The History Of The Hamburger And What To Drink With It

28 May marks International Hamburger Day. The origin of one of the world’s most favourite menu items is not very clear.

Let’s start at the beginning of the 15th century, when minced beef was a valued delicacy throughout Europe. According to a trustworthy source, hashed beef was made into sausage in several different regions of Europe.

In the 1600s, ships from the German port of Hamburg, Germany began calling on Russian port. During this period the Russian steak tartare was brought back to Germany and called “tartare steak.”

In the late eighteenth century, the largest ports in Europe were in Germany. Sailors who had visited the ports of Hamburg, Germany and New York, brought this food and term “Hamburg Steak” into popular usage. To attract German sailors, eating stands along the New York city harbor offered “steak cooked in the Hamburg style.”

Today, this hamburger patty is no longer called Hamburg Steak in Germany but rather “Frikadelle,” “Frikandelle” or “Bulette,” orginally Italian and French words.

Pour yourself a drink before you tuck in!

Now that we have that covered, let’s move onto the more important questions: What is the best drink to enjoy with a hamburger?

WINE


It might surprise you to hear it, but a serious red wine is a really good match for a burger. Sauces and ketchup have a sweetness that can strip the fruit out of lighter, drier reds so stick to riper wines.

COCKTAILS

Another surprise drink that pairs well with a burger is a Manhattan cocktail. The sweet/strong combination of whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters is just perfect with a gourmet burger.

MILKSHAKES


Did somebody say milkshake? How could one resist a creamy ice-cold milkshake? Not that strawberry or chocolate is really a good match for beef but who cares? It’s the ultimate comfort drinking!