Mexican food isn’t just about pairing nachos with margaritas. Whether you’re stocking up the fridge for a party or just enjoying a weekend with friends, we’ve got you covered when it comes to choosing the perfect drinks to complement a Mexican feast. So dust off your sombrero and get your shot glasses out, because it’s time for a fiesta.

Wine

A new perception of pairing wine with Mexican cuisine has taken shape.  Like with any other type of pairing, it requires an understanding of the elements at play. Ceviche and other raw seafood dishes lend themselves to white or Rosé wines. It’s important to look for a light wine that will not overpower the raw seafood’s delicate profile. As for cooked seafood, dry white wines tend to will bring acidity to cooked fish and just enough fruit so as to not overpower the protein.

Beer

Just like a well-made sauce can improve a dish, a well-paired beer can make any meal just a bit more awesome. Some of Mexico’s greatest culinary hits are creamy and cheesy. When it comes to beer, hoppy American Pale Ales and IPAs will go down a treat, their resin notes are a perfect complement to rich cheeses. When it comes to extra-spicy Mexican dishes, it’s important to steer clear of three main beer characteristics: excessive bitterness, high levels of carbonation, and elevated alcohol levels. All three will intensify spicy heat, potentially throwing the dish out of balance in an unpleasant way. Malty beers are your best bet here.

Michelada

Think of a Bloody Mary but with a beer base. This beer cocktail with lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce and spices is the obvious go-to beverage for Mexican food. Michelada goes perfectly with shredded pork stew spiked with smoky chipotle tomato sauce.

Margaritas

While we love an ice-cold beer with our carnitas, nothing goes with the traditional Mexican meal quite like a well-balanced Margarita. There’s a reason why “tequila lime shrimp” has been a thing for so long. The zesty, tangy flavour of tequila and lime pairs perfectly with the shrimp’s toothsome texture, especially if it has a twinge of smoke from the grill.

Sangria

Sangria spiked with bourbon and topped off with a splash of sparkling water is truly a great match as far as Mexican flavours go. The fruity characteristics in Sangria make for the perfect pairing with Tacos or really any Mexican spiced foods.