Great BBQ deserves more than a random drink grabbed at the last second.

Brisket is rich and smoky. Ribs can bring plenty of sweet, savory BBQ flavor. Pulled pork is tender and versatile, while hot links bring a bolder bite. The right drink can complement those flavors, refresh your palate, or provide just enough contrast to make the next bite even better.

That’s why finding the best drinks to pair with BBQ isn’t about memorizing complicated pairing rules. It’s about matching bold food with drinks that can hold their own.

And there’s plenty of room to play. Cold beer, bourbon, margaritas, refreshing cocktails, wine, lemonade, and zero-proof drinks can all earn a spot at the BBQ table.

TLDR – Quick Guide

  • Brisket + bourbon = bold meets bold
  • Ribs + cold beer = a refreshing BBQ classic
  • Pulled pork + margarita or Paloma = bright, citrusy contrast
  • Hot links + crisp beer or lemonade = refreshment between spicy bites
  • BBQ chicken + white wine or a fruity cocktail = lighter but still flavorful
  • Zero-proof drinks = plenty of pairing potential without alcohol
  • When in doubt, choose something refreshing enough to balance smoke, richness, and sauce

The Simple Rule Behind Great BBQ Drink Pairings

You don’t need to be a sommelier—or own a fancy apron—to find a great BBQ pairing.

Start by thinking about what’s happening on your plate. Rich meats benefit from drinks with acidity, carbonation, or a crisp finish. Spicier foods can work well with refreshing or slightly fruity drinks. Deeply smoked meats can stand up to bourbon and other full-flavored choices.

The best drinks to pair with BBQ generally do one of two things: complement the food or create contrast.

A bourbon can echo the deep, robust character of brisket. A cold beer can refresh your palate after a bite of ribs. Citrus in a margarita can brighten up pulled pork.

Once you start thinking in terms of balance instead of strict rules, pairing becomes a lot more fun.

Brisket + Bourbon: Bring on the Bold

Brisket doesn’t exactly whisper. A great piece of brisket brings smoke, seasoning, richness, and plenty of beefy flavor, so it can handle a drink with some personality.

Bourbon is a natural match. Notes commonly associated with bourbon, such as vanilla, caramel, oak, and spice, can complement the savory character of smoked beef without disappearing behind it.

At Del’s Hideout, BBQ fans have plenty of room to explore, with 40+ bourbons available. The cocktail menu also includes whiskey-forward choices such as Tim’s Old Fashioned and the Cali Old Fashioned.

Want to dig deeper into why these flavors work so well together? Check out the Del’s Hideout guide to bourbon with smoked brisket.

Try this pairing when: You want your drink to match the intensity of your BBQ rather than simply cool things down.

Ribs + Beer: A Classic for a Reason

There’s a reason beer and ribs have spent so much time together.

Ribs deliver rich, smoky flavor, while BBQ sauce can bring sweetness and tang to the equation. A cold beer adds carbonation and refreshment between bites, helping keep a hearty plate interesting from start to finish.

You don’t have to overthink the beer style, either. Crisp, refreshing beers are an easy starting point, while fuller-flavored choices can hold their own alongside stronger BBQ flavors.

Del’s Hideout offers 24 beers on tap, giving you plenty of opportunities to discover your own favorite pairing.

Want even more ideas? Explore this guide to BBQ pairings with craft beers, wines, and sides.

Try this pairing when: You want something cold, straightforward, and refreshing alongside a hearty BBQ plate.

Pulled Pork + Margaritas or Palomas: Bright Meets Smoky

Pulled pork is smoky and savory but versatile enough to play nicely with brighter drinks.

That makes citrus-forward cocktails a strong pairing. Acidity and fruit flavors provide contrast to the richness of the pork and can refresh your palate between bites.

At Del’s Hideout, Monty’s Spicy Margarita combines jalapeño-infused Real de Valle Blanco with guava, hibiscus, agave, lemon, and a Tajín rim.

For something frozen, the Grantville Frozen Paloma combines Los Javis mezcal, Real Valle Blanco tequila, grapefruit, organic strawberry, and peach in a slushy-style cocktail.

Both bring plenty of personality to the table without asking the pulled pork to take a back seat.

Try this pairing when: You want something bright and refreshing to contrast with smoky, savory BBQ.

BBQ Chicken + Fruity Cocktails or Wine

BBQ chicken tends to be lighter than brisket or ribs, which gives you more flexibility when choosing a drink.

A crisp white wine can complement grilled BBQ chicken without overwhelming it. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are good places to start when you want something refreshing.

Cocktails work here, too. Fruity and citrus-forward drinks can complement the grilled and BBQ flavors while keeping the overall pairing lively.

The Del’s Hideout menu offers choices ranging from the San Diego Lemonade and Pineapple Tiki Smash to Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, rosé, and several reds.

Try this pairing when: You want a lighter combination that still brings plenty of flavor to the table.

Housemade Hot Links + Something Cool and Refreshing

When your BBQ brings bold flavor, your drink should know how to keep up.

Housemade hot links already bring plenty of personality to the plate, so a refreshing drink can provide welcome contrast. A cold beer cleans up the palate between bites, while lemonade delivers a sweet-tart counterpoint.

This is one pairing where simplicity can win. You don’t necessarily need another huge flavor competing for attention—the housemade hot links have that covered.

Try this pairing when: You want your drink to refresh the palate while letting the BBQ remain the star.

Don’t Sleep on Zero-Proof BBQ Pairings

The best drinks to pair with BBQ don’t have to contain alcohol.

In fact, smoky and savory foods work particularly well with drinks that bring fruit, citrus, bubbles, or even a little heat of their own.

The zero-proof menu at Del’s Hideout offers several flavorful options:

  • Pershing Peach – Peach, lemon, and Fever-Tree ginger beer make this a bright companion for smoky meats.
  • Cranberry Splash – Cranberry, apple, Fever-Tree ginger beer, mint, and soda bring tartness and fizz to richer BBQ.
  • Spring Fling – Nonalcoholic pink gin, lemon, guava, mint, and soda create a fresh, fruity combination.
  • Shimmering Heat – Nonalcoholic agave spirit, fresh jalapeño, peach, sparkle dust, simple syrup, and lemon bring sweet, tart, and spicy flavors together.
  • Sweet Tea, Flavored Teas & Lemonades – Hibiscus, peach, and guava flavors provide easy, refreshing choices for a variety of BBQ plates.

Zero-proof doesn’t have to mean zero excitement. The right combination of sweetness, acidity, fruit, and carbonation can stand up beautifully to smoky BBQ.

What About Wine With BBQ?

Absolutely.

Wine may not be the first thing everyone associates with BBQ, but the right glass can work surprisingly well.

For lighter meats such as BBQ chicken, try a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. If you’re ordering richer smoked beef, reds such as Cab Sauvignon or Zinfandel bring more body and character to the pairing.

Rosé can also be an easy middle ground when the table is sharing several different dishes. It’s refreshing enough for lighter foods while still bringing enough flavor to accompany plenty of BBQ favorites.

Del’s Hideout offers white, rosé, sparkling, and red selections, so wine drinkers don’t have to sit out BBQ pairing night.

The trick isn’t finding one universally “correct” wine. Match the intensity of your glass to the intensity of your plate—and, most importantly, drink what you actually enjoy.

How to Pick a Drink When Everyone Orders Something Different

Sharing a table full of brisket, pulled pork, ribs, sides, and sandwiches? Don’t panic.

Instead of trying to find one ultra-specific pairing, choose something versatile and refreshing. Beer, citrus-forward cocktails, lemonade, and certain wines can move comfortably between several dishes.

Another option is to make tasting part of the fun. Start with one drink alongside your first plate, then try something different if you’re sticking around.

Del’s Hideout also offers Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 2:00–5:00 p.m., with featured drink options alongside BBQ-friendly bites.

That means there are plenty of ways to experiment until you discover your personal BBQ-and-drink dream team.

A Quick BBQ Pairing Cheat Sheet

Still deciding? Keep these combinations in your back pocket:

  • Prime Beef Brisket: Bourbon or an Old Fashioned
  • Baby Back Ribs: Cold draft beer
  • Smoked Pulled Pork: Margarita, Paloma, or refreshing beer
  • Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or a fruity cocktail
  • Housemade Hot Links: Crisp beer or lemonade
  • Mixed BBQ Feast: Beer, rosé, lemonade, or another versatile refreshing drink

There’s no pairing police at the BBQ table. If you love brisket with lemonade or ribs with Cabernet, go for it. The best pairing is ultimately the one that makes you want another bite.

Key Takeaways

Finding the best drinks to pair with BBQ comes down to balance. Rich meats love refreshing drinks, smoky flavors can stand up to bourbon, and citrus or fruit can bring welcome brightness to a hearty plate.

Remember:

  • Bourbon is a natural partner for smoky brisket.
  • Beer provides a refreshing contrast to ribs and other rich BBQ meats.
  • Margaritas and Palomas bring brightness to pulled pork.
  • White wine and fruity cocktails work well with BBQ chicken.
  • Zero-proof cocktails, tea, and lemonade can be just as pairing-friendly.
  • Different meats call for different pairings, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
  • There’s no single “correct” pairing—your taste gets the final vote.

BBQ brings plenty of personality to the table. Your drink should, too.

FAQs

What are the best drinks to pair with BBQ?

Beer, bourbon, cocktails, wine, lemonade, tea, and zero-proof drinks can all pair beautifully with BBQ. The best choice depends on the meat and flavors on your plate. Rich brisket can handle bourbon, while citrusy or refreshing drinks work particularly well with pulled pork and chicken.

What drink goes best with brisket?

Bourbon is a classic choice for brisket because its rich character complements the smoke and richness of the beef. Beer and fuller-bodied red wines can also work well.

What cocktail goes well with pulled pork?

Bright cocktails with citrus or fruit are excellent with pulled pork. Margaritas and Palomas can provide refreshing acidity and fruit flavors that contrast with the pork’s smoky richness.

What nonalcoholic drinks go best with BBQ?

Lemonade, sweet tea, flavored teas, ginger beer-based drinks, and fruit-forward zero-proof cocktails are all strong options. Drinks with acidity, fruit, or carbonation can provide refreshing contrast to rich BBQ.

Can you pair wine with BBQ?

Definitely. Crisp whites such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio can work well with BBQ chicken, while bolder reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are better suited to richer smoked meats. Rosé is another versatile choice when the table is sharing several different dishes.