In most restaurants, people spend a lot of time choosing their steak or ribs and then they just take the first drink that they think of. The same goes for the drinks list at ribs and rumps ringwood particularly given that one of the signature cocktails is actually called The Steak Knife.
This is not a typical cocktail guide that requires knowledge of tasting notes and whisky regions. This is the practical version of it. You have some idea of which foods you want to eat. All you have to do now is to figure out what works best next to it.
At Ribs and Rumps Ringwood, the signature cocktail list is obviously created with their food in mind. Some beverages have been created for rich grilled steaks. Others prefer seafood, spicy appetizers, or a lighter meal. Before taking your first sip, or before you automatically order a beer, it helps to know what you’re ordering.
Why your drink choice Matters at Steakhouse
The food at the Steakhouse is strong. A smoky barbecue sauce, charred meat and sticky sauces require a drink that can truly hold its own. There’s something too light, it goes away after one bite.
Consider ribs glazed in barbecue sauce. A smoky mezcal cocktail extends those flavours and can be a part of the dining experience. A light lager should be refreshing, but not so intense that it overpowers the heavier char and sauce components.
This is true of a rich Wagyu cut, and a dry-aged steak. You want something that will cut through the richness without overpowering the food and resets your palate between bites without overpowering the food, and that balances out the fat.
The drinks menu at Ribs and Rumps Ringwood works very well indeed. The signature cocktails are a part of the menu, and not an afterthought. Pairing cocktails with the best dishes to try in ribs and rumps ringwood can completely change the dining experience.
The Signature Cocktails
The Steak Knife
$27.95 1800 Añejo Tequila, Whisky, Lime, Mint, Ginger Ale & Soda Water
When ordering steak, go here. The name says it all: this drink is designed to help you lose weight. The tequila and whisky pair adds plenty of depth to this cocktail and doesn’t overpower, but lime and ginger keep things fresh in between sips.
This is very effective when used with the:
- 200G Rump
- 300G Angus Scotch Fillet
- This is the 450G Dry Aged T-Bone
The ginger brings out the smoky grill flavours and citrus tones mellow the fat in more fatty dishes. Strong and not too bulky. It’s probably the easiest initiation into the cocktail menu, as it’s typically a whisky or a beer and steak.
This cocktail was named after steak for a reason. It doesn’t feel like it’s there as an aside to the event.
Mamacita
Perfume of Tequila, Cointreau, Lime, Spiced Mead & Tabasco: $25.95 1800
Mamacita is for those who enjoy some spice at the table. Not the type to “take over”. More the kind that revives the meal.
The Tabasco provides a burst of flavor, but not a burn, while the sweetness of the spiced mead helps balance the intensity. It is particularly effective when using food that has chilli or is spiced or fatter in texture.
For this cocktail, it’s best to pair it up with one of the following:
- Chilli Garlic Prawns
- Lamb Ribs
- Karaage Chicken
If you’re a fan of the extra chilli sauce, crispy edges and intense flavours when it comes to dinner, then this one is a no-brainer. It is fun and energetic without being too much!
Smoked & Charred
Mezcal is infused with charred pineapple, cinnamon syrup and lime. Mezcal with charred pineapple, cinnamon syrup and lime.
This is the one you’re going to want to have on your cocktail list. But not necessarily because of the price, it’s just the taste is made for serious steakhouse food.
The mezcal adds natural smokiness, the charred pineapple complements the grill notes from the meat, and the cinnamon adds a heating element that doesn’t make it sweet. It’s rich, dark and just a little dramatic for the best.
This is the cocktail to be ordered with:
- Beef Ribs (500G or 900G)
- Braised Lamb Shank
- Entrée Platter
If anyone at the table desires his beverage to be as outy as the food, it is invariably this. It also seems like the perfect option for birthdays and parties and any kind of dinners you want to choose something you’re not going to be safe with.
Tropical Martini
This is a delicious treat at $26.95, with the choice of Lychee, Strawberry, Watermelon, Mango or Pineapple.
Everyone doesn’t walk into a steakhouse to order red meat. The Tropical Martini is more popular than a whisky-heavy offering if you’re thinking of seafood, salad, pasta or lighter fare.
Best is the flavour option. The drink can be customized according to the mood or at the time of the meal. Mango feels richer. The watermelon is light and cool. Lychee is in the middle.
This cocktail is best paired with:
- Thai Beef Salad (GF)
- Crispy Skin Salmon (GF)
- Pumpkin & Beetroot Salad (V)
- Prawn Spaghetti
It’s probably the most versatile cocktail on the list and often will be the discussion point at the table when everyone begins talking about taste.
The Island
Gin, Vodka, Tequila, White Rum, Triple Sec, Coke & Pineapple $26.95
This is not the sense oriented order. It is the cocktail for the “we’re here for a proper night out.”
The Island is a place for groups, shared starters and tables where no one is certain what they want when someone places their orders for drinks first. It tastes sweet, firm and is easy to drink that is not too serious.
Best enjoyed with:
- Entree Platter ($54)
- Sticky Pork Belly
- Arancini (3 pcs)
This is the cocktail you are going to be drinking before you can get into the booth, and while people are talking. It’s perfect for any occasion, whether you’re throwing a party, serving a crowd or hosting a casual Friday night dinner when you’re still debating your main course.
Premium cocktails worth knowing about
There are several additional cocktails on the cocktail list worth knowing about beyond the signature five.
- Old Fashioned ($24.95): Archie Rose Rye Whisky, Bitters & Sugar Syrup. A good choice to pair with the Dry Aged Ribeye ($147). Simple, robust and steakster friendly.
- Mojito ($24.95) Light and crisp in between the heavier rib courses. If you’re looking for something less serious, mention a Mango, Watermelon, or Strawberry will be added for $2.
- Elderflower Margarita ($24.95) A less potent tequila cocktail than Mamacita. Excellent over a variety of chicken dishes, seafood and salads.
- Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri ($24.95) Casual, fun and perfect for summer visits when you don’t want to make too much of a decision, but want something cold.
Not Drinking Alcohol? You’re Still Covered
Many people attending different tables don’t necessarily want alcoholic beverages, and Ribs and Rumps Ringwood doesn’t have a standard list of soft drinks, there’s a list of mocktails. For the designated driver, the boozer, pregnant or just not a drinker, there is still a great choice.
- Red Lotus ($13.95) – Apple Juice, Lychee Syrup, Cranberry & Grenadine. Slightly sweet and tastes great with salads and lighter main courses.
- Refreshing and minty, Virgin Mojito ($13.95) is a great drink to pair with virtually anything on the menu.
- Lemon Berry ($14.95) – Mixed Frozen Berries, Lemonade, Cucumber & Lime. Excellent pairings with shared starters and Entrée Platter.
- Island Lychee ($13.95) – This is a more sweet and fruity variety that’s a great choice for chicken recipes, children’s meals, etc.
Also available on the menu for younger eaters are milkshakes ($7.95), in the following flavors:
- Chocolate
- Strawberry
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Banana
- Blue Heaven
Quick Reference Guide
Having trouble getting started? Here’s the short version.
- The Steak Knife is a lovely French knife.The Steak Knife is a beautiful French knife.
- Beef Ribs or Lamb Shank – Smoked & Charred
- In the kitchen, you’ll find these items: Lamb Ribs, Karaage or Chilli Prawns – Mamacita
- Salmon, Thai Salad or Pasta – Tropical Martini
- Choose either Shared Starters or Group Tables – The Island.Select either Shared Starters or Group Tables- The Island.
- Dry Aged Ribeye or T-Bone – Old Fashioned – 1600s
- Not Drinking Alcohol – Red Lotus or Virgin Mojito
Outro and Call to Action
It has to be for a reason, as is the cocktail menu at Ribs and Rumps Ringwood. These beverages are created around the food, instead of being additional ingredients alongside the steak menu. The Steak Knife does the trick, as a steak on the grill requires backbone. Smoky ribs belong in the company they’ve chosen, which is smoked & charred.
The next time you go out, order a beverage before you sit down. It’s like an actual experience.
Make a reservation at Ribs and Rumps Ringwood and check out the entire cocktails list prior to your visit to find the perfect match for your next steak evening.