When it comes to pairing, we automatically think of wine . After all, in most parts of the world, over the years, it has been the most widespread, prestigious, and consumed beverage. But craft beers, mixed drinks, spirits, and coffee are increasingly taking over the space that was once almost entirely occupied by wine.
Quetzalli, a mixed drink made with all-natural white tequila , is no different from the aforementioned, and has a guaranteed place in the pairing. Like any other drink, Quetzalli's body and flavor can be intensified, reduced, or even canceled out when paired with certain foods. To pair it and experience the best effects of the pairing, it's important to consider a few criteria. Here, we'll present the foods that pair best with Quetzalli. Follow along and join us on this culinary journey.
How does the harmonization technique work?
Before explaining which foods Quetzalli pairs well with, it's important to understand a little about how the pairing technique itself works. Pairing consists of combining the beverage that, in a balanced way, best complements the food being consumed. The crucial point is to not let the beverage overpower the food, nor make the beverage obsolete in the meal. A link must be created where the two elements complement each other and help highlight the characteristics of each.
There are basically two types of pairing: classic and modern . Classic is based on studies that follow pairing standards, seeking to balance the elements. Modern allows you to drink what you like with your chosen or favorite food. The latter is used in most cases when you don't know what works best with a particular drink or have access to specific ingredients.
Here, we're considering the classic pairing, but it's worth noting that, after the initial tasting, you can enjoy a glass of Quetzalli on almost any occasion. In Brazil, a tropical country, this refreshing cocktail provides a happy ending every day, year-round.
What does Quetzalli taste like?
After tasting Quetzalli, we immediately noticed the abundance of fruit , very tropical and fresh, along with the tequila's potency, which is not very alcoholic but evident. Finally, we noticed a sweet tone very similar to sugarcane molasses, which comes from the agave found in Quetzalli.
I didn't find any interference from chemical components; everything was very clean in terms of smell and taste. Visually, it has the natural color of the fruit itself.
Upon first taste, you'll notice the striking acidity of the lime and passion fruit , the medium body with the balance of the tequila, and the sweetness of the agave syrup. When it comes to acidity, one of the biggest advantages is that it cleanses the taste buds. Therefore, the drink pairs well with richer, spicier, and more intense dishes.
An acidic drink is a very gastronomic drink, because most dishes have some of these characteristics. We say it's a drink that "calls for food."
Tequila alone has a high alcohol content, but not in this case. It doesn't bother us when we taste it, nor does it offend our nose. Quite the contrary, it adds structure and complexity, making the drink even more interesting. We could say it would complement well with something light, but not too bland or light.
Finally, we have the sweetness of agave, highlighted by the passion fruit. When speaking of sweetness, without excess, it highlights the acidity of the dishes, accentuating the saltiness, and not canceling out the sweetness of the drink itself.
Because it contains good acidity, Quetzalli is a very gastronomic drink!
What dishes go well with Quetzalli?
Dishes that would pair perfectly with Quetzalli would be: unctuous, well-seasoned, and medium-bodied. So, fish and seafood are definitely a good choice, but with the added bonus of a more powerful accompaniment: like white fish moqueca; clam pasta with butter sauce; mussels with beurre blanc; and shrimp risotto. See below for other dishes that pair well with Quetzalli.
Red meat
I think red meats might be a challenge for the cocktail, but for meat lovers, we can consider substituting pork loin with fruit chutney . Pork loin is a lean meat option that requires careful preparation to ensure flavor and juiciness. Because it's dry, loin always pairs well with a sauce. In the case of chutney, the sweet and sour condiment can be made with fruits and vegetables, and various seasonings can be added to enhance its flavor.
Oriental Cuisine
Spicier Asian cuisines, such as Thai, would also pair well with their spicy and rich flavors. One of the most popular Thai dishes, which can be a great option with Quetzalli, is Guay Jub . It's a soup made with rice noodles, pork, tofu, and a boiled egg. Another typical Thai dish is papaya salad , served as a side dish with main courses. Its ingredients are green papaya mixed with tomatoes, green beans, other vegetables, chili, sugar, fish sauce, lime, and tamarind juice. We also recommend Pad Thai , perhaps the most famous Thai dish, which can be found in Brazilian restaurants and even made at home. The dish is a delicious combination of rice noodles, shrimp, tamarind sauce, chicken, tofu, egg, peanuts, cilantro, and bean sprouts.
Fried appetizers
And the fried appetizers couldn't be left out, where Quetzalli truly showcases its potential. Various croquettes, coxinha (fried cod), pork rinds, and vegetable tempura are all great options to complete your evening.
If you want to accompany your glass of Quetzalli with very Brazilian appetizers, prepare portions of chicken heart skewers and shrimp with garlic and oil .
To prepare your chicken heart skewers, separate:
- 6 crushed garlic cloves;
- salt to taste;
- about 1 kg of chicken hearts.
Did you like the chicken heart skewers recipe? Now, see what you need to make the garlic and oil shrimp:
- about 1 kg of shrimp;
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil;
- 4 or 5 cloves of garlic;
- 1 teaspoon of salt;
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice;
- some lemon slices to serve on the plate.
Vegan Foods
Finally, a challenge for vegans who don't want to give up good food. Quetzalli is the perfect match for a feijoada with no animal protein , served with fried kale and well-seasoned farofa. The vegan feijoada will have a balanced structure with the tequila; the cocktail's acidity will take care of the smoothness, and the sweetness will highlight the dish's best characteristics.
Quetzalli is extremely tropical, fresh, and perfectly suited to Brazilian culture and cuisine. As we've seen, pairing goes far beyond a technique for those who are culinary experts or experts in the field.
Knowing how to pair food and drinks well makes anyone's mealtimes more enjoyable. Want to learn more about Quetzalli, its ingredients, and origins? Visit our blog to learn all about Quetzalli .
Daniel Pacheli
I built my career in hospitality, but it was in the restaurant industry that I found myself. Having worked in the industry for over eight years, it's always been a pleasure to find the perfect wine for each person and dish, but it was when the opportunity arose to curate my first wine list that I jumped in. Then, everything blended together, and consulting became even more of a part of my daily life. I'm passionate about eating and drinking well, always surrounded by friends.
