- Sales of dips are up 30% YOY on Waitrose.com
- Searches for dips on Waitrose.com are up 65% in the last month
- Waitrose has a total of 7 NEW dip offerings this summer, each now perfectly paired to a drink and ‘dunking device’ which will elevate it to perfection
For any social gathering, be it completely impromptu or months in the planning, just a few besties in the park or the whole family clan; a good dip selection is a non-negotiable. Dips have exploded in popularity in the UK in recent years, with ever more creative and niche flavours and formats hitting shelves and restaurant menus. But how do we now elevate those dips? What’s the secret to showing them off to their best, pairing them expertly and choosing a tipple that will set them off just right? Waitrose has the answer, with our first ‘dips and sips’ guide to greatness.
Working with our drinks experts and in-house chef team, we’ve curated the ultimate guide to choosing the best drinks and dippers to match each new offering this summer - because sometimes a good dip and something to sip is all you need to make party magic, any time, any place.
Paul Gamble, Senior Brand Development Chef at Waitrose said; “Crisps and a dip used to be the most basic beige thing you could bring to a barbecue, often pushed to the back of the table with the main dishes taking centre stage. Now however, the world of dips offers so much choice and so many exciting flavours, that choosing the best partner tipple for your hero dip of choice can be tricky. We’re here to help ease that confusion, with the ultimate guide to ‘dips and sips’ at Waitrose.
Many of our hero dips are very creamy, packed with flavour, rich and indulgent, so finding a drink or ‘dunking device’ that will stand up to those flavours and textures can take some trial and error. We hope customers enjoy our new offering this summer, and have fun exploring the range of options available when it comes to creating total dip delight at every possible occasion.”
Emilie Wolfman, Innovation Manager at Waitrose added; “We’re increasingly seeing dips and sides as the hero foodie moment of any social meet up, as opposed to the afterthought. The dip is the star and in a world where planning and preparing for a party can feel daunting, picking up some dips and picky bits can please any crowd at a moment's notice. Waitrose shoppers however still want to put that love and passion for food into anything they serve, which means choosing the right toppings, dressings or drinks to go with them. It’s not just a dip after all, it’s a flavour masterpiece, and it’s in the customer's power to elevate it to new heights with this simple bit of know-how!”
Our Summer 2025 Dips and Sips Guide
DIP | SIP | DUNK |
Waitrose No.1 Creamy Pecorino Dip £2.75
Made with pecorino cheese, basil, and topped with a bold and vibrant tomato pesto. | Our Ara Single Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Currently £9) This savvy-b has vibrant stone fruit flavours and accents of punchy aromatic grapefruit which complements the pecorino cheese's salty and tangy notes.
| Dunk it with: Our No.1 Cornish Quartz Cheddar Shortbread (£2.90) Or No.1 Italian Cacio e Pepe Straws (£1.85)
Serving suggestion: This is also the perfect dip to dollop on a tomato and basil salad, drizzle with olive oil and enjoy with a crunchy loaf.
|
Waitrose No.1 Baba Ganoush £2.75
Made with smoky grilled aubergines and creamy tahini. | Our Terre di Faiano Organic Susumaniello Rosé (Currently £8) is a great partner for Baba ganoush because a wine with high acidity cuts through the creamy texture of this dip. Crisp whites and dry rosés are the way to go here, and this Italian wine has the right balance of fruitiness and tangy red-berry to complement the smoky richness of the aubergine.
| Dunk it with: Our NEW Waitrose Summer 2 Hot Honey Flatbread
Serving suggestion: If you want to elevate this dip even further, drizzle it with some of our Cooks’ Ingredients Pomegranate Molasses (£3.60) and wow your guests’ taste buds. |
Waitrose No.1 Whipped Feta Dip £2.75
Made with tangy feta and topped with juicy SunBlush® tomatoes and a drizzle of mint infused oil. | Our Waitrose No.1 Chenin Blanc (£13) also has that high acidity needed to match up to a creamier dip like this whipped feta. The salty ingredients of the dip will be matched well with the stone fruit flavours and layers of melon, grapefruit and juicy white pear within this chenin blanc.
| Dunk it with: Our Beetroot crispbreads with mixed seeds(£2.50)
Serving suggestion: Make a meal of it and top with some smoked salmon and black pepper for a bougie breakfast or easy party nibble.
|
Waitrose No.1 Herby Labneh Dip £2.75
Thick and creamy, made with tangy labneh and mint infused oil. It's topped with crunchy sunflower and pumpkin seeds and fresh parsley. | Our Waitrose No.1 Grüner Veltliner (£12) is super versatile with food. A herby dip like this needs a wine that has refreshing acidity and fruit notes. This wine has fresh nectarine and hints of spice on the nose with vibrant flavours of citrus and orchard fruits.
| Dunk it with: Our Carrot & sweet potato crispbreads with mixed seeds(£2.50)
Serving suggestion: Try adding a drizzle of honey to marry up the crunch of the savory sunflower seeds with the tangy labneh. |
Made with lashings of Parmigiano Reggiano, garlic and mayonnaise with lemon to cut through the creaminess. Finished with Parmigiano Reggiano shavings and fresh parsley. | Tiki Ridge Chardonnay Reserve (£11.00) is a great match for this creamy, salty, umami dip, without being too overpowering. Chardonnay is a strong choice due to its buttery texture and notes of vanilla and oak which meet the flavours in the dip without drowning them out.
| Dunk it with: Our No.1 Italian Rosemary & Sea Salt Focaccia Thins(£2.50)
Serving suggestion: Drizzle over freshly roasted chicken and charred baby gem lettuce to give your Sunday roast an easy summer twist. |
Waitrose Triple Tex Mex Layered Dip £3
A triple whammy. Guacamole made with red chillies and coriander, layered with tomato salsa and a sour cream and chive dip, all topped with cheese and jalapeños. | El Rayo Olarra Crianza 2021 Rioja (£15), This Rioja has complex aromas of raspberry and blackberry fruit balanced by spicy oak notes with a good acidity . This will make a great match for all the spicy yet creamy elements within this Tex Mex dip.
| Dunk it with: NEW Waitrose Summer 8 Wheat & Corn Tortillas(£1.25)
Serving suggestion: Cut the tortillas into triangles drizzle with olive oil and bake in the oven until crisp. Or slather on freshly cooked corn on the cob. |
Waitrose Greek Inspired Dip Trio £3.50
A tzatziki dip with cucumber and Greek yogurt; ktipiti dip made with red pepper and feta cheese; and an artichoke dip with cream cheese. | Zacharias Assyrtiko (Currently £10.40) This wine with its juicy lemon, lime peel and white peach flavours offers the right flavour profile and acidity to cut through the richness of this Greek inspired dip, without overpowering the flavours.
| Dunk it with: Waitrose Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Roasted Garlic Flatbreads (£2.50)
Serving suggestion: Perfect accompaniment to our Greek Style Pork Kebabs (£5), and sprinkled with zatar. |
