Pairing Spirits with Food: The St. Duke’s Dinner Experience

Find out how to make every meal better with the help of St Duke's spirits. Check out the perfect combinations for gin, whiskey, and vodka for the best dinner experience.

A Toast to Flavor and Balance

At St Duke's Distillery, we understand that amazing spirits is for sipping and savoring. Whether you're having dinner at home or a fun night with friends, the right combination of food and spirits will enhance the experience.

Just like a good wine, our spirits are made with great care, and we are sure that they will be the perfect compliment to the right food. Here is how to create a St Duke's Dinner Experience by adding one course and one spirit at a time.

1. The Opening Act: Gin & Fresh Starters

Pairing: St Duke's Gin + Citrus or Herb-Based Appetizers

Our small-batch St Duke's Gin, infused with bright botanicals and a hint of citrus, goes great with light and fresh starters which include:

• Smoked salmon with lemon and dill cream
• Caprese skewers with basil and balsamic glaze
• Cucumber and mint crostini

The gin's botanicals emphasize the herbs and greenery on the plate, and the crisp juniper notes cleanse the palate perfectly before the next bite.

Tasting Notice: A classic Gin & Tonic with a splash of grapefruit is a great way to accentuate the fresh, herbal notes.

The Main Course: Whiskey & Savory Classics

Pairing: St Duke’s Small Batch Whiskey + Rich, Hearty Dishes

The whiskey in this pairing was designed to complement the oak aged classic with a smooth caramel and vanilla finish. It works especially well with bold flavors and savoy mains. Great pairings would include:

Grilled steak with peppercorn sauce

Slow-cooked barbecue ribs

Mushroom risotto or truffle pasta

The warmth from the oak aged whiskey adds nice complexity to roasted and smoky dishes. Each sip cuts through the richness while enhancing the flavors in the dish.

Tasting Note: It works well served neat or in an Old Fashioned which pairs well with a robust dish.

2. The Wild Card: Vodka & Versatility

Pairing: St Duke’s Vodka + Crisp, Clean Flavors

Simplicity, too, tells a story. St Duke’s Vodka, distilled for purity and smoothness, beats with the light, modern dishes.

Seared scallops with lemon butter.

Chicken Caesar salad with a hint of anchovy.

Sushi or poke bowls with soy and ginger.

Vodka’s neutrality captures and reveals food’s inner essence. It highlights subtleness, texture, and saltiness in the food, especially with fresh greens and seafood.

Pro Tip. For a clean, elegant pairing, St. Duke’s Vodka is best enjoyed chilled with lime or in a Vodka Martini.

3. The Sweet Finish: Dessert & a Spiritous Nightcap

Pairing: St. Duke’s Cask-Aged Spirit + Chocolate or Caramel Desserts

End your meal in the best way possible. A cask-aged gin or whiskey paired with lavish desserts such as:

Dark chocolate mousse.

Salted caramel tart.

Vanilla bean crème brûlée.

The oak and spice of the whiskey complement the desserts beautifully and the warmth of the spirit lingers as it smooths out the finish.

Pro Tip. The best finale for the St. Duke’s dinner experience is the Whiskey Espresso Martini.

4. The Perfect Pairing: Company

No dish may enhance a fine spirit more than the company with which it is shared.

At St Duke’s Distillery, we make fine spirits for people to gather and celebrate — to share laughter and toast to the little and big moments of life.

Whether it is a romantic dinner, a weekend get-together, or a larger celebration, raise a glass, make the moment memorable, and toast again!

Create-your-own St Duke’s Dinner Experience

Would you like to elevate your pairing skills even more? Visit St. Duke’s Distillery for a guided tasting or seasonal pairing dinner. Our team will take you through the flavor notes and food matches, and teach you how to create a fine dining experience at home using St. Duke’s spirits.

Book your experience today for a celebration of the finest food and spirits and create priceless memories.

St Duke’s Distillery — crafted to be shared.