Dry Jan: Food experts share the best non-alcoholic pairings with different types of meat and fish

According to Alcohol Change UK, 15.5 million Brits* are planning to take part in Dry January this year, committing to a month-long break from alcohol. January is often a challenging month, with cold weather, post-Christmas blues, and a long wait until payday—making it hard for many to resist the temptation of a drink.

However, online butchers, Campbells Meat have revealed the best non-alcoholic pairings for a number of different types of meat and fish so you can still get plenty of enjoyment out of your food this January, helping you to stay on track when it comes to your Dry Jan goals.

Pair fish with a refreshing lemonade

The fresh, tartness of lemonade pairs perfectly with fish and seafood such as salmon, prawns, and white fish such as cod. It’s common to sprinkle a fish dish with fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavour and counteract the natural salty taste, and pairing your fish with a glass of refreshing sparkling lemonade is no different.

Beef and berries for a booze-free twist 

Typically, you would choose to pair beef with a bold red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon, but the experts say cranberry juice is a great non-alcoholic alternative. The natural combination of sweet and bitter flavours found in cranberries contrasts well with the richness of beef. Not only that, but cranberries contain tannins, the same ingredient found in wine that can make the drink feel more dry.

Zesty mocktails to pair with lamb

When you’re taking part in Dry January, you don’t have to feel like you’re missing out when it comes to creative and colourful cocktails. In fact, the food experts at Campbells Meat say that a non-alcoholic mojito or alcohol-free Italian spritz would pair well with your lamb meat. The minty flavours found in a mojito cut through the richness of the lamb, whereas the bitter orange flavours found in an Italian spritz would complement the herbs and spices to accompany your lamb.

Pork and apple, a match made in heaven

Pork is often paired with apple because the naturally sweet, tangy flavours of this fruit perfectly balance the rich meat, and it’s no different when finding a non-alcoholic drink substitution. The food experts recommend pairing pork dishes with a refreshing glass of apple juice, either fresh or cordial-based to create a delicious sweet and savoury taste profile.

Keep chicken cool with refreshing flavours 

Because chicken meat has a particularly mild flavour, there are a number of non-alcoholic options to choose from. The food experts at Campbells Meat recommend trying fruit juices such as orange, apple or cranberry. Refreshing flavours of sparkling water would also work well with chicken, as would a cool glass of iced tea.