Guide to Steak and Whiskey Pairings for the Zero Proof Lifestyle
Steak and whiskey have long been a classic pairing. Big flavors, simple ingredients, and a little ceremony around the table. The thing is, you don’t actually need alcohol to enjoy any of that.
With Ritual Whiskey Alternative, you get the depth, spice, and character of a traditional whiskey cocktail, just made for a zero proof lifestyle. Whether you’re lighting the grill or keeping things simple in the kitchen, it’s easy to pair your favorite cut with a bold, non-alcoholic cocktail that complements every bite.
This guide explores a few of the best whiskey cocktails that go with steak. Each one highlights a different cut and cocktail combo, with flavors designed to complement the meal rather than compete with it. It’s the same ritual, just reimagined.
Why Pair Whiskey Cocktails with Steak?
Steak brings big flavor: charred edges, juicy center, deep umami. It deserves a drink that can hold its own, and whiskey cocktails do that well. They offer spice, sweetness, smoke, and structure that match up with rich cuts of meat. Using Ritual Whiskey Alternative, you still get that classic flavor pairing. The oak, vanilla, and heat are still there. And when combined with citrus, bitters, or syrup, you get a balanced cocktail that fits right in with grilled or pan-seared steak.
Pairing non-alcoholic whiskey cocktails with steak isn’t an imitation. You still get a bold drink in a proper glass. You still get the contrast between sweet and savory, sharp and rich. You just get to skip the alcohol and keep your focus where it belongs: on the food, the company, and the moment.
Ribeye + Non-Alcoholic Manhattan
Ribeye is rich and well-marbled, with a bold flavor that doesn’t need much help. That’s exactly why the Non-Alcoholic Manhattan works so well. It’s a cocktail that brings its own depth; bittersweet, slightly fruity, and layered with spice from the bitters and oak from the Ritual Whiskey Alternative.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
- ½ oz. Ritual Aperitif Alternative
- ½ oz. red grape juice
- 2 dashes non-alcoholic bitters
- Garnish: orange peel and a cherry
How to Mix:
Prepare a chilled cocktail glass. In a shaker with ice, combine ingredients and stir until chilled. Strain over a cherry and garnish with an orange peel.
Why It's a Perfect Pairing: The Manhattan's structure balances the steak’s fat, while the Aperitif Alternative adds a touch of bitterness that echoes the char on the grill.
Filet Mignon + NA Old Fashioned
Filet is tender and delicate compared to other cuts. You don’t want to overpower it, but you still want flavor with character. The NA Old Fashioned brings warm vanilla, spice, and a little sweetness, perfect for enhancing the filet’s mild richness without crowding it.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
- 1–2 dashes non-alcoholic bitters
- ¼ oz. simple syrup or 1 sugar cube
- 1 dash water
- Garnish: orange slice
How to Mix:
In a rocks glass, combine syrup and bitters, add a dash of water, and stir. Add ice, pour in Ritual Whiskey Alternative, and stir again until chilled. Garnish with orange.
Why It's a Perfect Pairing: The Old Fashioned's smooth profile matches the tenderness of the filet, while the hint of citrus lifts the entire experience.
Skirt Steak + Non-Alcoholic Whiskey Sour
Skirt steak brings big beef flavor and a slightly chewy texture. It needs a drink with brightness and acidity. The Non-Alcoholic Whiskey Sour cuts through the richness with fresh lemon and just enough sweetness to balance things out.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
- ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- Garnish: cherry or orange slice
- Optional: 1 egg white or aquafaba
How to Mix:
Shake all ingredients with ice until well combined. Strain over fresh ice in a short glass. Garnish with your choice of citrus or cherry.
Why It's a Perfect Pairing: This pairing is all about contrast. The tartness refreshes between bites, keeping the meal light and sharp.
Pepper-Crusted New York Strip + Ritual Whiskey Smash
A New York strip with a pepper crust has bite, boldness, and just enough fat to carry flavor. The Whiskey Smash is a lively counterpoint: lemony, minty, and herbal, but still grounded in the warmth of whiskey.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
- ¾ oz. simple syrup
- ½ lemon, cut into wedges
- 8 mint leaves
- Garnish: mint sprig
How to Mix:
Muddle lemon and mint with simple syrup in a shaker. Add Whiskey Alternative and ice. Shake hard, then strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with slapped mint.
Why It's a Perfect Pairing: The Smash brings freshness and lightness to a heavier cut. It’s not subtle, but it’s exactly what the steak needs.
Smoked Brisket + Penicillin
If you’re working with smoked meat—think brisket, tri-tip, or even grilled short ribs—you need a cocktail that can hang. Smoked cuts have depth, fat, and slow-cooked intensity. A citrusy drink won’t cut it alone. You need something with spice, heat, and backbone.
Enter the Penicillin. Made with ginger syrup, lemon juice, and Ritual Whiskey Alternative, this cocktail has warmth and complexity that pair beautifully with slow-cooked or smoked beef. The ginger adds just enough kick to cut through the richness, while the whiskey notes echo the deep char on the meat.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- ¾ oz. ginger syrup
- 2 dashes non-alcoholic bitters
- Garnish: orange and/or lime slices, cherry
How to Mix:
Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice. Top with a splash of Ritual Whiskey Alternative. Garnish with citrus slices and a cherry.
Why It's a Perfect Pairing: This pairing is bold without being heavy. It balances smoke with spice and refreshes between bites. Ideal for backyard smokers, slow-cooked dinners, or anyone who treats steak night as a serious occasion.
5 Tips for Setting Up a Zero Proof Steak Night
A good steak and whiskey pairing is more than just what’s in the glass. The small details matter, and they help zero proof cocktails feel intentional rather than like a placeholder. Here are a few simple ways to give the experience a more upscale vibe.
- Use the right glassware. If you’re making a Manhattan, use a coupe or cocktail glass. For a Whiskey Smash, stick with a rocks glass. It’s not aesthetics; presentation helps set the tone.
- Chill your glass. This is easy to skip, but makes a difference. A chilled glass keeps your cocktail cold longer, which matters when you’re sipping slowly with a hot plate of food.
- Don’t skip the garnish. Citrus peels, mint sprigs, cherries: use them. They add aroma, they make the drink feel complete, and they remind everyone at the table that the drink is meant to be there.
- Mix with intention. Don’t rush. Stir where you should stir. Shake when it says shake. The balance and texture of the drink will be better, and so will the pairing.
- Serve with confidence. You’re not “missing” anything by skipping alcohol. You’re just making different choices, ones that still involve steak, whiskey, and a proper glass in hand.
How to Mix the Ritual Non-Alcoholic Old Fashioned
You’ve read about it, now see it in action. Watch how we mix the perfect Old Fashioned using Ritual Whiskey Alternative, with all the depth and balance of the classic. It’s simple, satisfying, and worth seeing for yourself.
Make Your Next Steak and Whiskey Night Unforgettable With Ritual Zero Proof
There’s no rule that says whiskey and steak only belong together when there’s alcohol involved. The flavor, the ritual, the satisfaction, it’s all still there. What changes is the intention behind the glass.
With Ritual Zero Proof’s Whiskey Alternative, you can craft cocktails that hold up to the boldest cuts of meat. So the next time steak night rolls around, try pairing it with a zero proof cocktail that actually fits the meal. You might not miss the alcohol. You might even forget it was supposed to be there.
Shop Ritual Zero Proof online or find a nearby retailer to bring bold, zero proof flavor to your next cocktail pairing. Great steak and whiskey moments don’t need alcohol; just good taste.
Shop All Spirit AlternativesFrequently Asked Questions: Whiskey Cocktails That Go With Steak
Got questions about pairing whiskey cocktails with steak? We’ve got answers; zero proof, full flavor, and straight to the point.
Can I pair a whiskey cocktail with steak if I’m not grilling it?
Absolutely. Whether you’re pan-searing, oven-roasting, or using a sous-vide setup, whiskey cocktails pair well with steak in any preparation. Just match the intensity of the cocktail to the richness of the dish.
Are there whiskey cocktails that go well with steak sauces like chimichurri or peppercorn?
Yes. For herbaceous sauces like chimichurri, go with something citrus-forward like a Whiskey Sour or a Whiskey Smash. For creamy peppercorn or blue cheese sauces, try a spirit-forward cocktail like a zero proof Manhattan.
Do I need special ingredients to make a good zero proof whiskey cocktail?
Not necessarily. Most recipes use simple ingredients like citrus juice, syrup, and bitters. A bottle of Ritual Whiskey Alternative gets you most of the way there, and the rest can be handled by your fridge and pantry.
