7 Surprising Foods That Pair Well With Tequila

The various expressions of tequila pair very well with a variety of foods beyond Mexican dishes.

ERIKZAVALA

Tequila may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about food pairings, but let’s think again. More sommeliers are turning their attention to tequila flights to pair with foods, and high end restaurants are curating tequila pairing dinners to showcase how Mexico’s premier spirit, in all its diverse flavor profiles, pairs surprisingly well with a wide variety of foods beyond the obvious tacos and margaritas.

Depending on the type – blanco, reposado, añejo or extra añejo – each tequila has its own unique flavor profile (think citrus, spice, oak, vanilla, caramel, herbs) which can pair extremely well with complementary flavors in the food. As a rule of thumb, lighter tequilas pair best with lighter dishes, and more complex flavors in aged tequilas will complement richer foods.

Bertha González Nieves, co-founder and CEO of Tequila Casa Dragones, is a passionate proponent of pairing tequila with food. “While we are rooted in Mexican craftsmanship, all of our [tequila]

styles pair well alongside a diverse range of global cuisines,” she says. “We are fortunate to collaborate closely with a number of renowned chefs like Eric Ripert, Thomas Keller, and Elena Reygadas, who enjoy pairing their dishes with our tequilas.”

In fact, González Nieves recently collaborated with her good friend and renowned Mexican chef Daniela Soto-Innes to launch the Casa Dragones Palapa Bar by Rubra, at the W Hotel in Punta de Mita, Nayarit. This new new huerto (farm)-to-bar concept serves tequila flights and cocktails that compliment the cuisine at Rubra, the hyper-local restaurant which Soto-Innes recently opened within the hotel’s grounds.

Some of González Nieves’ favorite pairings from the Palapa Bar menu include:

• Sole ceviche with jícama and chile manzano and passion fruit granita, paired with Tequila Casa Dragones Joven.
• Tuna garden roll with radish, avocado purée, garden herbs, and bluefin tuna, paired with Tequila Casa Dragones Reposado Mizunara.
• Núm Núm basil and chilacayote tostada with jocoque (Mexican labneh) and chilacayote squash, paired with Tequila Casa Dragones Blanco.
• Whey bonbon made with Chontalpa chocolate and whey caramel, paired with Tequila Casa Dragones Añejo.

When pairing tequila with food, whether in cocktails or sipped neat, it’s important to note that there are many different flavor profiles even within the same category of tequila, depending on where the agaves have grown, how the mash is fermented and how it is distilled, among other factors. For instance, a blanco from the Highlands of Jalisco will be sweeter, fruitier and floral, while one from the lowlands will be earthy, spicy, and herbaceous.

So let your tastebuds be the guide as you start your tequila and food pairing adventures. Here is a basic guide to get you going.

Foods That Pair Well With Tequila Blanco

Seafood

The fresh, citrusy and herbal qualities of tequila blanco make it a perfect match for all things seafood. Think ceviche, aguachile or crudo; sushi and sashimi; fish tacos; grilled shrimp or octopus; and raw or cooked oysters. The classic Mexican seafood cocktail with ketchup-based sauce quickly comes to mind, but why not try the tequila as a welcome drink for a Cajun-style seafood boil or New England clam bake for a cool change of pace that will wow your guests.

Salads

Salads are great to pair with a good tequila blanco, and in fact, using the same tequila in the salad dressing would make the match even better. A lime and tequila-based dressing will complement any green or fruit salad, for instance. But even a classic Caesar with its umami rich anchovy dressing will bring the tequila’s savory notes to the forefront.

It may seem like a no-brainer, but salads with fruit like watermelon, pineapple, mango and grapefruit are fabulous paired with tequila blanco, as exemplified in myriad cocktails. And yes, even tuna and chicken salads will go beautifully.

Thai Food

We already know that spicy Mexican food is a traditional complement to tequila, but why stop there when there are many other world cuisines that feature bold flavors. Thai cuisine is a perfect example of thinking out of the box when it comes to pairing tequila. Loaded with fiery chiles, herbs like lemongrass, lime leaves and cilantro, and savory condiments like fish sauce, soy sauce and curry pastes, the flavors of Thai food are a great counterpart to a citrusy or herbaceous tequila blanco.

Try it with a green curry with shrimp and coconut milk for a heavenly match.

Food Pairings For Tequila Reposado

Charcuterie

Next time you serve a cheese or charcuterie platter, try pairing it with a good quality reposado tequila. The salty, fatty flavors of cured meats will bring out the sweetness and spice in the tequila, creating a perfect balance in the palate. For a cheese plate, focus on aged and mature options like Cheddar, Gouda, Parmesan, or Manchego, and even smoked cheeses like Provolone will do a nice reposado plenty justice.

Barbecue

For grilled meats, reposado is an excellent choice. Whether it’s chicken, pork or beef, the smoky flavors from the grill are perfect for pairing with the light wood flavors from tequila reposado. Think pulled pork with a rich barbecue sauce, pork ribs with a slightly sweet and spicy glaze, or steak with chimichurri – they will all benefit from that hint of oak in the tequila. After all, fajitas and tequila are a classic pairing so why stop there?

Foods To Serve With Tequila Añejo, Extra Añejo And Cristalino

Chocolate

Aged tequila is the way to go when it comes to pairing with chocolate. While the flavor profiles of the tequila will vary depending on each producer, showing notes of oak, vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, cocoa and dried fruits, depending on the barrels used and the time the spirit spends maturing in them. Different chocolates will also have different flavors, so experimenting with your favorite tequilas and chocolate will offer a fun opportunity to learn about both. Read what the experts say about these fascinating pairings if you need further guidance.

Flan and Custards

Since tequila añejo must be aged for at least one year in oak barrels, the result is a rich, caramel-like flavor profile which matches beautifully with creamy, vanilla scented flan and custards. In fact, there are recipes for flan that include tequila añejo in the custard or in the caramel sauce that forms at the bottom of the flan. This is truly a match made in heaven.

Take the time to select the right tequila to complement each course and you will discover how tequila makes an excellent pairing with a wide variety of foods.