Celebrate Las Posadas with Authentic Mexican Traditions

Shelley Mendoza

December 12, 2013

Las Posadas is one of the best holidays of the year because it means indulging in delicious food and all the celebrations with friends and family. If you’re a food lover, then tamales are definitely among one of your favorite dishes this time of the year. But have you ever considered serving your favorite tamale with tequila?

Combining these two authentic Latin favorites can become a new contemporary tradition for you and your loved ones to enjoy during this festive season. They’re very good together since the tequila enhances the tamale’s flavors creating an exciting pairing for your palate.

Make this year’s Posadas an unforgettable one by celebrating Mexican tradition and culture with an authentic dish, the tamale, paired with seasonal tequila cocktails and surprise your guests with your innovative and yet traditional pairing.

Edwin Cruz, an award-winning mixologist from Los Angeles, shared with us a seasonal tequila cocktail recipe, tips on how to celebrate with your friends and family and some of his favorite Mexican customs.

What advice can you share on how to entertain friends and family during Las Posadas?
Las Posadas are a time for family and friends to enjoy each other’s company. It’s important to focus first and foremost on their comfort and not invite too many people at a time (to avoid this you can spread out the invites over a few days and keep the party going). Make sure to have festive music, delicious food, and a Ponche. Don’t make it all about the planning and execution and enjoy the time with your loved ones.

Do you have any specific tradition you and your family celebrate during Posadas?
Coming from a family of chefs and bakers, food is very important this time of the year: from delicious Chocolate Atole and Atole de Maiz to my Tia’s amazing tamales de frijol. It’s a time for everyone to take a moment and catch their breath in a season that’s always the busiest time of the year for them.

Do you have any favorite dishes and cocktails to celebrate Posadas?
I can’t think of Las Posadas without tamales. I know tamales are available year round in most parts of the U.S. but there’s a little bit of extra love put into them at this time of the year, and nothing compares to my family’s homemade tamales. Foods like menudo and pozole are also dishes I crave during this time of year. Being a bartender, I’m always searching for new favorite drinks and during Posadas is no exception, If I’m at a restaurant I’ll typically pick something from their seasonal cocktail list that I feel will pair well with my meal. If I’m at home I’ll look in my kitchen for inspirations and always come up with something seasonal & creative to enjoy with my food. My cocktail choice is just as important as my food choice.

What is your favorite tamale and what drink do you usually have with it?
My favorites are tamales de Mole Negro and frijol, followed up by a tie with a Tamal de Rajas and Pollo en Salsa Verde. To wash it all down I usually go with something refreshing like a Paloma with Don Julio Blanco or just a nice pour of Don Julio Añejo over a large ice cube and a grapefruit peel.

Cocktail recipe:
Seven Peaks
To Pair with a Pork Short Rib Tamale

Ingredients:
1 1/4 oz Tequila Don Julio Añejo
1/4 oz Grand Marnier
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz Simple Syrup
1 Ginger Slice
1 Apple Wedge
1 Persimmon Wedge
Apple and Persimmon Fan for Garnish

Preparation:
1. Muddle ginger, apple and persimmon with the lime and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add Tequila Don Julio Añejo and Grand Marnier to the shaker with ice and shake well.
3. Double strain into double rocks glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with an apple and persimmon fan.

Ideal Serving:
Double Rocks Glass

Yield:
1 drink, no drink contains more than 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol