Tequila, Tapas and Treats: A Sweet and Spicy Valentine’s Day

A bottle of wine and a box of chocolate may be the go-to Valentine’s Day gift, but we can do better than that. It’s el día de amor (o el día de los enamorados), after all, go for something a little more spicy and unexpected. Go for tequila, tapas and treats.

It may seem a surprising combination, but it’s every bit delicious. Recently, the renowned tequila makers at Tequila El Mayor introduced a group of San Antonio foodies, bloggers, industry experts and social media folks to their portfolio of incredible tequilas. We gathered at el Hacienda de los Barrios – a fabulous hacienda-style restaurant nestled just south of the Hill Country – sipped tequila cocktails, tasted four varieties of tequila and sampled the surprising array of foods that paired perfectly with their spirits.

In this season of love, it’s fun to discover unexpected, and sexy, combinations that will surprise and delight your amorcito. Here’s how to plan some romantic nibbles and pair them with super smooth and tasty El Mayor Tequila.

Tapas and Tequila

Start the evening with some refreshing small dishes. Try a Latin twist on a sushi with an Ahi Tuna Tostada, which consists of a strip of ahi tuna, a wedge of fresh avocado on a crisp tostada. It’s very tasty, but you may need more than one. The dipping sauce was a savory combination of chile, vinegar, cilantro and other goodies.

This pairs well with El Mayor’s Blanco tequila. This young tequila is clear and bright with a clean, floral and slightly spicy overtone. It finishes crisp without the hard bite of stronger tequilas. Plus, it’s slightly peppery flavor pairs well with light dishes. It’s also great for tequila novices who are just starting to appreciate it.

Tequila and Treats

Continue the romance with dessert. A crispy buñuelo, topped with seasonal berries, powdered sugar and then drizzled with cajeta is a bright finish to a light meal, and is a fun alternative to a typical chocolate dessert. (You’ll probably have plenty of opportunities to indulge in chocolate over the Valentine’s holiday anyway!)

Serve it with a taste of Extra Añejo tequila. This deep amber-colored tequila tastes slightly sweet and very rich. It’ been aged for a minimum of 3 years and when you sniff it, carries an intoxicating scent of dried fruit, caramel, dark chocolate, smoke and light spices. The first sip is surprising, instead of a harder, stronger flavor, you are treated to a smokey and delicious spirit that is a great alternative to dessert liquors.

Just be warned: Tequila, tapas and treats will surely add some sweetness and spice to your Valentine’s Day, so share it with someone you love!