The Best Type Of Wine, Beer, And Cocktail To Drink With Crab Cakes

There's nothing more welcoming than a spread of classic Maryland crab cakes on a large plate, adorned with lemon wedges and signature sauces — whether it's remoulade, cocktail, or tartar. The cakes, which consist of crab meat combined with bread crumbs, eggs, and other ingredients, are quite popular in the United States. But this is especially true on the Mid-Atlantic coast, where the dish has become emblematic of the region's crabbing industry. Maryland, in particular, has taken on the crab as an icon of its state.

And there's no wonder why Marylanders love this iconic dish. Crab cakes are a flaky, moist, and delicious addition to almost any meal, and they can stand on their own as the main course as well. A crab cake dinner is the perfect remedy to a dull winter evening and the perfect treat after a hot summer day. However, you might just find that your plate of crab cakes could use an alcoholic accompaniment.

But what drinks go best with crab cakes? From beer to wine and even cocktails, you might find yourself at an impasse when trying to pair a beverage with this dish. After all, it can be challenging to find the perfect complement to the crab cakes' light and flaky taste. Should you choose a drink that indulges the food's brinier impulses, or is an acidic citrus-based drink the best way to brighten up the flavor? Look no further to find your perfect crab cake pairings.

It is general guidance to pair seafood with white wine. So, it might not come as a surprise that the best wines to pair with crab cakes are of the white variety. If you're looking for a bright citrus addition to your indulgent serving of crab cakes, a sauvignon blanc would make a solid choice. Sauvignon blanc is known for its acidity and citrus notes, which makes a great companion to a plate of crab cakes, much like a squeeze of lemon overtop the buttery, delicious dish.

Speaking of butter, perhaps you would like to highlight the richer qualities of the crab cakes instead. In this case, serving chardonnay might just be your best bet. Chardonnay adds a level of creaminess to crab cakes, thanks to its oaky flavor profile and often buttery taste. This is a great choice for those who prefer a wine with more body.

Then again, maybe you're a rebel, and you insist on having your red wine and drinking it, too. Although it's more common to pair seafood with white wine, some red wines actually might make a great companion for your crab cakes as well. Lighter-bodied reds such as gamay can be an excellent pairing, and it can be served chilled for an extra level of refreshment. Pinot noir is also a fantastic choice since it's a lighter-bodied red with an earthy taste, which can add more depth of flavor to your crab cakes.

Maybe wine isn't exactly your cup of tea, and you'd prefer a nice beer to pair with your crab cakes instead. Well, you're in luck, because beer and crab cakes are actually a match made in heaven. But which beers pair best with this seafood staple? Like wine, beer varies in its flavor profile and body. Knowing the different aspects of each beer type can help you make the best choice for your crab cakes.

If you're looking for a surefire win, a pilsner is always a good choice. This hoppy beer has some bitterness and a bit of citrus flavor, making it a wonderful pairing for a rich dish like crab cakes. Classic wheat-style beers such as hefeweizen also make a wonderful accompaniment, as they have a dry and somewhat tart flavor.

Or, you might want something a little bolder. In this case, you might want to try a Gose, which is a tart sour beer that can easily cut through the richer flavors of crab cakes. And an IPA, with its signature bitter flavor, can also provide a striking contrast to the creaminess of this dish.

Maybe you aren't in the mood for chardonnay or an IPA, and you're after a nice cocktail to go with your crab cakes instead. As with beer or wine, your choice of cocktail should be guided by the aspect of your crab cakes that you would like to highlight. A bold drinker might pair their crab cakes with a dirty martini. This drink, which features gin and a pour of olive juice, can bring out the briny flavor of the crab, making for a salty and delicious experience.

Then again, you might want something more crisp. As mentioned above, gin pairs well with crab cakes, since its clean floral taste plays with the complexities of the dish. A bold gin and tonic (with a good squeeze of lime) provides a potent citrus taste that can create the perfect punctuation for seafood. Other classic cocktails — such as Bloody Marys and Moscow mules — also make for great crab cake companions, though these cocktails are traditionally served with vodka.

However, this is not to say that you can't indulge in darker liquors with this signature dish. Whiskey, either served neat or poured into an old-fashioned, can also make for an interesting pairing to crab cakes. The slight caramel notes can help to bring out the natural sweetness of your crabs. To top things off, orange bitters and a twist of orange rind can add a wonderful citrus accompaniment that will make your crab cakes sing.