Seafood lovers, raise your glasses (and your forks)—it’s time we take your seafood dining experience to the next level. Sure, cracking open a light beer or pouring a crisp glass of white wine is always a good idea when enjoying some fresh seafood, but something about a perfectly crafted cocktail just elevates those bold flavors, delicate textures, and everything in between.

Whether you’re grilling up a good seafood boil, plating some crab cakes, or indulging in a lobster roll, there’s a cocktail pairing to make it truly unforgettable. Today, we’re going on a delicious cocktail-meets-seafood adventure, complete with recipes so you can mix right along at home. Grab your cocktail shaker and a large bowl of tortilla chips for snacking—we’re going all in.

Why Pair Cocktails With Seafood?

You might be wondering, why not just stick with a glass of white wine or a pale ale? Great options! But here’s the thing—cocktails allow for a world of flavor possibilities. With the right cocktail, a piece of fresh fish or a shrimp cocktail can go from satisfying to sensational. Think about how a bright citrus margarita complements the smoky notes of a grilled fish taco or how the hint of sweetness in a mojito balances the bold flavors of a spicy ceviche.

The key is matching the acidity, sweetness, or herbaceousness of the drink to the seafood dish you’re enjoying. Trust me, when it’s done right, it’s magic.

Expert-Approved Cocktails for Every Seafood Dish

1. Classic Gin and Tonic with Oysters or Raw Scallops

A simple gin and tonic is as classic as it gets, but did you know its bright citrus and clean flavors are absolutely stellar with fresh seafood like oysters or raw scallops? Add a squeeze of lemon or a cucumber ribbon for some extra zing.

Pro tip: Try a splash of watermelon juice in your G&T for a refreshing cocktail twist. Perfect for hot summer days!

Recipe for a Classic Gin and Tonic

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin (pick your favorite brand)
• 4 oz tonic water
• Ice cubes
• Lemon or lime wedge (for garnish)
• Optional: Cucumber ribbon or a splash of watermelon juice for a twist

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice cubes to keep your drink chilled.
2. Pour in 2 oz of gin over the ice.
3. Add 4 oz of tonic water and gently stir to combine.
4. Squeeze a wedge of lemon or lime into the drink, then drop it in for extra flavor.
5. For a refreshing twist, garnish with a cucumber ribbon or add a splash of watermelon juice.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy your perfectly balanced gin and tonic!

2. Mojito with Shrimp Tacos or Ceviche

Sweet white rum, fresh mint, and lime juice make the mojito an excellent choice to pair with shrimp tacos or ceviche. The minty, citrusy flavors act as a palate cleanser, especially if your seafood dish has a bit of heat from hot sauce or jalapeños.

Recipe:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• Fresh mint leaves
• Club soda

Muddle mint leaves with lime juice and simple syrup, add rum, top with club soda, and stir. Sip, smile, repeat.

3. Classic Frozen Margaritas and Grilled Shrimp

A classic frozen margarita (or one on the rocks, if you’re me) alongside grilled shrimp or fish tacos is a match made in seafood heaven. Need a twist? A watermelon margarita pairs beautifully with a seafood boil.

Pro tip: Salt your rim with Old Bay seasoning for a fun, briny kick.

Classic Margarita Recipe

• 2 oz tequila (silver or reposado)
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec)
• 1/2 oz simple syrup (optional for sweetness)
• Ice
• Coarse salt for rimming (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rim your glass with lime juice, then dip it in coarse salt for that iconic salty edge.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and simple syrup (if using).
3. Shake well until the mixture is thoroughly chilled.
4. Strain into your prepared glass over fresh ice.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge, raise your glass, and enjoy!

4. French 75 with Sushi or Oysters

The French 75 is a mix of gin (or cognac), lemon juice, and champagne. Its fizzy, citrusy flavors cut through the richness of sushi or oysters, bringing out their subtle flavors for the best results.

French 75 Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin (or cognac, for a richer flavor)
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 2-3 oz chilled champagne
• Lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin (or cognac), lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake well until the mixture is thoroughly chilled.
4. Strain into a champagne flute.
5. Top with chilled champagne.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist, toast to the occasion, and sip away!

5. Bloody Mary with Crab Cakes or Shrimp Cocktail

Is there a better summer cocktail than a bold Bloody Mary? The mix of savory Worcestershire sauce, tomato juice, and spices complements seafood cocktails like crab and shrimp perfectly.

Recipe:

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz tomato juice
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 2 dashes hot sauce
• Black pepper, to taste

Combine, stir, and garnish with celery, olives, or even crab meat if you’re feeling fancy.

6. Dry Martini with Smoked Salmon

A classic dry martini with a twist of lemon enhances the smoky, earthy flavors of salmon. It’s sophisticated, clean, and perfect for an upscale seafood dinner.

Recipe:

• 2 1/2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz dry vermouth
• Lemon twist or olive for garnish

Chill a martini glass by filling it with ice water while you prepare the drink. Combine gin and dry vermouth in a mixing glass with ice, then stir gently for 20-30 seconds to chill. Discard the ice water from your martini glass, strain the mixture into the glass, and garnish with a lemon twist or olive for an elegant touch.

7. Whiskey Sour with Lobster Roll or Lobster Tails

A whiskey sour combines the tartness of citrusy flavors with a hint of sweetness, making it a brilliant companion for a buttery lobster roll.

Idea: Add a dash of blood orange juice to the mix for a rich, complex twist.

Whiskey Sour Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon or whiskey
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Ice
• Optional: 1/2 oz blood orange juice (for a twist)
• Garnish: Orange wheel or cocktail cherry

Instructions:

1. Add bourbon (or whiskey), fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and blood orange juice (if using) to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds until well chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into an old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Garnish with an orange wheel or a cocktail cherry for a pop of color and flavor.

Enjoy this vibrant drink alongside a delicious lobster roll or lobster tails for a heavenly pairing!

8. Negroni with Grilled Shrimp or Scallops

The herbaceous bitterness of a Negroni (gin, sweet vermouth, Campari) complements grilled shrimp or seared scallops with their delicate texture and earthy flavors. It’s a bold pairing for adventurous palettes.

Negroni Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 oz Campari
• Ice
• Orange slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice and pour in the gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
2. Stir well until the mixture is chilled and well combined.
3. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Garnish with an orange slice to enhance the aroma and flavor.

Sip and enjoy this classic cocktail, especially when paired with freshly grilled shrimp or perfectly seared scallops!

9. Ranch Water with Grilled Fish Tacos

Ranch Water, a tequila-based drink with lime juice and soda water, is ultra-refreshing and maintains the smoky notes of grilled fish tacos without overpowering them. It’s as easy as it sounds and just as delicious.

Recipe for Ranch Water

• 2 oz blanco tequila
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• Top with soda water
• Ice
• Lime wedge for garnish

1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
2. Pour in the tequila and lime juice.
3. Top with soda water and gently stir to combine.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge for an extra zesty touch.

Perfectly simple and incredibly refreshing, it’s the ultimate companion to grilled fish tacos!

10. Old Fashioned with Crab Cakes

Yes, you read that right. The richness of a crab cake meets its match with the robust, slightly sweet notes of an Old Fashioned.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
  • 1 sugar cube (or 1/2 tsp sugar)
  • 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Orange peel for garnish
  • Ice
• Instructions:

1. Place the sugar cube (or sugar) in a rocks glass.
2. Add the bitters and a splash of water.
3. Muddle until the sugar is dissolved.
4. Fill the glass with a large ice cube or several smaller ones.
5. Pour the whiskey over the ice and stir gently to combine.
6. Express the orange peel over the drink to release its oils, then drop it into the glass for garnish.

A classic cocktail with timeless elegance, the Old Fashioned pairs perfectly with the delicate yet flavorful crab cakes, creating a match made in culinary heaven!

11. Pale Ale with a Seafood Boil

Speaking of boils, beer lovers, rejoice! A pale ale with a good seafood boil or savory sausage is a no-brainer. The beer’s satisfying cleansing bubbles will cut through the spices and bold flavors effortlessly.

12. Moscow Mule with Fish Tacos

Cool ginger beer paired with fresh fish is something of a game-changer. A Moscow Mule keeps the pairing playful and slightly spicy, which will keep you coming back for more.

Recipe for the Perfect Moscow Mule

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 4-6 oz ginger beer
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about half a lime)
• Ice cubes
• Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug or glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour in the vodka and fresh lime juice.
3. Top it off with ginger beer, give it a gentle stir to mix.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of fresh mint for a refreshing burst of flavor.

Enjoy this zesty and invigorating drink alongside your fish tacos or on its own—cheers!

13. Orange Liqueur Cocktails with Ceviche

Citrusy cocktails made with orange liqueur, lime, and maybe even a splash of club soda are bright, crisp, and magical with ceviche. Keep it fresh with fresh herbs like mint or basil.

Examples of Orange Liqueur Cocktails

1. Classic Margarita – Mix orange liqueur, tequila, fresh lime juice, and a touch of simple syrup for a timeless, zesty pairing with ceviche.
2. Orange Basil Cooler – Combine orange liqueur, fresh orange juice, a splash of club soda, and muddled basil leaves for a refreshing twist.
3. Citrus Sparkler – Blend orange liqueur with champagne or prosecco, adding a dash of lemon or lime juice for a light, bubbly treat.
4. Sunset Spritz – Mix orange liqueur, Aperol, sparkling water, and a squeeze of fresh lime for a vibrant, citrus-forward cocktail.

14. Sweet Vermouth Spritz with Delicate Seafood

This simple cocktail paired with seafood pairings like raw scallops or lightly grilled white fish dishes offers just enough sweetness to highlight the natural flavors of the seafood.

Sweet Vermouth Spritz Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 oz sweet vermouth
• 2 oz sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Orange peel or slice, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a wine glass with ice cubes to keep your cocktail refreshingly cold.
2. Pour the sweet vermouth into the glass, followed by sparkling water.
3. Gently stir to mix the ingredients without losing the fizz.
4. Garnish with a twist of orange peel or a slice of orange.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy alongside delicate seafood for a perfectly balanced pairing!

15. Dark Rum Punch with Savory Dishes

Looking for something tropical? A dark rum punch is not only a sweet cocktail option but also a fantastic way to make bold seafood dishes like grilled lobster tails feel like the standout dish of every season.

Dark Rum Punch Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dark rum
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1/4 cup grenadine syrup
• 1/4 cup simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• Dash of Angostura bitters
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Fill a large pitcher with ice cubes to keep the punch chilled.
2. Pour in the dark rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine syrup, and simple syrup.
3. Add a dash of Angostura bitters for depth of flavor.
4. Stir everything together until well combined.
5. Serve in individual glasses over ice, and garnish with a slice of orange, a cherry, or a sprig of fresh mint for that extra tropical touch.

Feel free to sip, relax, and imagine yourself on an island getaway! Perfect with grilled seafood or simply enjoyed on its own. Cheers!

Final Thoughts and a Toast

Look, at the end of the day, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to mixing your favorite cocktails with seafood dishes. If you like your pinot noir with fish tacos, I say go for it. But next time you’re cooking up seafood or dining at your favorite seafood restaurants, step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Sometimes the right cocktail can turn a satisfying dinner party into an unforgettable night.

All that’s left to do now is to grab your cocktail shaker, gather some fresh seafood, and start pairing. Trust me, your tastebuds will thank you. Cheers to bold flavors, good seafood boils, and even better summer cocktails!