With the arrival of hot weather, meals become more spontaneous, fresher, and lighter. We gather around large colorful salads, grilled vegetables, sun-drenched tomatoes, or Mediterranean dishes to share in the shade of trees or on a terrace, when the air finally becomes softer at the end of the day.
And with this heat, preferences in drinks also change. Overly strong or alcoholic pairings often give way to fresher, more digestible, and more thirst-quenching beverages. We seek more freshness, fruitiness, tension, and sometimes even lighter alternatives that allow us to enjoy the meal without feeling heavy.
Profiles with notes of citrus, fresh fruit, saline finishes, or delicate bubbles then perfectly accompany summer flavors: olive oil, fresh herbs, sun-drenched vegetables, lemon, or barbecue grilled items.
Here are our favorite pairings for the season's essentials.
Niçoise salad / Classic rice salad
For these fresh yet flavorful dishes, Aria II, the non-alcoholic zesty drink, is a particularly apt pairing.
Light, dry, and fruity, it perfectly complements crispy vegetables, tuna, olives, and Mediterranean herbs. Its freshness provides great balance and naturally extends the summery character of the dish.
A simple, refreshing, and obvious pairing for the hottest days.
Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh immediately calls for very fresh and easily digestible pairings.
Riva perfectly complements the fresh herbs, lemon, and vegetal freshness of the dish thanks to its tension and notes of fresh fruit.
For an even livelier and more explosive citrus version, Aria II, the non-alcoholic zesty drink, served very cold, will be ideal.
Octopus salad
With an octopus salad with olive oil and lemon, Riva, the non-alcoholic land-sea drink, works wonderfully.
Its notes of fresh apples and its saline finish naturally recall the marine universe of octopus and enhance all the freshness of the dish.
If the preparation becomes spicier or more intense with paprika, tomato sauce, or spices, Tierra, the non-alcoholic vegetable drink, will take over with more depth and structure.
Melon with cured ham
Aubera II, the original non-alcoholic sparkling drink, brings a lot of finesse and lightness here.
Its herbaceous profile awakens the sweetness of the melon, while the bubbles delicately balance the richness of the cured ham.
For an even fruitier and more thirst-quenching pairing, Aria II, the non-alcoholic zesty drink without bubbles, also works very well.
Ratatouille
With its fruity notes and slightly spicy finish, Tierra, the non-alcoholic vegetable drink, perfectly accompanies the aromatic richness of ratatouille.
Its freshness allows it to maintain a lot of balance despite the generosity of sun-drenched vegetables and olive oil.
Tomato mozzarella
Tierra, the non-alcoholic vegetable drink, works particularly well with the creamy sweetness of mozzarella and the slight acidity of the tomato.
Its fruity notes prolong the freshness of the dish while its roundness perfectly accompanies the texture of the cheese.
Pesto burrata tartines
Burrata primarily requires freshness and lightness in the pairing.
Aria II, the non-alcoholic zesty drink, brings a lot of fluidity here thanks to its fresh, fruity, and digestible profile. It gives full play to the creamy texture of the burrata while extending the very summery aspect of the dish.
Grilled vegetables on the barbecue / Vegetable tian
The citrus and fruit notes of Aria II, the non-alcoholic zesty drink, perfectly counterbalance grilled flavors, spices, and slightly sweet-savory marinades.
A bright and particularly refreshing pairing for summer barbecue meals.
Marinated meat skewers
Served slightly chilled, Pyra, the non-alcoholic woody drink, reveals a beautiful fruity and woody complexity that perfectly complements the grilled flavors of the skewers.
The tannins pair particularly well with meat juices, especially when cooked rare.
On hotter days, Tierra, the non-alcoholic vegetable drink, will offer a lighter and more thirst-quenching alternative.
In conclusion
Summer naturally changes the way we eat, but also the way we drink. With the heat, pairings gain in freshness, lightness, and digestibility.
Around large salads, sun-drenched vegetables, and shared dishes, fresh, fruity, and sometimes less alcoholic drinks find their perfect place. They extend the pleasure of the meal without dominating it and fully contribute to that feeling of freshness we so crave during the beautiful season.
To go further:
- what to drink with a cheese board
- what to drink with pizza
- what to drink with couscous
