To say that Bengali food is extensive is perhaps an understatement. As a cuisine, the food of West Bengal is as diverse as the state itself. There is coastal Bengali food, Bengali food from the hilly areas of West Bengal, and of course, Bengali food in the plains. So when setting out to find the perfect Bengali food pairing for alcohol, what should be kept in mind is that there is no one correct answer. Bengali food has so much variety that each region has region has its own popular pairing. So, this unsobered list is just one of the many correct ways to pair this amazing cuisine with some boozy drinks!
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The perfect beer pairing needs to have crispy and salty elements. Fried Beguni is therefore one of the best pairings for beer.
Best Beer For This Pairing: Kingfisher, Bira 91 White, Corona Extra, and Hoegaarden
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Mochh (fish) chop or vegetable chops are savory, spiced, and deep-fried. Dark rums with warm vanilla and caramel notes pair exceedingly well with these spices.
Best Rum For This Pairing: Old Monk, Bacardi Black, Captain Morgan Dark Rum, and Short Story White Rum
A good blended whisky would pair very well with Chicken Kabiraji Cutlet or with a Bhetki Fish Fry. If you do pair it with a bhetki fish fry, do not forget to add lots of kasundi for a pungent kick!
Best Whisky For This Pairing: Paul John, Amrut Single Malt, Monkey Shoulder, Johnnie Walker Black Label, or any other good blended whisky.
Any elevated gin snack needs some tang, freshness, and mustardy elements. For that, fish fingers with kasundi is an excellent choice!
Best Gin For This Pairing: Hendrick's, Stranger & Sons, Greater Than, and Tanqueray
For this neutral spirit, any fish fry would work wonders. However, we recommend enjoying it with fish that has been fried in the Bengali fish fry batter. That just takes it to the next level!
Best Vodka For This Pairing: Smirnoff, Grey Goose, Absolut Citron, and Ketel One
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Also Read: 8 Best Mumbai Street Food Items And Their Best Alcohol Pairings
Fried chicken or chingri (prawns) fry is the perfect Bengali chakna to pair with Tequila. Make sure you squeeze lots of Gondhoraj lemon on top!
Best Tequila For This Pairing: Don Julio Blanco, Patrón Silver, and 1800 Reposado
Now this might irk some Bengalis, but don’t knock it till you’ve tried it! Try some Bhetki Paturi without mustard with your red wine! Just trust us on this one!
Best Red Wine For This Pairing: Sula Dindori Reserve Shiraz, Fratelli Merlot, Jacobs Creek Pinot Noir, and Grover Zampa La Réserve Cabernet Shiraz
Topse fry, which is tender, sweet fish coated in a light, crispy batter, goes really well with a white wine.
Best White Wine For This Pairing: Sula Sauvignon Blanc, Fratelli Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre Domaine Laroche Chablis, and Grover Zampa Art Collection Riesling
Now, Kathi roll might confuse many of you, but again, try before you deny! An egg or chicken kathi roll with rosé is an amazing combination!
Best Rosé For This Pairing: The Source Grenache Rosé (Sula), Fratelli MS Rosé, and Whispering Angel Rosé
You generally need something fatty or deep-fried to balance the acidity. So, a prawn cutlet would be our recommendation for this!
Best Sparkling Wine For This Pairing: Chandon Brut, Sula Brut Tropicale, Prosecco (e.g., Martini or Bottega), Fratelli Gran Cuvée Brut
Also Read: These Are The Best Alcohol Pairings With Mangalorean Food!
As mentioned previously, given how diverse Bengali food is, it would be almost too reductive to say that this is the conclusive list of pairings. So, if you haven’t tried these combinations, you are highly recommended to do so! While some of these combinations might have you narrowing your eyes in suspicion, we promise they’re not all bad! Just give them a try before making up your mind! Above all else, don’t forget to exercise restraint when it comes to alcohol; otherwise, you will see all of this delicious food come straight out the way it went in. Drink responsibly and do not, under any circumstances, drink and drive.
