Best Cocktails for a Steak Dinner

Love a tender, juicy, perfectly cooked steak? What about a great cocktail? Then you’re in the right place because at Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, we’re big fans of pairing our signature steaks with complementary cocktails! Whether you’re a fan of mixed drinks, beer, or wine, we’ve got something on the menu to suit every palate and every type of steak we serve.

Which cocktails pair best with a juicy slab of steak? Read on for our top six picks.

1. Dry Martini

Classic and unfussy, a dry martini allows the decadent flavors of your steak to really shine. This gin- and vermouth-based cocktail is light and crisp and functions almost as a palate cleanser, which helps keep a steak dinner from feeling too heavy. Ideally, you’ll want to pair a dry martini with a leaner cut of beef for the best flavor complement.

What about a dirty martini? It can work, but you’ll need to be specific about how you order it. Often, dirty martinis contain too much salty olive brine, which can negatively affect the way your steak dinner tastes. If you tend to prefer the dirty version, be sure to ask your server to have the bartender go super light on the olive brine so it doesn’t overpower the taste of your steak.

2. Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is one of the most well-known and loved classic cocktails in the world, and it happens to pair wonderfully with a generously marbled steak. High-quality rye whiskey makes this particular cocktail an excellent pairing for a juicy slab of beef due to its richness and depth, which provide a perfect balance for a fattier cut’s flavor profile.

Zesty orange peel, Angostura bitters, and sugar round out the taste experience, which will leave your palate perfectly prepped for each juicy bite.

3. Whiskey Sour

If rye’s a little too intense for your taste, this slightly lighter, bourbon-based cocktail may be a little more up your alley. It features fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, frothy egg white, and a dash of Angostura bitters — a combo that pairs excellently with any steak’s rich, deep flavors. The whiskey sour is light enough to contrast the heaviness of the meat and has just enough depth to complement its richness.

If you want to try something a little different but in the same vein, ask your bartender to add a couple of ounces of pineapple juice, if possible. The sweetness of the pineapple balances the acidity of the lemon juice, resulting in a slightly sweeter cocktail that makes for a super interesting flavor complement for any cut of steak.

4. Bloody Mary

Want something a little bolder with your steak? A Bloody Mary it is. Although this cocktail is particularly savory, if you order it right, it won’t overwhelm the flavors of your beef. Rather, it’ll add an interesting tang and brightness to your dinner that’ll create a super flavorful taste experience that carries through each sip and juicy bite.

Ask your bartender to go easy on the Tabasco and/or horseradish to tone down the spiciness of the drink so it doesn’t overwhelm your taste buds between your decadent morsels of beef.

5. Manhattan

The Manhattan, another whiskey-based cocktail featuring Angostura bitters, also provides an excellent complement for steak. While rye whiskey is the traditional choice, bourbon works great too, delivering a slightly sweeter, more mellow taste experience.

Rye, on the other hand, is a bit spicier, making it a fantastic choice for those who prefer a little more of an aggressive, intense drink. Whether you opt for bourbon or rye, the Manhattan pairs particularly well with bone-in New York strip, but it also tastes amazing alongside sirloin.

6. Sidecar

This cognac-based cocktail is almost like a lighter, fruitier take on the whiskey sour. In addition to cognac, the sidecar features orange liqueur and lemon juice, a combination that results in a slightly dry, tart libation that nicely complements the rich, deep flavors of just about any steak. Ideally, you’ll want to pair this cocktail with a leaner cut, but if you’re a fan of a little more marbling and you like cognac too, this Prohibition-era favorite won’t disappoint.

Come By Cattlemen’s Steakhouse for the Best Cocktails in OKC!

Craving a good cocktail with your steak? Then come on down to Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in OKC for a steak dinner you won’t easily forget! We’re open seven days a week for dinner, and our historic dining room is the best place in Oklahoma City to get a solid meal and a stiff drink! We look forward to serving you!