Indian cuisine, with its vast range of spices, textures and heat levels, deserves a drink that complements its character. The beverage should soften the fire, yes, but it has to lift the flavour and tie the whole eating experience together as well.
A chilled Lassi can balance strong flavours. Sip Jaljeera to enjoy a tangy, refreshing twist that helps cut through rich gravies. Light beers give you a crisp contrast to fiery dishes and slightly sweet wines help mellow the spice beautifully.
So, keep reading, you will soon know exactly what to pour the next time your plate turns up the heat.
The Spice & The Drink
When you order a spicy curry, biriyani or tandoori dish, you have more than one flavour at play. You have got layers of heat, fat, aromatics and acidity. The trick in pairing a drink is to know how the beverage interacts with these elements.
If your drink is not right, your tongue just keeps running after the heat and the fun of eating slowly disappears. For example, a drink that is too bitter, too strong in alcohol or too heavy can actually make the spice hit harder instead of calming it down.
On the other hand, something with a sweet note, a bit of creaminess or a refreshing fizz usually does a much better job at easing that fiery kick, thereby helping you relish in the delectable flavours Indian food has to offer.
Beverages That Match The Heat Of Indian Dishes
- Lassi
A mouth full of capsaicin, the compound responsible for the chilli’s heat, demands a drink that works on a scientific level and honestly, nothing has been more effective than dairy.
Lassi is a traditional, yoghurt-based drink that works wonders because it contains casein, a protein that actually binds to the capsaicin oil and washes it away, instantly soothing the fiery sensation.
The rich, creamy texture coats your tongue, providing a physical barrier and a lovely cooling sensation. A salty Lassi pairs beautifully well with the spicy curries like Gosht Rogan Josh or Chettinad Chicken, while Sweet or Mango Lassi complements grilled dishes.
The satisfying taste and the luxurious thickness provide a brilliant, momentary respite, making the heat enjoyable. Having a tall glass of Lassi is an experience that is more satisfying than any icy beer could ever deliver.
- Chaas
Chaas, a more savoury and tart drink, is an absolute revelation. This is a thinner, salted and spiced yoghurt drink, seasoned with toasted cumin powder, black salt, ginger and sometimes fresh mint.
The light acidity of the buttermilk is a master at cutting through rich, oily gravies, without masking their intricate flavours. It is also incredibly digestive, making it the best choice to sip steadily throughout a large, heavy meal.
It is a wonderfully authentic and restorative beverage that has earned its place as a staple in Indian households for centuries. So, if we could recommend one drink for someone who wants to keep eating spicy dishes and feel happy afterwards, this would be it.
- Nimbu Paani
For those avoiding dairy or simply seeking a non-alcoholic option that feels less heavy than a Lassi, you must turn your gaze toward the world of acidic and sugary beverages.
Capsaicin is an alkaline molecule and as you might remember from a high school chemistry class, an acid can help to neutralise an alkali. This is why a simple, beautifully made Nimbu Pani, the fresh Indian lemonade, is one of the best drinks to try.
The combination of cold temperature, the sharp, zesty tang of fresh lime and the necessary hit of sugar works on two fronts. The acid helps to chemically counteract the heat, while the sugar activates the sweetness receptors on your tongue to inhibit or distract the heat receptors.
So, when you are faced with a big, bold Tandoori platter or a dish like Chicken Tikka, the kick of Nimbu Pani is exactly what you need to keep your palate lively and ready for the next scrumptious meal.
- Jal Jeera
This traditional North Indian drink is a dazzling blend of water, cumin, ginger, mint, black pepper and sometimes tamarind or dried mango powder, resulting in a complex, tangy and deeply savoury beverage.
Many people might shy away from a savoury drink, but believe us, this one is a must-try, especially with street food or extremely pungent dishes. The mint and spices give it a lovely cooling, almost medicinal quality and the tartness makes it an outstanding digestive aid.
It brings a counter-balance to spice, instead of masking the heat, its own savoury intensity stands up to it. And, this creates a push-and-pull experience that is simply exhilarating.
- Beer
It is an absolute global truth that a cold, fizzy lager is many people’s instinctive reaction to a plate of fiery curry and there is a very good reason for that. Well, it works!
As you are enjoying rich, creamy curries, which are more about depth than sheer heat, a light, crisp Pilsner or a classic Indian Pale Lager would round off the meal perfectly, leaving a satisfying aftertaste.
Their high carbonation constantly cleans your palate of the heavy cream and oil. The crispness provides a refreshing, simple contrast without competing with the intricate spice profile of the dish.
However, when dealing with serious spicy contenders, you need something with a little more body and a touch of sweetness to genuinely calm the intense chilli heat. Here, a good Wheat Beer (Hefeweizen or Witbier) can help.
These beers are usually lower in bitterness and alcohol than their hoppier counterparts, and their subtle notes of banana, clove, or citrus go well with the Indian spices.
The effervescence is still there to clean your tongue, but the slight sweetness presents that gentle, necessary relief to the raw, untamed heat in the meal.
- Wine
Pairing wine with spicy Indian food can be tricky, but when it is done right, it is pure magic. The mistake people make with wine is choosing something delicate that gets completely obliterated by the spices.
But, the highly aromatic white wines that have a hint of sweetness, a low alcohol content and beautiful acidity can make your soul and tongue happy and pleased.
A great beverage in this arena is the Off-Dry Riesling from Germany or Alsace. Its slight residual sugar immediately soothes the burn, while its sharp, natural acidity cuts through the richness of any gravy.
Its stone-fruit and floral notes never dull the spices. It is a perfect, almost poetic pairing. Another great, if not slightly bolder, option is a Gewürztraminer. Hailing from Alsace, this grape has an exotic, spicy and perfumed character, displaying lychee, ginger and rose petals.
This wine is so intrinsically spicy and flavourful itself that it does not back down from a dish rich with Indian spices. Its full-bodied nature and subtle sweetness make it a commanding presence that both cools and complements the food.
And, if you are more of a red wine person, try Pinot Noir. It is light-bodied enough to let the spices shine without overwhelming your taste buds.
- Cocktails
The Indian table presents a fantastic opportunity for imaginative mixology, moving far beyond the simple rum and Coke, for those who enjoy a mixed drink.
The cocktails with relatively light and lower in straight sugar content are the best to drink with spicy Indian dishes. The goal is a zesty, invigorating sip that acts as a delightful companion to the meal.
The classic Gin and Tonic is a phenomenal partner. The bitterness of the quinine in the tonic, combined with the herbal, citrus-forward notes of a quality gin, provides a complex flavour profile. A simple squeeze of fresh lime in that G&T is non-negotiable, as the acidity brings it all to life.
A Whiskey Highball with fresh ginger and a touch of soda is a perfect companion for grilled or smoky tandoori items. The subtle smoky flavour of the whiskey complements the char and the ginger adds a lively kick. You can also try Mango Mojito or a Lychee Spritzer for a fruitier cocktail.
Honestly, reading about the great Indian feast is only half the fun. To truly taste the difference a great pairing makes, you should swing by The Madras Diaries. Our fine dining restaurants in Utrecht and Amsterdam bring the best of India to the Netherlands.
The ambience is cosy, the food is authentic, the drinks are refreshing, and the memories are lasting. Come see for yourself. Reserve your table today!
