The art of cocktail pairing can be a delicate art form. The right drink, paired with the right dish, can reveal the hidden flavours and aromas of a dish and vice versa. Get it wrong, and one may find that their drink of choice too overwhelming to appreciate the delicate flavours of the dish. When it comes to Thai cuisine and its rich array of herbal and spicy notes, why not opt for cocktail pairings that feature local Thai herbs to help bring out the best each dish has to offer?
Baan Suriyasai (Michelin Plate)
Pairing: Spicy Pomelo Salad with Mekhong Opchoei (790 THB)
Mekhong Opchoei—this contemporary Thai creation by Baan Suriyasai combines herbal Mekhong rum with a citrusy hint of orange, fresh lime juice and apple juice. The balance between Mekhong rum with cinnamon (opchoei) syrup, clove, and kaffir lime leaves present a mildly sweet cocktail with a hint of warmth from the cinnamon. For a dish that would best match an aromatic drink such as the Mekhong Opchoei, opt for a fruity and refreshing dish such as the spicy pomelo salad at Baan Suriyasai.
Despite its name, the dish boasts a light, well-balanced flavour that impressively showcases the charms of traditional Thai recipes. This Thai salad features an ancient recipe of herbal ingredients that brings out the sweetness of the pomelo and the succulent scallops. Served with fresh betel leaves and an array of hearty fried condiments including crispy pork, Baan Suriyasai’s spicy pomelo salad will delight you with its unique composition of flavours and textures. Paired with an ancient dish of spicy pomelo salad with scallops and bitter orange zest, the two complement each other wonderfully.
OSHA (Michelin Plate)
Pairing: Phla ‘Fine de Claire’ Salad with Mekhong X OSHA (599 THB)
The cocktail Mekhong X OSHA appeals to those with a penchant for Spice Rum. The drink features a refreshing flavour of coconuts and a sweet and tangy note from pineapple that surprisingly combines well with the herbal and spicy Mekhong rum. This drink is best paired with a spicy oyster salad such as the OSHA’s Phla ‘Fine de Claire’ Salad, whose sweet, spicy and tangy notes are balanced out with the cocktail’s sweetness. With phla being a type of Thai spicy salad, it naturally features herbal ingredients such as lemongrass, Thai shallots, kaffir lime leaves and mint leaves—ingredients that complement the flavour of the Mekhong X OSHA cocktail. For this menu, roasted rice has also been added to provide more texture to the dish, as well as bring out the aroma of the rum in the cocktail.
Saneh Jaan (One Michelin Star)
Pairing: Pomelo Salad with Crispy Shrimp and Minced Pork with Thai Margarita (750 THB)
A signature dish at the restaurant, Saneh Jaan’s pomelo salad with crispy shrimp and minced pork has showcased a combination of savoury, tangy, spicy and sweet flavours with its special recipe of tamarind juice, palm sugar, and chilli paste. The harmonious combination of flavours makes it a good match for the restaurant’s Thai Margarita. This cocktail carries a sweet and tangy flavour created from a blend of lime and passion fruit juice with Mekhong rum and tequila before shaken with chilli ice cubes. Prior to serving, the glass is rimmed with the sweet Thai-style salt and pepper for that salty hit that pairs well with the pomelo salad.
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