Like a Stetson crowns a cowboy’s look, the right drink completes the Texas BBQ experience. The best drinks for Texas BBQ aren’t just refreshments; they’re the perfect partners to elevate slow-cooked meats' bold, smoky flavors and tangy sauces into a mouthwatering masterpiece. From mesquite smoked brisket to ribs, the magic of Texas BBQ truly comes alive with the right beverage in hand.
At Goode Company, we take the guesswork out of pairing. Whether it’s a crisp craft beer, a bold Merlot, or even a zesty margarita, our Goode Company beverage pairings are crafted to stand up to the rich, hearty flavors of our signature sausage, brisket, and ribs. These aren’t just drinks—they’re the secret ingredient to turning your BBQ feast into a gourmet adventure.
So, whether you're raising a pint, swirling a glass of wine, or sipping a refreshing highball, Goode Company’s got you covered. Cheers to BBQ done right!
The Best BBQ Drinks: Classic Ice-Cold Beer Pairings
It’s been said that authentic BBQ is all smoke and beer, and when it comes to Texas BBQ, it’s an art form much like BBQ and beer pairings. Choosing a cold one to pair with your Texas BBQ starts with understanding the interplay of the meat’s flavor and the beer’s profile. Each beer brings something unique to the table, from light, crisp lagers to rich stouts and hoppy IPAs.
If you’re digging into those heartier cuts of meat like our The Pride of Sam Houston platter - featuring jalapeno sausage, pork ribs, and whole brisket - you’ll want a drink that can match the bold flavors.
Here’s what we suggest for your mug or pint:
- Texas Lager: Dark, heavy malt flavor is what you need to match our juicy pork ribs.
- Texas Pale Lager: With a slight bitterness and toasty malt, this brew will go great with our Mesquite Whole Brisket, slow-smoked to perfection.
- Porter: Considered a medium-heavy beer, it hits the spot, balancing those pork sausages without overpowering them.
- Texas IPA: With a lighter, lower-alcohol level, this bitter pale ale is perfect for standing up to the bold tastes of our jalapeno sausages.
Texas Barbeque Drinks: Elevate Your Feast with Wine
Texas-style BBQ ain’t just food; it’s a way of life. With its smoky, savory, and sometimes sweet flavors, it hollers for wines with the guts to stand toe-to-toe with all that Southern BBQ boldness.
We're talking about Goode Co.'s slow-smoked Texas BBQ meats and ribs, Mesquite Whole Brisket, or Mesquite Turkey, all seasoned to perfection and covered in our rich Texas BBQ sauces. You’ll need a wine that’ll hang with all that goodness.
- Texas Zinfandel: Like boots and spurs, that’s how a glass of Texas Zinfandel and BBQ go together. With its black and red fruit flavors, this bold, jammy wine brings a tumbleweed worth of flavors to the table. Add a kick of licorice, spice, and black pepper, and you have a BBQ match in heaven. Hang that next to the smoky, charred taste of the meat, and you’re making every bite Goode!
- Texas Shiraz: With its layers of mocha, tobacco, earth, and savory black fruit core, it sidles right up to the smoky, grilled flavors of any BBQ meat like two peas in a BBQ pod. A Texas Shirax is a rich, full-bodied wine ain’t shy about standing up to bold BBQ flavors, and thanks to its earthy complexity, it adds a whole new depth to every one of your bites.
- Texas Roja: The Rioja, made primarily from Tempranillo grapes, is vying for the spot as Texas’s official wine. Its cherry and plum notes bring a fruity and bright kick to Texas BBQ. Its versatility makes Rioja fit the bill for all Texas BBQ dishes. Its natural acidity and oak-aged backbone cut through the richness of any of our Goode Co. meats, keeping things tasty yet balanced. It’s like a cool breeze on a muggy Texas afternoon, just what you need to round out the BBQ experience.
Craft BBQ Cocktails & Signature Barbeque Drinks
Whether you’re relaxing after a long day or throwing a big old BBQ, there’s nothing better than the savory, smoky flavors of grilled meats and their fixings. That’s why the best way to take the experience up a notch? Pairing it with the perfect cocktail!
These drinks complement those bold, smoky flavors without stealing the spotlight - and pack quite the punch:
- Kentucky Mule: This kicking cocktail has Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, zesty lime juice, and spicy ginger beer. It’s a natural fit for smokey BBQ ribs, creamy coleslaw, corn on the cob, or grandma’s crispy fried chicken.
- Classic Martini: For a bougie cocktail to pair with your Texas BBQ meats, nothing compares to a Classic Martini, with its gin and vodka. It’s the perfect partner for our Sausage Sampler Gift, featuring our signature beef and jalapeño links.
- Spicy Margarita: If you’re fixing to light up your Texas BBQ spread, try a Spicy Margarita with that sweet, sour, and spicy kick. Pair it with our jalapeno sausage, tangy mango salsa, or grilled shrimp. It’s like a fiesta in every sip!
Refreshing Non-Alcoholic BBQ Drinks & Mocktails
Whether you’re skipping the booze on purpose or just want something cool and crisp to sip on the front porch, it’s always a good idea to have a line-up of non-alcoholic mocktails and drinks that don’t feel like you’re raiding the kids’ juice boxes. Any one of these non-alcoholic drinks for BBQ would pair well with Goode’s The Davy Crocket - featuring pork ribs and a complete brisket.
- Peach Lemonade: This fruity drink takes the classic homemade favorite and gives it a slightly sweeter and fruitier twist, perfect for sipping on hot summer days. Whether at your first Texas BBQ or your 100th, it feels like pure sunshine in a glass.
- Roy Rogers: It’s as simple as the famous cowboy’s handshake-just three ingredients: grenadine syrup, cola, and a maraschino cherry. Since the 1940s, this fizzy favorite has been the go-to drink for folks looking for a fun, booze-free sip.
- Iced Tea: Every Texan has their way of making sweet tea, and you can bet they’ll tell you their recipe’s the best-no ifs, ands, or buts about it. The first written recipe for sweet tea was published in 1879, and it became a status symbol drink because of the large amounts of ice and sugar required for it.
Mastering the Art of Barbeque Drinks & Pairings
When it comes to enjoying Texas BBQ, it’s not just about what’s on the plate - it’s about what’s in your glass, too. From beers and bold wines to kicking cocktails and booze-free sippers, the perfect drink will bring out the best of the BBQ with every savory bite.
At Goode Company, we’ve wrangled some of the best BBQ food and drink combinations as bold and flavorful as the Lone Star State. So, whether you’re raising a glass of Texas Zinfandel, sipping iced tea, or cooling off with a Spicy Margarita, keep this in mind: the right drink doesn’t just wash down your meal; it turns it into an experience worth savoring.
Cheers!
FAQ's
What is the best beer to pair with Texas brisket?
The best beer for brisket is a dark Texas Lager or a Stout. The roasted malt profile of these beers complements the smoky "bark" of our Mesquite Smoked Brisket perfectly.
Which wines go best with Texas-style pork ribs?
For bbq wine pairings, look for a bold, jammy Texas Zinfandel or a Shiraz. These wines stand up to the rich marbling and sweet-heat of our Texas Barbecue Ribs.
Can you pair cocktails with Texas BBQ, or is beer better?
While beer is a classic BBQ alcoholic drink, cocktails with BBQ offer a unique complexity. A "kicking" Kentucky Mule or a Spicy Margarita can highlight the spice in our Jalapeño bbq sauce better than a standard lager.
What are the best alcoholic drinks to serve with Texas BBQ?
To balance the heavy, smoky flavors of authentic Texas BBQ, the best alcoholic drinks for it are those with high acidity or carbonation. For a legendary spread like The Pride of Sam Houston platter, we recommend a crisp Texas Lager or a zesty Spicy Margarita to cut through the richness of our Mesquite Turkey Breast and ribs.
Does Goode Company ship Texas BBQ nationwide?
Yes, we ship our signature smoked meats like our Mesquite Smoked Brisket, Texas Barbecue Ribs, sausages, and platters nationwide via trusted carriers with insulated packaging to preserve freshness. Learn more about shipping for our meats and Goode Co pies.
How long does shipping take, and what are the costs?
Standard shipping takes 1-3 business days within the US, with overnight or 2-day options available for perishables. Costs start at around $30-$50, depending on order size and destination, and free shipping is available on select large platters.
Are there any restrictions on shipping BBQ products?
Orders ship Monday-Thursday to avoid weekend delays; some states have restrictions on meat shipping, so check availability at checkout—fresh BBQ cannot be shipped internationally.
What is a good signature cocktail for a BBQ party?
For a crowd-pleasing bbq cocktail, you can’t go wrong with a Kentucky Mule or a classic Margarita. If you’re serving any of our Beef Brisket Sides, a citrus-based cocktail helps cool the palate between bites.