Picante Cocktail And Indian Regional Cuisine: 6 Snack And Appetizer Pairings

With origins in London, the picante cocktail is a drink made using 30 ml good quality reposado tequila, 1-2 chopped chillies, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup. What makes the drink stand out is the addition of these chillies which lends this relatively simple recipe more complexity and flavour depth.  

The spicy, sour and sweet cocktail is an interesting drink to prepare if one plans on serving alcoholic beverages at a get together. Picante contains layers of varying flavours which also enables a home host to pair it with different Indian regional dishes complete with an identical flavour complexity.  

Read on below to know more about some of the Indian regional snacks and appetizers that can be paired with the picante cocktail for a summertime gathering hosted at home: 

Mirchi Bhaji   

One of the most interesting characteristics of the picante cocktail is its spicy flavour. The drink is prepared with the addition of finely chopped, muddled chillies which gives it this signature spice. A crispy snack that would complement the spicy and sour quality of the cocktail is the mirchi bhaji or the chilli fritter. Hailing from the streets of Hyderabad, this is a very popular crunchy and spicy crisp prepared by deep frying chillies coated in gram flour and masala until they become golden brown. Mirchi bhaji and picante would thus be a well-suited pairing for an evening get together. 

Amritsari Fish Tikka  

Wrapped in the flavours of different aromatic spices and masalas such that it carries the umami flavours of kasuri methi and the earthy notes of bay leaves, mustard, ginger and garlic, the Amritsari fish tikka is a fine appetizer to pair with picante. The spicy and peppery notes of the perfectly cooked fish will be complemented by the identical spiciness of the picante. Simultaneously, the sweet and tangy flavours of the cocktail will undercut some of the extra spice in the recipe to make for a balanced food and drink pairing. 

Misal Pav   

A popular snack dish from Maharashtrian regions, misal pav comprises a spicy sprouts curry paired with fresh bread, served with chopped onions and lemon. The dish is a tasteful mix of spicy flavours and the crunchy texture of farsan or crisps and would go well with picante – made up of the sour notes of lime juice and a hint of sweetness coming from the agave syrup.  

Dahi Puri   

A dish that would finely contrast the spiciness of the picante cocktail is dahi puri. Prepare this snack while hosting a get together at home to tone down some of the spicier notes in the chilli-infused cocktail. Dahi puri also contains the tangy flavours of tamarind chutney and the crunch of sev and puri which lend this simple dish several textural layers. These would blend well with the overall composition of the picante made up of such multiple tangy, sour and spicy elements.  

Mochar Chop   

Another interesting crisp that would go well with picante is the mochar chop. With origins in West Bengal, the mochar chop is essentially a cutlet crafted out of banana blossom. This crispy appetizer is complete with a masala-infused touch which makes it an interesting combination with the picante whose similar flavours would blend well with the regional ingredients found in the cutlet.  

Fafda And Jalebi   

Generally, spicy cocktails tend to go well with crunchy snacks such as the Gujarati fafda because their prominent flavours are toned down by the textural crisp. A well-made picante can be paired with crispy fafdas and freshly made warm jalebis for a combination of spicy, crunchy and sweet flavours. The sweetness of the jalebi will tone down some of the spiciness in the picante to craft a contrasting coupling at a home hosting event.  

Also Read: 6 Regional Indian Snacks That Compliment Raw Mango Beverages