Melba Sauce: The Unexpected Perfect Pairing for Your Mozzarella Sticks

When I first came across an article praising the combination of mozzarella sticks and Melba sauce, I was immediately intrigued. Mozzarella sticks are one of my favorite appetizers, and until then, pairing them with savory marinara was the only logical choice.

It turns out that Melba sauce, a sweet concoction made from pureed raspberries, is the favored dip for mozzarella sticks in the Capital Region of New York.

What Exactly Is Melba Sauce?

Melba sauce, originally created by French chef Auguste Escoffier in the 1890s as a topping for poached peaches and vanilla ice cream, has evolved over the years. For dipping, however, it’s simply the smooth raspberry purée we’re after.

Sara Rizzo, a digital reporter at Albany's 'News 10,' grew up in the Capital Region and wrote a heartfelt tribute to Melba sauce earlier this year. As someone who has always chosen Melba sauce to accompany her mozzarella sticks, she was shocked to discover that this pairing is unique to her hometown. 'I’ve lived in the Albany area my whole life,' she shared with Dinogo. 'Many restaurants here offer both Melba and marinara sauce for mozzarella sticks, but I always choose Melba because it pairs so much better.'

'It’s difficult to find Melba sauce outside of restaurants, which makes me even more eager to enjoy it when I can,' she continued. 'You can get marinara anywhere, and it’s used in so many other dishes like pizza and pasta. That’s what makes Melba sauce special – it’s sweet, and it contrasts perfectly with the richness of mozzarella sticks.'

Where to Find Melba Sauce?

Enter George Stevens, owner of Hula Moon Tiki Grill in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida. Stevens offers a dish at his restaurant that I knew would be a perfect fit. His pepper Jack cheese sticks, a favorite appetizer at the restaurant, are served with Melba sauce.

'The inspiration for this dish came from a trip to Albany in the early ’90s,' Stevens said. 'I decided to make it with a spicier cheese, like pepper Jack, because the spicy cheese and sweet Melba sauce pair so well together.'

What Does Melba Sauce Taste Like?

Curious, I visited Hula Moon Tiki Grill to experience the appetizer myself. Melba sauce has a taste similar to sweet raspberry jam, but with a thinner consistency. Stevens was spot on – the spicy kick from the pepper Jack cheese made for a bold twist on the classic mozzarella sticks, allowing the sweet, fruity notes of the Melba sauce to shine. I left with a container of the sauce to try it with traditional mozzarella sticks at home.

When I decided to give raspberry sauce another go, I air-fried a batch of classic mozzarella sticks and got to work. A long-time fan of the familiar comfort of fried cheese and marinara, I was skeptical. But after the first bite, I couldn’t help but say 'wow.' Rizzo was right: Melba sauce enhances the flavor of mozzarella sticks, and its sweet, fruity essence is a surprising yet perfect match. It’s a revelation when you think about it – cheese and fruit have always been a winning duo on cheese plates and charcuterie boards.

'Marinara and other tomato-based sauces are staples in many dishes, so it’s refreshing to try something different,' said Rizzo. 'My boss actually told me that Melba sauce is unique to this area, and I couldn't believe it. That’s what sparked my deep dive into it, especially since I’ve always been a fan of raspberry sauce.'

Now, I’m a Melba convert myself and hope to see it popping up more on mozzarella stick menus. In the meantime, we can always whip up our own Melba sauce at home using the raspberry base in Chef John’s Melba recipe, and start spreading the dipping trend in our own hometowns (though I’m not sure I’ll ever completely abandon marinara).