If you’re already intrigued, then we assume you adore oysters. Discover the best wines, spirits and cocktails to pair with your next dozen.
Oysters are a divisive delicacy. Whether you love these salty, slippery treats or think their well-known reputation as aphrodisiacs is claptrap, there’s one thing for sure: Champagne is considered the classic drink to pair with these delicate molluscs.
While there’s no denying the French fizz pairs well with seafood, and especially well with oysters, it’s also the safe choice. If you want to step away from the basic coupling and branch out into a new flavour hit, we’ve rounded up the best wines, beers, spirits and cocktails to sip with a couple of shucked oysters straight from the sea.
It doesn’t have to be sparkling to go beautifully with oysters. White wines with high acidity such as sauvignon blanc, Chablis and Muscadet will perfectly balance the salty taste of fresh oysters without overpowering them. If you want to venture into less travelled territory, viognier and picpoul blanc are two of our favourites for anything salty. France has a long-running culture of oyster eating, so French wines are often a great bet. Try a French rosé for something different – look for bone-dry with minimal tannins.
Red wines are definitely trickier. It’s not our first choice when slurping oysters, but you can find some lighter styles that work surprisingly well if you know where to look. Our advice? Chat to the sommelier next time you’re out. They can point you in the direction of something light with low tannins to fit the bill.
While there’s plenty to explore in the world of wine, beer shouldn’t be overlooked as a love-match for oysters. Naturally, oysters taste saltier, sweeter or creamier depending on where they’re from, and this should all play into the beer you choose to drink alongside them.
If you’re serving a super briny oyster, a sweeter style of beer can provide a delightful contrast. On the flipside, if your oysters are of the creamier variety, shoot for something tart and funky like a gose, or a sour wheat beer like a Berliner weisse. Just try not to go for anything too fruity or it could overpower your food.
An easy winner for most oysters is pouring yourself a dark, toasty stout – just think about how deliciously chocolate and salt go together and you’ll start to get the idea. These rich beers have a pillowy mouthfeel that sidles up perfectly to the sharp brine of an oyster.
Whisky can be a great match for oysters – try a citrus-forward Scotch or something salty and smoky like Talisker. Go for a whisky with a bit of smouldering tobacco character to it and an assertive finish (read: delivers a big, smoky punch to the face).
If whisky isn’t your deal, gin’s infusion of juniper and herbs will create complementary flavour notes (like a squeeze of lemon atop your oyster). Meanwhile, vodka will remain pleasantly neutral to marine and freshwater molluscs. On the other side of the world, mezcal and tequila have similar sweet, smoky qualities that balance the briny slurp of raw oysters.
While not technically a spirit, sake is extremely good with fresh oysters. Both are high in amino acids, making for that unique umami flavour, and the delicate and elegant taste of the sake will bring out the depth and creaminess of the oyster.
One great thing about oysters is they’re often served as appetisers or happy hour specials. Settle in for a shuckin’ great night out with a new cocktail-and-oyster combo. Anything citrus-based is bound to be a winner. Margaritas are a great choice thanks to the smoky charm of tequila, and the spiciness of a Bloody Mary will help create a sweet and salty sensation. Not into fruity cocktails? Go for a Dry or Dirty Martini – they’re an ideal duo to get your night started.
