Food

Tequila Forever

The Best Tequila Dishes in the City

As a scholar of all Mexican holidays, you know that despite the hoopla surrounding Cinco de Mayo, the true Mexican Independence Day is really El Grito, kicking off tomorrow night. Here’s how to celebrate it to its maximum tequila-ness—with the best tequila-injected dishes in town.

GUAC ON

Guacamole con Chipotle

The Skinny: Perfectly ripe avocado chunks, mango and jicama (Mexican turnips) are pounded with chipotle chilies soaked in Herradura tequila that’s aged in oak barrels for 25 months.
Pair It With: Dizzy Oaxacan (mezcal, grapefruit, ginger beer, cayenne)

CHIC FILET

Filete con Hongos

The Skinny: Three kinds of mushrooms—oyster, cremini and portobello—get tossed in a sauté pan. Next, onions and jalapeños are thrown in. Then the whole thing is glazed with two shots of Montezuma Silver, and crème fraîche is added for a rich, boozy steak sauce.
Pair It With: Frozen Pomegranate Margarita

BELLY UP

Berkshire Pork Belly Carnitas

The Skinny: The salsa that accompanies this trio of tacos gets liquored up with mangos that have been soaked in champagne and a gulp of Cuervo Silver tequila, nicely assuaging the richness of the fatty beef. Assuaging is key.
Pair It With: Pineapple Mint Margarita

FEEL FRAICHE

Smoked Salmon with Tequila Crème

The Skinny: Available for one night only, slabs of house-smoked salmon trade in their usual vodka-doused crème fraîche for a Patrón-enhanced dollop. Make sure to chase it with a lime wedge.
Pair It With: Mango Margarita

BRULE THE WORLD

Key Lime Tequila Brûlée

The Skinny: The classic French dessert gets a shot of Floridian flair with key lime juice and Latin flair with a tequila infusion. For best results, pre-party with a ceviche sampler and a few Negro Modelos.
Pair It With: White Sangria