Food and drinks are two sides of the same coin—they are best relished together. But finding the perfect match is a daunting task, especially when it comes to Indian cuisine. It’s not as easy as finding the perfect white wine for your pasta, beer with fritters or whiskey with red meat. Indian fare is often region specific, complex, and bursts with an array of spices and flavours. These masalas need to be balanced with the right drinks to ensure they enhance the flavours even more. And what could be better than pairing Indian cuisine with Indian show-stopping drinks, be it gin, vodka or wine.
Don’t know where to start? The experts at Maharaja Drinks have you covered with the tips and tricks, from what whiskey to pair with your kebabs to the spirit you need to combine with that spicy biryani. The company is the UK’s only drinks retailer exclusively focused on Indian spirits. They have garnered goodwill for handpicking some of the most premium brands that are grown, blended and developed in India. “We aim to showcase the dynamic, experiential, and flavourful nature of the Indian drinks scene—proving that Indian beverages are not only unique but also worthy of global recognition,” says Ipe Jacob, co-founder of Maharaja Drinks. Their wide range of offerings is available on their website for celebrations of all sizes, styles and scales.
Maka Di Belgian Blanche Beer + Butter Chicken
“It’s no surprise that our beers pair well with Indian cuisine. Our delicious Maka Di and White Rhino range consist of lagers, IPAS and ales. The lagers balance out the spicier flavours and our ales complement the richer, creamier curries such as Butter Chicken.”
Fratelli Master Selection White Wine + Salmon
“The Fratelli M/S White, made from a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, is ideal with seafood, preferably prawns or salmon—nothing too heavy. It’s fresh and zippy but still has enough complexity and body to pair well with food.”
Charosa Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon + Lamb Roghan Josh
“In contrast, the Charosa Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is perfect for a heavier meat, like lamb, goat or venison. The same applies for richer, oilier vegetarian curries that might use fleshy aubergine or an intense tomato base. This dark, ruby red wine is blessed with complex aromas – ripe fruits, black olives, vanilla, eucalyptus, chocolate and a hint of sweet spice.”
Maka Zai White Rum + Prawn Cocktail Starter
“For lovers of rum, Maka Zai White Rum is a personal recommendation. It has bright, sweet and spicy flavour notes and goes extremely well with a prawn cocktail starter.”
Hapusa Gin + Spicy Biryani
“Hapusa Gin is a must-try, whether you’re a gin lover or not. It is infused with spices such as turmeric, ginger and cardamom with hints of fruity mango. It pairs well with smoked salmon blinis but also pairs brilliantly with spicy food such as biryani or curries.”
Charosa Reserve Tempranillo Wine + Paneer Tikka Masala
“For vegetarian curries, like Paneer Tikka Masala, which are rich, spicy and creamy, the Charosa Reserve Tempranillo makes for a winning choice. It has excellent concentration of warm red fruit flavours like Raspberry, Strawberry and Plum, distinctly ripe and fleshy.”
Rampur Asava whiskey + Kebab
“Whiskey and scotch connoisseurs only settle for the best. Rampur Asava is surely one among some of the best Japanese and Scottish options out there. This single malt Indian whiskey is aged in ex-bourbon and ex-Cabernet Sauvignon casks. It is known for its tropical fruity notes, including apricot, blackberry, and plum, along with a hint of tobacco and spice.”
Reveilo Late Harvest Chenin Blanc Wine + Strawberry Shortcake
“Reveilo Late Harvest Chenin Blanc is an exquisite dessert wine. This wine still possesses acidity, the sensation of the dessert and the wine together is extremely moreish, rather than sugary and cloying. It’s as if you can’t have a bite without a sip of the other, and so it goes on and on.”
Rhythm Winery Alphonso Mango Wine + Ice-Cream
“Another option is one of the fruit wines from Rhythm Winery. The Alphonso Mango is incredible with ice cream (serve it on the side or pour it on top!), while the Strawberry and Pineapple pair with cheesecake like a dream. These fruit wines are great partners to chocolate desserts, too, if you want to provide something fresh to lift the intensity of the chocolate.”
Smoke Lab Saffron Vodka + Kulfi
“Smoke Lab Saffron Vodka is one you’ll remember long after the drink is over. Kashmiri saffron and spices give it sweet, citrusy aromas, making the drink the perfect sipping vodka to pair with desserts. Marry it with flavours such as dark chocolate, pistachio, cardamom. I suggest complementing it with kulfi.”
