Cocktail & Guacamole Pairings to Celebrate National Guacamole Day

Holy guacamole!  National Guacamole Day is September 16^th and we’re giving thanks for the delightfully delicious, versatile dip/topping.

And skip the store-bought stuff -- these guac recipes from the experts at Dos Caminos are easy enough to whip up at home, even with a cocktail in hand!

Start with Chef Ivy Stark’s traditional guacamole recipe and feel free to give it a fun twist with variations like Chipotle-Goat Cheese Guacamole or Artichoke Guacamole with Toasted Pine Nuts.

Rock the guac and celebrate with these guacamole and margarita pairing ideas!

Pairing 1

The sweet and fruity flavors of the Marvelous Mango Margarita provide the perfect complement to the smoky heat of the Chipotle-Goat Cheese Guacamole.

Pairing 2

Turn your cocktail up a notch this National Guacamole Day with the Spicy Sauza®-Rita.  This spicy cocktail brings the heat with red and chili pepper flavors and pairs well with the mild flavors of the Artichoke Guacamole with Toasted Pine Nuts.

Pairing 1

Marvelous Mango Margarita

• 1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
• ½ part JDK & Sons™ O3 Premium Orange Liqueur
• ½ large ripe mango
• 2 parts fresh orange juice
• ⅔ part lime juice
• ½ part simple syrup
• 4 parts ice

Preparation: Peel, seed and chop your mango. If you have time you can freeze your prepared mango at this point. Otherwise, put all ingredients except for the ice into your blender and blend until smooth. Then add the ice. Pour the margarita into a glass and enjoy!

Chipotle-Goat Cheese Guacamole

• 2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro leaves
• 2 tsp. finely chopped white onion
• 2 tsp. minced jalapeño or Serrano chilies (Optional: remove seeds and membranes)
• ½ tsp. teaspoon Kosher salt
• 2  large ripe avocados, peeled and seeded
• 1 small plum tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
• 2 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice

• 4 oz. crumbled goat cheese
• 2 tbsp. chopped canned chipotle chilies

Preparation:

1. In a medium size bowl, use the back of a spoon to mash 1 tablespoon of the cilantro, 1 teaspoon onion, 1 teaspoon of minced chile, and ½ teaspoon salt together against the bottom of the bowl.
2. Add the avocados and gently mash them with a fork until chunky-smooth.
3. Add 4 oz. crumbled goat cheese and 2 tablespoons of chopped canned chipotle chilles.
4. Fold the remaining cilantro, onion, and chile into the mixture.
5. Stir in tomatoes and lime juice, taste to adjust the seasonings.
6. Serve with warm corn tortilla chips. 

**Makes 4 Servings

Pairing 2

Spicy Sauza-Rita

• 1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
• 2 parts beer
• 1 part frozen limeade concentrate
• 1 part water
• A dash of hot sauce
• Sugar (for garnish)
• Salt (for garnish)
• Red pepper (for garnish)
• Chili pepper (for garnish)

Preparation: In a glass, combine all ingredients. Chill and serve in glasses rimmed with sugar, salt and red pepper. Garnish with a chili. Enjoy!

Artichoke Guacamole with Toasted Pine Nuts

• 2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro leaves
• 2 tsp. finely chopped white onion
• 2 tsp. minced jalapeño or Serrano chilies (Optional: remove seeds and membranes)
• ½ tsp. teaspoon Kosher salt
• 2  large ripe avocados, peeled and seeded
• 1 small plum tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
• 2 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice

• 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
• ¼ cup toasted pine nuts

Preparation:

1. In a medium size bowl, use the back of a spoon to mash 1 tablespoon of the cilantro, 1 teaspoon onion, 1 teaspoon of minced chile, and ½ teaspoon salt together against the bottom of the bowl.
2. Add the avocados and gently mash them with a fork until chunky-smooth.
3. Add 1 cup of marinated artichoke hearts chopped with ¼ cup of toasted pine nuts and stir.
4. Fold the remaining cilantro, onion, and chile into the mixture.
5. Stir in tomatoes and lime juice, taste to adjust the seasonings.
6. Serve with warm corn tortilla chips. 

**Makes 4 Servings

Bonus Cocktail!

Strawberry Sparkler

• 1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
• ½ part DeKuyper® Strawberry Liqueur
• ½ part (chilled) rose champagne
• ½ part limeade
• 3 strawberries
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 lime wedge

Preparation:  Wash, stem, quarter and freeze strawberries for at least 1 hour (can be done the day ahead). Run a wedge of lime around the rim of your champagne flute and dip in a plate of sugar to coat rim. Place 3 frozen strawberries in the bottom of the prepared flute.  Pour champagne into the glass. In a shaker filled with ice, combine tequila, limeade, and strawberry liqueur. Shake and pour into glass. Add a squeeze of fresh lime if desired and serve immediately.