Celebrate the season with the perfect wine, beer, and non-alcoholic pairings for your holiday favorites. Whether you’re serving roast lamb on Easter Sunday, matzah at your Passover seder, or nibbling on jellybeans and chocolate bunnies, we’ve got you covered.
🐣 Traditional Easter Foods
🍳 Deviled Eggs
Wine: Prosecco or Champagne – Bubbles cut through the rich yolk and refresh the palate. (Try: Dr. Konstantin Frank Blanc de Blancs)
Beer: West Coast IPA – The hoppy bitterness balances the creamy filling. (Try: Lucky Hare Brewing Co. Who Runs the Word West Coast IPA—all-women brewed)
Non-Alcoholic: Sparkling lemonade or citrus seltzer – Bright acidity works like bubbles to cleanse your palate.
🥗 Spring Salad with Vinaigrette
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris – High acidity complements the tang of vinaigrette and freshness of greens. (Try: J.R. Dill Winery Pinot Gris)
Beer: Witbier – Citrusy and herbal to match fresh veggies. (Try: Lucky Hare Conan the Barvarian Hefeweizen)
Non-Alcoholic: Cucumber or lime-infused water – Crisp and hydrating, perfect with fresh produce.
🍖 Roast Leg of Lamb
Wine: Lemberger or Cabernet Franc – Full-bodied reds with tannins that cut through the fattiness of lamb. (Try: Fox Run Vineyards Lemberger or Lucas Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Franc)
Beer: Scotch Ale or Syrah-inspired brews – Malty depth balances the gamey richness. (Try: Grist Iron Brewing Co. Scotch Ale)
Non-Alcoholic: Blackberry or cherry juice spritzer – Bold flavors mimic a red wine experience.
🍯 Honey-Glazed Ham
Wine: Off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer – Sweetness echoes the glaze while acidity refreshes. (Try: Boundary Breaks Off-Dry Riesling or Wagner Vineyards Gewürztraminer)
Beer: Saison – Earthy and dry, a perfect foil to the ham’s salt and sweetness. (Try: Brewery of Broken Dreams Change of Saisons)
Non-Alcoholic: Apple cider or pear juice – Natural sweetness and a touch of tartness play well with salty meat.
🍗 Herb-Roasted Chicken
Wine: Chardonnay or Viognier – Medium body and floral/herbal notes enhance the seasoning. (Try: Heron Hill Ingle Vineyard Unoaked Chardonnay)
Beer: Pilsner – Clean profile lets the herbs shine. (Try: Steuben Brewing Barva Pilsner)
Non-Alcoholic: Herbal iced tea (chamomile or mint) – Light and botanical to match the chicken’s herbal profile.
🥦 Asparagus with Hollandaise
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Grüner Veltliner – Herbaceous and crisp to match the vegetal notes and creamy sauce. (Try: Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Grüner Veltliner)
Beer: Pilsner – Clean and bubbly enough to refresh the palate. (Try: Steuben Brewing Co. Pedersen Pilsner)
Non-Alcoholic: Lemon-infused sparkling water – Citrus brings brightness without overpowering the sauce.
🥕 Roasted Root Vegetables
Wine: Pinot Noir or Grenache – Earthy reds to match the caramelized sweetness of the roots. (Try: Dr. Konstantin Frank Old Vines Pinot Noir)
Beer: Amber Ale – Toasty malt flavors mirror roasted veggies. (Try: Wagner Valley Brewing Amber Lager)
Non-Alcoholic: Pomegranate juice or unsweetened cranberry blend – Earthy and tart to balance sweet veggies.
✡️ Traditional Passover Foods
Although the suggested Passover pairings are not certified Kosher, they are thoughtfully intended to honor the spirit of the holiday by offering flavor profiles that complement the traditional foods of the Seder and during Passover.
🌿 Karpas (Greens in Salt Water)
Wine: Dry Rosé – Light and refreshing, just like the veggies. (Try: Anthony Road Wine Company Dry Rosé of Cabernet Franc or Dry Rosé of Lemberger)
Beer: Berliner Weisse (for non-observant guests) – Tart and delicate. (Try: Wagner Valley Brewing Company Franc-in-Weizen)
Non-Alcoholic: Strawberry basil sparkling water – Crisp and light with a subtle herbal twist.
🔥 Maror (Bitter Herbs)
Wine: Sweeter style wine – Softens the intensity of horseradish or romaine. (Try: Lakewood Vineyards Abby Rose or Swedish Hill Winery Cayuga White)
Beer: Fruited wheat beer – Mild sweetness tames bitterness. (Try: Finger Lakes Beer Company Watermelon Wheat)
Non-Alcoholic: Sweet grape juice or peach nectar – Cools down the spice and bitterness.
🍲 Chicken Soup (with Matzah Balls)
Wine: Chardonnay – Full-bodied enough to complement the warmth and herbs. (Try: Glenora Wine Cellars Chardonnay)
Beer: Golden Ale – Clean and mild with a soft malt profile. (Try: Brewery Ardennes Belgian Golden Ale)
Non-Alcoholic: Ginger tea or sparkling apple juice – Warmth and spice enhance the broth.
🍖 Main Courses (Brisket, Chicken, Lamb)
Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot – Rich and tannic wines stand up to meaty, hearty dishes. (Try: Lucas Vineyards Cabernet Franc or Idol Ridge Merlot)
Beer: Porter or Bock – Dark beers echo the depth of flavor in roasted meats. (Try: Keuka Brewing Company Imperial Bock)
Non-Alcoholic: Spiced plum juice or pomegranate molasses spritz – Adds depth and richness without alcohol.
🐟 Fish Dishes
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris – Acidic whites cut through the richness of oilier fish. (Try: Lamoreaux Landing Pinot Gris or Hosmer Sauvignon Blanc)
Beer: Blonde Ale or Kölsch – Crisp and not overpowering. (Try: Grist Iron Brewing Blonde Ale)
Non-Alcoholic: Citrus seltzer or coconut water with lime – Bright and palate-cleansing.
🍰 Passover Desserts (Macaroons, Apple Cake, Chocolate Matzah)
Wine: Late-harvest Riesling or Muscat – Sweet and aromatic wines enhance coconut and chocolate. (Try: Weis Vineyards Riesling Ice Wine)
Beer: Chocolate Stout or Milk Stout – Perfect with rich or chocolatey desserts. (Try: Wagner Valley Brewing “Sugar House” Maple Porter)
Non-Alcoholic: Sparkling grape juice or cinnamon apple tea – Adds warm spice and sweetness.
🍬 Easter & Springtime Desserts & Candy Pairings
🥕 Carrot Cake
Wine: Sweeter-style bubbly or late-harvest Riesling – Sweet and lightly sparkling to mirror the spices and sweetness. (Try: Atwater Vineyards Bubble Riesling or Lakewood Vineyards Glaciovinum)
Beer: Barleywine – Rich, complex maltiness enhances the spiced cake. (Try: Ithaca Beer Co. Old Habit)
Non-Alcoholic: Chai or spiced orange tea – Warms the palate and complements the nutmeg and cinnamon.
🐰 Milk Chocolate Bunny
Wine: Bubbly Rosé – Light and fizzy to balance the creaminess. (Try Heron Hill Winery Bubbly Blaufrankisch Rosé Dancing Bear)
Beer: Cream Ale – Soft and smooth to match milk chocolate’s texture. (Try: Scale House Brewing Cream Ale)
Non-Alcoholic: Chocolate almond milk or strawberry soda – Rich and sweet with a playful twist.
🍫 Dark Chocolate Bunnies
Wine: Port or Cabernet Franc – Deep and rich enough to meet the cocoa intensity. (Try: Glenora Wine Cellars Port or Keuka Spring Vineyards Cabernet Franc)
Beer: Imperial Stout – Roasted malt flavors blend with bitter chocolate. (Try: Two Goats Brewing Goatmeal Stout)
Non-Alcoholic: Espresso with vanilla syrup or dark chocolate almond milk – Bitterness and body match dark chocolate.
🍬 Jelly Beans
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc – Acid cuts through the sugar; fruity notes mirror candy. (Try: J. R. Dill Winery Sauvignon Blanc)
Beer: New England IPA – Juicy hops complement fruity jellybean flavors. (Try: Two Goats Brewing Golden Crush)
Non-Alcoholic: Fruit punch or mango sparkling water – Matches sweetness while keeping things fizzy.
🥚 Cadbury Creme Eggs
Wine: Oaked Chardonnay – Creamy texture complements the sweet filling. (Try: Fox Run Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay)
Beer: Brown Ale – Nutty and rich, it balances the gooey sweetness. (Try: Steuben Brewing Co. Brown Ale)
Non-Alcoholic: Vanilla cream soda – Echoes the filling’s creamy nature.
🟣 Whoppers Robin Eggs
Wine: Light and Fruity Red – Fruity and playful to match the malt. (Try: Weis Vineyards Schulhaus Red)
Beer: Bock or Doppelbock – Malt meets malt in this perfect candy pairing. (Try: Wagner Valley Brewing Doppelbock)
Non-Alcoholic: Malta Goya or chocolate oat milk – Sweet, malty, and rich like the candy center.
🐣 Peeps
Wine: Sweet sparkling wine or Moscato – Sugar meets sugar in a light bubbly treat. (Try: Lakewood Vineyards Bubbly Catawba)
Beer: Tart Gose or fruity sour – Contrasts the sugar with tangy brightness. (Try: Scale House Brewing Das Fruity Kettle Sour)
Non-Alcoholic: Strawberry lemonade or pink soda – Sweet and colorful to match the candy.
🥜 Peanut Butter Eggs
Wine: Red Blend – Bold enough to hold its own with chocolate and peanut butter. (Try: 3 Brothers Winery Red Wine Field Blend)
Beer: Chocolate Porter or Peanut Butter Stout – Classic pairing that mirrors candy’s richness. (Try: Abandon Brewing Chocolate Porter)
Non-Alcoholic: Café Mocha – All the flavor, none of the booze.
🧁 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re observing sacred traditions or just enjoying the sweets of the season, don’t overthink your drink. The best rule is to enjoy what you love. But when you’re ready to elevate the table? These pairings will make your springtime meals a celebration to remember.
🥂 L’chaim, Cheers, and Happy Spring! 🌼