Pairing Tequila with Food: A Simple Guide for Every Occasion

We’re all tequila lovers here. And, at one point or another, we’ve all wanted to elevate our drinking experience. We started with upgrading our glassware, perhaps. Maybe we’ve tried making a fancy cocktail or two.

One path almost everyone ends up taking is tequila food pairings. Do it right and a world of flavors open up. Do it wrong, even just once, and you’re scared to try again. After all, who likes wasting food and good tequila?

Have no fear. We’re here to talk you through what food goes best with tequila. We’ll start savory and then go sweet - just like you would a meal. 

Tequila Food Pairings Why?

Whoa there. Before we jump straight in, we have to talk about the ‘why’.

Pairing a spirit with food is not just about matching flavors. It is about texture, temperature, and the way aromas evolve in the glass and on the plate. The goal is to make both the food and the drink taste better together than they would alone.

We also know that not everyone’s taste is the same. We could steer you to some of our favorite options, but they aren’t guaranteed to satisfy everyone’s palate, though we did try to come up with a variety.

Knowing this, you are encouraged to see or taste things out for yourself. Read up on your favorite bottles and try to match their flavours to the right plate. This should be fun, not intimidating. 

Contributors to Flavor Pairings

• Barrel Type: Not all wood is created equal. American oak-aged tequila tastes different from one aged in European oak. So, for example, grilled chicken may taste great with one tequila, but taste meh with a different bottle.
• Production Type: Aka small batch or mass production. Small batch bottles can taste smoother, more balanced, and even nuanced based on how they were made. 
• Aging: Some could easily cut down the list to this basic guide:
• Blanco for fresh or raw foods and seafood
• Reposado for grilled or roasted meats and veggies
  Añejo for rich and hearty dishes

The Best Food with Tequila

Savory Options:

• Ceviche - Bright citrus and raw fish need a clean, high-acid partner that refreshes the palate - that would be your tequila.
• Tacos Al Pastor - A little similar because of the freshness of the ingredients, but still works well with agave notes.
• Grilled Skirt Steak - With chimichurri? That pairs beautifully with oak and pepper notes.
• Smoky Chipotle Chicken - Smoke complements smoke - but not one that overpowers.
• Seared Scallop - A chilled, unaged bottle pairs well with seafood. Remember the list above!

Sweet Options:

• Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Treats - Bitter chocolate and salt mirror toasted oak and caramel.
• Flan Or Crème Caramel - Silky custard and caramel sauce pair with vanilla and toffee notes from lightly aged barrels.
• Churros With Chocolate Dipping Sauce - Honestly, it’d be hard to find a drink that doesn’t pair with fried dough and cinnamon sugar.

Snackable Options:

• Spiced Roasted Nuts - When in doubt, bring out the nuts. A staple in tasting parties and bars everywhere, nuts are often part of pairings for good reason. 
• Sea Salt Potato Chips - If you find things overwhelming, know that you can always start with a simple bag of chips. Yes, this is still considered food pairing. 
• Crackers - Mutigain crackers, water crackers, sesame crackers… We’d even add seeded crispbreads to this list. Find your favorites and start there.
• Cheese Board - Another classic. There are many different cheeses and, fun fact, your deli would be happy to make recommendations if you have a bottle in mind.

So, what do you say? Ready to put those tequila dinner ideas to the test?

Check Out - How to Host a Tequila Tasting Night with SWOL: Friends, Flights & Fun

Ways to Help Your Tequila Food Pairings Along

Improve Your Glassware: This is always optional for beginners, but more serious sippers might want to seek out some proper tulip-shaped glasses or small wine glasses to help concentrate aromas.

Find The Right Temperature: Unaged bottles are best when they’re a little chilled. Aged ones are okay at room temp. 

Find Your Flow: Your pairings need to tell a story. One does not simply dive into the middle of a movie and expect to understand what’s going on. The same can be said here.

Consider Cocktails: This can work because it’ll help highlight your tequila and make them better for pairing with certain foods.

What Food Goes Best With SWOL Tequila?

Any meal goes well with SWOL as long as it’s with friends. Raise a glass to good company, great snacks, and the joy of discovering how a well-chosen bottle can transform a meal into an occasion. 

SWOL Tequila knows that whether you are hosting a casual taco night or a fancy dinner, the right bottle will make the flavors sing and the conversation flow.