When we talk about Mexico, many of us immediately think of gastronomy, spice, and tacos, but there’s another treasure that isn’t often discussed. Traditional Mexican drinks also carry significant cultural importance, setting them apart in Latin America.
Let’s delve deeper into Mexico’s typical beverages, from the sweetest to the traditional tequila produced in Jalisco.
Mexico’s Most Typical Beverages
Getting into the details, let’s break down traditional Mexican drinks into alcoholic and non-alcoholic categories since they serve different purposes and use different raw materials. Moreover, they are consumed on various occasions, blending with Mexican culture.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Mass-consumed beverages in Mexico are present at different moments, from breakfast to refreshing on a sunny day. Some of the most relevant ones include:
· Agua de horchata: One of the country’s characteristic beverages, made with a fascinating process that includes rice as the main ingredient. We’ll explore this further in the next section of the article.
· Aguas frescas: Refreshing beverages often seen in Mexican TV programs. Made from fruits, herbs, and spices, they come in various flavors, from tamarind to hibiscus flower.
· Coffee: While it might be associated with other Latin American countries, Mexico is a major producer and consumer of coffee. From espresso to traditional olla coffee, it’s widely enjoyed throughout the country.
Alcoholic Beverages
Within alcoholic beverages, one stands out above the rest—the famous tequila, which, like horchata, deserves a special chapter we’ll explore later. In addition to tequila, there’s also mezcal, distinct from tequila with a stronger, smokier flavor.
Other notable spirits include beers, of which Mexico has a wide variety and production. Furthermore, there are drinks like Xtabentún, made from honey and the flower of the same name, contributing to the traditional alcoholic beverages of the country.
Agua de Horchata: A Traditional Refreshment
As mentioned earlier, horchata is part of traditional Mexican culture. Made from rice, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla, it’s the perfect accompaniment to meals, served either warm or cold with added ice.
Its origin has many versions; some believe it was a legacy from the Spaniards that came from Europe, while there’s evidence suggesting its consumption long before the arrival of the Spaniards in America.
Regardless of its origin, today, we’ll teach you how to prepare this delicious recipe so you can share it with your family or friends.
How to Make Agua de Horchata
To make this traditional beverage, you’ll need a cup of white rice, two cups of water, a piece of cinnamon, half a cup of evaporated milk, a quarter cup of condensed milk, and half a teaspoon of vanilla. Got the ingredients? Great! Let’s go through the steps:
1. Rinse the rice with cold water until the water runs clear.
2. Place the rice in a pot with the 2 cups of water and the cinnamon.
3. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the rice feels soft.
4. Remove from heat and let this mixture cool slightly.
5. Blend the rice with evaporated milk, condensed milk, and vanilla.
6. And that’s it! Now just serve it cold or warm.
Mexican Alcoholic Beverages: Tequila
Beyond Mexico’s borders, tequila is one of the most well-known drinks globally, thanks to its unique taste, production, and versatility in cocktails.
Although tequila’s industrial production dates back to 1873, it has a pre-Hispanic history. The Aztecs used the blue agave to make a fermented drink called pulque. With the advent of distillation, tequila as we know it was created.
To produce Mexican tequila, agave must first be harvested, a plant with higher production in Jalisco. Next, the inner part of the plant is extracted, cooked in ovens, fermented, distilled, and aged in barrels for several years.
Tequila Margarita: Mexico’s Most Representative Cocktail
The margarita is a cocktail that, according to historical records, was created in a Mexican hotel many years ago when the owner asked one of her bartenders to make something special. The man took tequila and added citrus touches of lemon and orange, resulting in this cocktail named in honor of his customer.
To make a Margarita at home, you need 2 ounces of tequila, one ounce of lime or lemon juice, half an ounce of orange liqueur, and salt.
Now, follow these steps:
1. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a margarita glass.
2. Dip the rim of the glass in salt.
3. In a shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
4. Shake vigorously until well-chilled.
5. Strain the cocktail into the margarita glass.
6. Garnish with a lime slice.
Liquid Gastronomy: Tradition in a Glass
If we combine all the traditional Mexican drinks mentioned earlier with the high cuisine of national gastronomy, it results in a unique palate experience that elevates the country’s culture.
The union of drinks with food isn’t exclusive to luxury restaurants in Mexico; it’s almost a tradition to pair all these drinks with typical Mexican food in various eateries, as well as during national festivities or family events.
Pairing, commonly referred to as the combination of drinks with gastronomy, can be extensive. One of the most important points often emphasized is using horchata to counterbalance the spiciness of mole poblano or chiles en nogada.
On the other hand, tequilas are generally used to accompany red meat or seafood preparations. A widely used option in Mexican households is light beer with well-known snacks.
In this article, we’ve traversed through all of Mexican culture via its beverages, a delightful experience that, combined with gastronomy, is a must to discover deep and delicious Mexico.
Therefore, we invite you to Barrigas Restaurant, where you can enjoy the best of authentic Mexican dishes.