smoky, hot skewers washed down with a cold, crisp pint.
Masala chips with kiwi mango cooler – spicy, tangy chips cooled down with tropical sweetness.
Daal makhani with tandoori roti and red wine – deep, smoky lentils with a rustic bread and a smooth red.
Paneer butter masala with naan and white wine – creamy paneer and soft bread lifted by the crispness of white wine.
Lasaniya batata with fulka roti and mango lassi – fiery garlic potatoes with roti balanced by the cooling armour of lassi.
Malabar korma with mushroom rice and coconut daiquiri – coconut-rich curry paired with earthy rice and a tropical cocktail for that beach holiday feel.
Masala dosa with nimbu pani – crisp dosa and tangy lemonade-style drink for a South Indian summer match.
Kadhi pakora with pilau rice and gin and tonic – flowy, tangy yoghurt-based curry with rice, cut nicely by a crisp G&T.
Chana masala with tandoori roti and espresso martini – bold chickpeas with roasted bread matched with a coffee kick.
Vegetable Jaipuri with mushroom rice and Prosecco – rich curry, earthy rice and a celebratory glass of bubbles.
Kaju masala with lachha paratha and a coconut daiquiri – creamy cashew curry with buttery bread and a tropical cocktail.
Bhindi anari with fulka roti and a ginger martini – tangy okra brightened by ginger spice in the glass.
Idli with coconut chutney and coconut daiquiri – soft dumplings and a warming, earthy drink to soothe.

Here’s another guide that we’ve put together based on the frequently asked questions to help you order Indian food like a pro. Visit the guide here. If you’d like to watch the step by step guides of how to make some Indian classics with ease, visit our Youtube channel here.