Your Drinks Deserve Better Crisps: A Food Journalists Pairing Guide
These days, there are probably thousands of crisps, from earthy to herby to smoky to sweet to spicy and everything in between. Our most beloved party snack has overwhelmed us with choice in the best way possible. This party season, we invite you to try a little experimentation.
Every drink or pour has a compatible flavour profile. Some wines pair with fishy palettes, some beers with cheese. Practice with pairing and introduce a bit of thought into your party spread. Inspired by Neil Ridley and his book The Crisp Sommelier, we’ve put together a short list of some of our favourite pairings.
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Champagne & lightly salted
Few pairings are as reliable as champagne and ready salted crisps. The bubbles cut through the salt, the salt sharpens the wine, and neither asks too much of the other. It’s elegant in its simplicity and proof that luxury does not always need embellishment. Don’t overcomplicate this one.
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Negroni & rosemary
The Negroni already does a lot of work. It’s bitter from Campari, sweet from vermouth and holds this herbal backbone from the gin. All of this needs space to breathe when it comes to pairing. Rosemary crisps complement that structure without disrupting it, picking up on the juniper and herbal notes while staying firmly savoury and light. The key is restraint, I mean well-seasoned, not overly oily, and never sweet. Think enhancement, not competition.
Cider & barbecue
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Cider’s natural sweetness and bright acidity make it incredibly bar snack-friendly, especially with smoky flavours. Barbecue crisps lean into that relationship, balancing sugar, salt and spice in a way that amplifies cider’s orchard fruit notes. The result feels nostalgic and comforting, like a summer cookout remembered in all seasons, with the spice dialled just high enough to keep interesting.
Pinot noir & truffle
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Pinot Noir, particularly from cooler climates, carries an earthy, savoury elegance that benefits from a bit of umami. Truffle crisps echo those forest-floor notes while adding richness and texture. It’s a pairing that feels a bit more grown-up, turning a casual snack into something closer to a wine bar moment.
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Aperol spritz &
extra virgin olive oil
The Aperol Spritz thrives in aperitivo territory, where salinity and richness matter just as much as freshness. Extra virgin olive oil crisps bring a savoury depth and gentle fattiness that softens Aperol’s bitterness and rounds out the drink. A little grease on the fingers is encouraged here, making the spritz feel more indulgent and less purely refreshing.
Rosé & prawn cocktail
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Sweet styles of rose pair surprisingly well with prawn cocktail crisps. The tomato tang and subtle sweetness play off rose’s red fruit and flora notes, creating a light, playful balance. It’s slightly retro, undeniably nostalgic, and works far better than it should
Paloma & jalapeno
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The Paloma is all about balance with citrus, tequila and a gentle bitter grapefruit. Jalapeno crisps introduce head and vegetal notes that slot neatly into that profile, enhancing the lime and sharpening the drink’s freshness. The spice shouldn’t overwhelm; it should warm the palate just enough to make each sip feel brighter and more expressive.
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Pinot grigio & lightly salted
Pinot Grigio is crisp, citrus-forward and refreshingly understated. Lightly salted crisps provide texture and contrast without pulling focus from the wine. There’s no need for heavy seasoning here, just enough salt to highlight the wine’s brightness and keep the palate clean between sips.
Lager & poppadoms
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Strictly speaking, not a crisp, but it is too good to ignore. Cold lager and poppadoms is pure pub table joy. The carbonation refreshes, the spices wake up the palate, and the crunch keeps you reaching back for both. Think Cobra, stack of salty poppadoms, and a perfect pub table.
Gin + tonic & salt + vinegar
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This pairing works because it brings together two iconic duos to make an even more iconic duo. Gin and tonic is complex yet clean, botanical yet refreshing. Salt and vinegar crisps mirror that clarity with acidity and seasoning that sharpen the drink’s edges without masking its flavour. Two classics meet in the middle, making it a familiar, dependable, and perfect pairing.
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