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Atoles, Aguas Frescas & More: 5 Traditional Drinks to Serve with Tamales
Tamales bring warmth. But the right drink? That’s what rounds out the table. Whether you’re serving sweet corn tamales with cinnamon or rich mole tamales packed with heat, every plate needs a pour to match. If you’ve ever asked what to serve with tamales, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.
We pulled five drinks rooted in tradition and updated for ease. Some are familiar—aguas frescas, horchata riffs—while others lean playful, adding a splash of citrus or spice to stand up to bold masa flavors. All are simple to mix, full of real ingredients, and made to serve with food.
Five Drinks That Belong on the Tamale Table
No matter how you fill your tamal—mole, green chile, sweet corn—these drinks know how to keep up. Bright, spiced, citrusy, or cool, they’re built to balance the richness on the plate without stealing the spotlight.
1. Cantina Band
Tropical and slightly spiced with citrus and depth—this one plays well with pork tamales or those packed with roasted chiles.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Lyre’s Agave or other tequila alternative
- 1 oz Liquid Alchemist Blood Orange
- ½ oz Liquid Alchemist Prickly Pear
- ¾ oz pear juice
- ½ oz grapefruit juice
Directions
Shake all ingredients with ice. Fine strain into a tall glass over fresh ice. Garnish if desired, or keep it clean and simple.
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2. I’ll Have the Pink One
Bright, tart, and vibrant—built to cut through masa and richness. A strong match for green chile tamales or lighter vegetarian options.
Ingredients
- ¾ oz Liquid Alchemist Prickly Pear Syrup
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- 2 oz vodka or spirit alternative
- Pinch of salt
Directions
Shake everything with ice. Fine strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a grapefruit twist or serve straight for a sleek finish.
3. Tamarindo Margarita
Tangy, bold, and citrusy. Tamarind works beautifully alongside mole or chile tamales, with enough edge to match spicy, slow-cooked flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila or non-alcoholic agave spirit
- 1 oz Liquid Alchemist Tamarindo Syrup
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
Directions
Shake with ice. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a Tajín rim or lime wedge to match the mood.
4. Apple Spice Margarita
Warming spice meets citrus snap—an ideal pairing for sweet corn tamales or anything with cinnamon or mild heat.
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila or tequila alternative
- ¾ oz Liquid Alchemist Apple Spice Syrup
- ¾ oz lime juice
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Directions
Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wheel or apple slice for a bit of style.
5. La Manzanita
Clean, crisp, and spiced with just enough kick. Pairs easily with both sweet and savory tamales, especially pork or chile rojo.
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila alternative
- 1 oz Liquid Alchemist Apple Spice
- 4 oz premium ginger beer
- ¼ oz fresh lemon juice
Directions
Build in a rocks glass over ice. Stir gently and garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon sugar rim.
The Backbone of Bold, Balanced Mocktails
Without alcohol in the mix, every ingredient has to carry weight. That’s why we craft syrups that do more than sweeten—they round out the glass, bring clarity to citrus, and hold their edge in every pour.
Syrups Designed to Build Real Flavor
There’s a difference between something that fills space and something that brings structure. We make our syrups to work cleanly—layering flavor without muddying it. Whether you’re adding brightness, richness, or a little edge, they’re built to stay sharp through the shake, the stir, and the strain.
The Core Syrups We Reach For
When you’re not relying on spirits to do the heavy lifting, every other element in the glass has to earn its place. That’s where the right syrup matters. These are the bottles we trust to bring clarity, depth, and balance—no distractions, no shortcuts. They mix clean, hold their structure, and finish with intention.
- Tamarindo – Tangy, earthy, and layered. Cuts through sweetness and stands up to spice.
- Coconut – Smooth without being heavy. Adds texture to tropical and creamy drinks.
- Simple Syrup – Neutral, fast-dissolving, and always ready. A clean slate when the rest of the glass is doing the talking.
Every Bite Deserves the Right Pour
If you’ve been wondering what to serve with tamales, these five drinks bring more than refreshment. They support the meal—brightening where there’s richness, cooling where there’s spice, and rounding out the table with flavor that holds its own. Real ingredients, easy builds, and combinations that stay true to the moment.
We make syrups that do the quiet work of balance—never cloying, never muddy. Whether you’re setting the table for tradition or mixing something new, we’ve got the bottles to match your glass to the meal. Explore the shop, find your flavor, and keep building drinks that deserve a seat next to the main dish.
FAQs
What to serve with tamales for a non-alcoholic pairing?
Try aguas frescas like tamarind or hibiscus, or a zero-proof horchata riff. Drinks with citrus or spice help brighten up rich masa-based tamales without overpowering them.
Are aguas frescas good with spicy food?
Absolutely. Hibiscus, tamarind, or citrus-based aguas frescas balance heat with acidity and help cleanse the palate between bites.
Can I pair creamy drinks with savory dishes?
Yes—but keep them light. Coconut-based mocktails or horchata work well, especially if the dish has heat or strong seasoning.
What’s a good zero-proof drink to serve with mole?
Try a drink with tartness or bitterness to match mole’s depth. Tamarind, grapefruit, or a hibiscus-based cooler works well.
How do I make a simple drink feel more intentional?
Glassware, garnish, and balance. A salted rim, citrus wheel, or fresh herbs can elevate even a basic pour into something memorable.
