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Tequila & Tacos: A Guide to Spirited Pairings

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Sample the country’s most tantalizing tacos paired with equally inventive tequila-inspired cocktails—from seasoned food writer and libation enthusiast Katherine Cobbs.

Tacos have been trending for years, and finally tequila is having its taco moment. While a crunchy, savory beef taco washed down with a frozen margarita is always acceptable, today the inspired options for what can be stuffed in an edible wrapper or blended with agave spirits are infinite.

Behind the bar, the burgeoning array of top-shelf tequilas and mezcals available hold their own—and even outshine—liquor mainstays like vodka, gin, and bourbon. The ubiquitous tequila shot with requisite salt and lime chaser can’t compete with the complex, nuanced flavors of the finely crafted blanco, reposado, and añejo tequilas and smoky mezcals that deserve sipping and savoring.

Featuring authentic classics like Tacos Al Pastor and Baja-style fish tacos, Tequila & Tacos also includes entirely new spins on the taco—such as fried Brussels sprout tacos, spicy cauliflower tacos in Indian paratha shells, or tempura-battered seaweed tacos cradling ahi tuna—paired with uncannily delicious cocktails crafted with the finest agave spirits, like a traditional tart Paloma cocktail rimmed with spiced salt or an eye-opening Mezcal Manhattan. Curated from bars and taco stands around the country, this book is a must-have for the taco and tequila aficionado.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2020

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Katherine Cobbs

13 books12 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Lorna.
1,104 reviews767 followers
January 29, 2023
Tequila & Tacos was a delightful book about my favorite cuisine by Katherine Cobbs. In this little book of wonderful restaurants from coast to coast one can sample unique cocktails and delicious Mexican cuisine along with gorgeous photographs, this is a wonderful book for all of us foodies. With a splendid introduction to tequila and agave spirits, the book is divided into the four regions of the country as the different restaurants and regional food are explored: the West, the South, the Midwest, and the East. Needless to say the West is a big part of the book. One of my favorite passages is from the author as she is vacationing with her parents when they summered in northeastern New Mexico:

"My parents raised their eyebrows when I ordered tacos at restaurants like Santa Fe's Pink Adobe or Lamberts of Taos, so I would demur and order the green chile stew or blue corn enchiladas instead."


We are soon leaving for Florida so I have my restaurants on my itinerary including Lona Cocina Tequileria in Fort Lauderdale. With this description, who could resist?

"A table by the beach is hard to beat and the view from the patio of Lona is so striking that it's hard to focus on anything else. . . that is, until the food arrives. The young, celebrated Mexican chef Pablo Salas of destination restaurant Amaranta in Toluca, Mexico, and the street-casual Publico in Mexico City was coming stateside to open this vibrant waterfront restaurant on the ground floor of the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort."


And then of course, we are looking forward to going to our favorite chef Richard Sandoval's restaurant in Miami, Toro Toro. We have long enjoyed many of Sandoval's beautiful and our favorite restaurants in Colorado, namely Tamayo, Toro and Venga Venga.

"Mexican chef Richard Sandoval is conquering the world one restaurant at a time with nearly fifty establishments in North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Hospitality runs in his family. His father owned two successful restaurants in Acapulco and his grandmother was an avid cook who put a young Richard to work in this family kitchen as she prepared feasts for the constant gatherings of family and friends,"


Profile Image for Jen.
1,612 reviews150 followers
January 5, 2020
What I love about tacos is the simplicity. The ingredients are always fresh and readily available. Unfortunately, the same can not be said about these recipes. Too many obscure ingredients and steps to these recipes so I’m likely to not make any of them. However, this book was incredibly interesting. If you want to know more about tequila, tacos, or the cuisine in general, then this is a great book to read. It’s put together in an interesting way, highlighting different restaurants and their recipes by region. While they all sounded delicious, these are not recipes for the everyday chef. Thank you to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Trio.
3,671 reviews215 followers
April 2, 2020
Filled with gorgeous photos, Katherine Cobbs’ Tequila & Tacos is a journey from coast to coast. With a host of recipes and cocktails as varied as the geographic area Ms. Cobbs covers, there’s definitely something for everyone in this cookbook.

In addition to an amazing glossary and handy conversion charts, Katherine Cobbs includes beautifully written descriptions of the restaurants, the food, and the cocktails. Even if you never make any of the recipes, Tequila & Tacos is still a fun read.

Cobbs includes some wonderful vegetarian options. I highly recommend the Cauliflower Tacos with Fennel & Ramps and the La Esquina Hongos Tacos with Corn Mole. No matter what kind of mushrooms you use, you’ll enjoy this one.

And as for the cocktails, while some of the ingredients were either hard to find or a bit too complex for me to recreate, the recipes are a wonderful jumping off point. Between the use of fresh fruit and Mexican cocoa, there’s lots to inspire you here.


a copy of Tequila & Tacos was provided to me by NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review
Profile Image for Kaye .
388 reviews6 followers
October 27, 2020
Go ahead -- judge this book by its cover (which is breathtakingly beautiful.) This is a fun book, whether or not you're a cook. Perhaps you're planning a road trip, and want some ideas for culinary stops along the way. Perhaps you want to expand the possibilities when you order locally. Perhaps, like me, you know very little about tequila and will be fascinated at the variety and complexity.

The writing is stellar, as are the photos.

I loved this book so much in the Kindle edition that I am buying it for myself in hardcover, and perhaps for a couple of friends as well, for gifts.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tiller Press for an advance readers copy.
Profile Image for Audrey.
1,430 reviews56 followers
April 24, 2022
Total foodie book with stories and descriptions that make you feel like you've been to each location
Profile Image for Amber ♡︎ bookishly.amber.
178 reviews161 followers
January 29, 2020
Thank you Netgalley and Tiller Press for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

A book for the taco and tequila aficionado? Sign me up!

Three words. Tacolicious Pastrami Taco.
Don't forget the mother of all cocktails: The Tequila Daisy.

These mouth-watering recipes are phenomenal and I learned so much! Especially how to add some zest into our Taco Tuesday! I will certainly be trying more of these recipes!

Sample the country’s most tantalizing tacos paired with equally inventive tequila-inspired cocktails—from seasoned food writer and libation enthusiast Katherine Cobbs.

Tacos have been trending for years, and finally tequila is having its taco moment. While a crunchy, savory beef taco washed down with a frozen margarita is always acceptable, today the inspired options for what can be stuffed in an edible wrapper or blended with agave spirits are infinite.

Behind the bar, the burgeoning array of top-shelf tequilas and mezcals available hold their own—and even outshine—liquor mainstays like vodka, gin, and bourbon. The ubiquitous tequila shot with requisite salt and lime chaser can’t compete with the complex, nuanced flavors of the finely crafted blanco, reposado, and añejo tequilas and smoky mezcals that deserve sipping and savoring.

Featuring authentic classics like Tacos Al Pastor and Baja-style fish tacos, Tequila & Tacos also includes entirely new spins on the taco—such as fried Brussels sprout tacos, spicy cauliflower tacos in Indian paratha shells, or tempura-battered seaweed tacos cradling ahi tuna—paired with uncannily delicious cocktails crafted with the finest agave spirits, like a traditional tart Paloma cocktail rimmed with spiced salt or an eye-opening Mezcal Manhattan. Curated from bars and taco stands around the country, this book is a must-have for the taco and tequila aficionado.
Profile Image for AcademicEditor.
838 reviews31 followers
July 8, 2020
Many of us have some sense of how to pair red or white wines with meats, seafood, and cheeses, but other spirits are often not so carefully considered. This guide attempts to change that by thinking through all the components of both your tacos and the beverages (both tequila-based and not) that you drink with them.

This book is very informative, offering concise descriptions of ingredients and styles of tacos. It then explores the regional variations on tacos in the US by getting recipes from a number of restaurants in the West, South, Midwest, and East. The people that constantly turn up their noses at any and every restaurant in the US as not being authentic (even when operated by a crew of people from Mexico) should probably move along here, since there are taco recipes that call for meatballs and Japanese eggplants and pickled ramps, but if you're venturing outside your culinary comfort zone, you might get some inspiration.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.
Profile Image for Joseph Willis.
16 reviews2 followers
September 2, 2020
If you are coming to Tacos & Tequila looking for the end all be all on these topics, this isn’t it, but that is exactly why this cookbook is so great. Tacos & Tequila starts out as an introduction and then transitions into a fun look at unique taco variations, tequila pairings, and easy to access recipes for both. While I personally have a lot of experience with tacos, tequila hasn’t been a drink I have much knowledge or experience with. The history, background, and foundations of the drink here were lots of fun and sets the reader up to go out and experiment on their own. Which again, is one of the ways this book shines, is that it gives the reader the know how and info to, like the restaurants highlighted inside, experiment on their own finding what they like and can get passionate about. And even with my taco knowledge, the book had lots of great surprises. The Criollo Latin Kitchen al pastor recipe, and technique for those of us without a vertical spit in our kitchen, is worth getting the book on its own. Seriously, it is amazing.

The restaurants and their recipes are broken into geographic parts of the US and offer a fun variety with unique takes on both the tacos and tequila cocktails. Coming from there, I was surprised and happy to see a Utah restaurant, Taqueria 27, included. Though as someone who has spent a good chunk of time in Tucson, AZ, I was surprised to only find one Arizona restaurant, Flagstaffs Criollo Latin Kitchen, included. But I think that is an inevitability for most people, you want your favorite taqueria mentioned because you love it. But the recipes and restaurants that are included as well as the resources and history are about getting you started, getting that love of tacos and tequila primed, and then getting you into the kitchen or out to a new taqueria to find something new to love and enjoy.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tiller Press for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
913 reviews5 followers
February 4, 2021
I love reading cookbooks. I love cooking. I love tacos. Unfortunately this book just didn't work for me. I didn't find most of the stories or the photos engaging.

The recipes in this book come from restaurants. Some of the restaurants and their owners had really interesting stories. I think the book might have benefitted if it had only used recipes from restaurants that had really good stories. A restaurant doesn't need a fascinating story to make great food, but a cookbook does need fascinating stories to make a great cookbook.

Because the book was broken down by region - north, south, east, west - many of the recipes use ingredients that are very representative of the regions. That's wonderful when eating in a restaurant. In a cookbook it makes the recipes harder to replicate. For instance goat meat and fresh cactus leaves are harder to source in the rural northeast.

The best part of this book was the brief primer at the beginning that looked at the different types of peppers, parts of a traditional taco, Mexican cheeses, and types of tequila. It did a good job of explaining how tequila and mezcal are made and the differences between them.

The author included Mexican chefs and restaurant owners and she did briefly address the issues of how food changes as it is exposed to different cultures. That's important, but I don't think she went far enough in addressing issues of cultural appropriation. We live in a country where immigration is a very polarizing issue. Many American have no problem embracing Mexican food while rejecting Mexican people. That is textbook cultural appropriation and I wish the author had given more space to that issue.

(There was a recipe for a drink called the Drug Mule. That's very problematic. It saddened me to see it included.)

I received this book free from goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
91 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2021
I won this beautiful cookbook from Goodreads First-reads and it is absolutely marvelous. I love the cover but it is what is inside the book that makes this cookbook a real gem. The photography is very nice and helpful. The table of contents has everything from Tequila Talk including Chapters from the different regions of the United States that give names and addresses of the restaurants in the west, south, midwest and eastern regions that inspired the recipes in this cookbook. When I travel I'm going to visit some of these restaurants. I love to cook and our family has Mexican night once a week.
I feel very inspired by the recipes. I tried The Tequila Daisy which is a Tequila Cocktail Classic and it was delicious. I can't wait to try many of the other cocktail recipes that look great. I tried the Monte Cristo Taco because I have grated Gruyere cheese on hand. I wasn't disappointed. I also tried the Pan-Seared Halibut Taco which we will definitely make again. I also tried the Honey-Cinnamon Dessert Taco because I love ice cream. It was spectacular. There is a very nice Metric Chart at the back of the cookbook which you will find helpful. I highly recommend that you buy, gift, but most importantly get this cookbook, read, and try something new. I look forward to using this cookbook often. I know you won't be disappointed.
Profile Image for Bri | _bookishbri.
33 reviews21 followers
June 23, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for approving my request to read more about Tequila & Tacos by a Katherine Cobbs!

As I began reading through this cookbook, I was able to get way more information out of it than expected! This is not only a cookbook, but a learning foundation to Hispanic food. Cobbs starts the book by explaining different tequilas, cheese sauces known as “queso”, the many different tacos, and even shares authentic restaurants you can visit through the U.S. As I am a huge fan of Mexican food, there are many recipes I look forward to trying, such as Cauliflower Tacos with Fennel & Ramps!! Anything with cauliflower, you can count me in! With tequila being my favorite addition to ANY drink, I certainly cannot wait to have a fiesta with my friends and showcase the “Horny Juanita” as the signature drink.

Personally, there are recipes in the cookbook I won’t be able to try at home unfortunately (like the Grilled Cactus because I live in North Carolina). However, I highly recommend adding this cookbook to your collection if you’re an adventurous cook who loves to try different ethnic food that you won’t find on just any Mexican restaurant menu!

Tequila & Tacos by Katherine Cobbs is 4/5 stars!
Profile Image for Crystal.
100 reviews
September 3, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Tiller Press for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 Stars.

I'd like to start by saying that I'm hard-pressed to find a better combination than tequila and tacos, and this cookbook is the perfect example of why that combination works so well. Cobbs begins with a lesson on the different forms of tequila, mezcal, and agave spirits. It's interesting to read about all varieties and I've now added a few new drinks to the list of spirits I need to try.

The recipes are split into regions (West, South, Midwest, and East) with each region providing both cocktail and taco recipes. It is important to know that this book contains recipes from various restaurants in U.S. cities. Cobbs provides not only easy-to-follow recipes from these restaurants but an explanation of the name, recipe, restaurant, or chef behind these amazing creations!

This book is a great collection of recipes from restaurants across the U.S.
Profile Image for Sarah.
257 reviews29 followers
April 14, 2020
Tacos and Tequila was an enjoyable cookbook to read through. It was more one of the more unique taco cookbooks I have seen and enjoyed reading about the different regional restaurants and their different spin on tacos. There were also some great takes on the modern taco, such as the Salmon Poke Nori Tacos, the Monte Cristo Taco (yum!!!), and the Ethiopian Injera Taco. While some of the recipes I would probably never make (such as the Angus Carne Asada Tacos with Grilled Cactus, simply because I do not have cactus pads lying around!), there are some I would definitely be adding as staples in my home, like the Eight Row Flint Brussels Sprouts Tacos and the Prickly Pear Paloma. This would be a great addition to anyone who cooks at home, especially and adventurous one!
3.5/5 stars for practicality, but 4/5 stars for a thorough insight into regional and unique cuisine.
12 reviews2 followers
November 3, 2020
Tequila and tacos? The perfect combo! This book not only looks pretty but gives a wide variety of taco options. The book takes reader on a US tour of tacos, finding the best places in the West, Midwest, East and South. Cobbs provides signature cocktail and taco recipes for each restaurant reviewed, which is amazing. I'm excited to try the recipes from states I would never usually eat tacos in and am extremely tempted to go on a taco road trip now. The biggest flaw of this cookbook comes from the organization. I personally prefer easy access to all my recipes by having them in one section of the book, but this one gives the recipe right after the restaurant it is attached to. I'm not great with names of places so it has been tricky trying to remember which recipe goes with which place, so I can find what I'm looking for.
552 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of Tequila and Tacos in exchange for an honest review.

Tequila and Tacos is a compellation of some of the countries best restaurants and their taco recipes along with tequila cocktails. The book is laid out in four sections focusing on restaurants in the west, south, midwest and east. I grew up in the southwest and tacos and tequila are a staple in our recipe rotations so I was excited to check out this cookbook for new inspiration. I was a bit disappointed because the selection did not feel new or inventive, cocktails were fairly basic. The biggest stretches are taco shells made from nori. The recipes are easy enough to follow and the photography is nice.
Profile Image for Lauren Stahl.
90 reviews6 followers
April 17, 2020
This book breaks down tacos and Tequila. It gives the reader definitions for all of the different meats that can be placed in various tacos and how the meats are cooked. It then moves on to discuss the various tortillas and fillings that can be used to create taco masterpieces. You learn all about tequila and how it distilled and how to pair the two items together. The book is broken into four areas and the tacos that you can find in each. The recipes are broken down by restaurants in the areas and pair a taco with a tequila drink. Each recipe is easy to follow and delicious. This is a very fun cookbook!
Profile Image for Sarah Hanson.
463 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2020
Mouthwatering recipes, from pastrami tacos to al pastor! I loved the variety of cocktails, salsas, and range of taco flavors represented throughout the book. This recipe set is split into regional sections, including enticing descriptions of the specialties of numerous Mexican restaurants that have now been added to my bucket list.

The beautiful pictures, simply well-written recipes, and range of ingredients make for a unique or comforting meal depending on your mood. This will become a staple for me, and I can think of many other taco enthusiasts who would love this book. Thank you #NetGalley for giving me a taste of this book!
Profile Image for Georgia.
43 reviews7 followers
June 29, 2020
This cookbook is STELLAR. I love the stunning photos and beautifully curated collection of recipes and pairings. This would be excellent for both cooks who are new to Mexican food and veterans, and it never makes you feel like it's dumbing things down while also making things feel very accessible. I have already identified two recipes I'll be cooking tonight and look very much forward to trying them. I suspect I will be cooking and drinking my way through this whole book by summer's end. Can't wait to see more cookbooks from Katherine Cobbs and Tiller Press.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tiller Press, and Katherine Cobbs for this advance copy of such a great book.
31 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2020
great photos and mouth watering recipes. Some traditional and some not so traditional. I'm looking at you nori ahi taco. The recipes come from restaurants across the US so you get an interesting collection, but since they are restaurant quality recipes there are some hard to find ingredients.
I was lucky enough to win a copy from goodread, but would suggest it for anyone looking for some modern twists on tacos and new tequila drinks
Profile Image for patrick Lorelli.
3,798 reviews39 followers
August 21, 2024
This book sounded good, and the overall reading experience was alright, but following some of the recipes would be a little more difficult because they were mainly from the country's different regions. Not all of the ingredients are available to everyone. I still found it entertaining, and it gave me ideas for trying something different when making tacos instead of the same regular ones I make for my family, so that is a plus.
Profile Image for Felicia.
81 reviews
April 23, 2020
The recipes come from a variety of restaurants around the country, so initially I expected the recipes to be too complicated for the average person, but they are very accessible and complimented by lovely photographs. I appreciate the drink/food combos provided too.

This would be an excellent edition for any public library cookbook collection!
Profile Image for Chloe.
47 reviews7 followers
June 11, 2020
Loved this! These tequila and taco recipes are split by regions in the US, from famous restaurants in each area. I loved the way it was formatted and the instructions are all clear. The graphics are also absolutely gorgeous and show how the drinks would pair with the tacos. I can't wait to try these!
Profile Image for Kristen Curtis.
176 reviews2 followers
November 28, 2020
4 stars for this being a beautiful book! Delicious photography, but I will say the book lost some credibility when I got to the Midwest chapter and 1 of 5 places featured is Condado in Columbus, Ohio 🤦‍♀️ don’t get me wrong I love me some condado tacos but it’s a chain, all Americanized taco place. I feel like it has no place in a book that is supposed to be highlighting authentic tacos.
Profile Image for Kiki.
1,203 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2021
Beautiful book and I did learn a little about tequila, but most of the recipes were not practical for me to make or had combinations that just didn't excite me. With that said, I still encourage others who like tacos, tequila or both to give this book a chance. Just because it wasn't a fit for me doesn't mean it won't be for you.
Profile Image for Nicole.
123 reviews6 followers
October 3, 2020
While the recipes were different, I had a hard time with a white woman from the South who lived on a prairie explaining Latinx food culture to me. When we hear so much about the publishing industry needing to focus on more #ownvoices authors, this is exactly why.
10 reviews
December 23, 2020
Beautiful book. Tempting color photographs of the dishes. A cocktail is paired with each recipe, which is nice for those of us who need assistance with what would go with the meal being served. If you love Latino food this is a great cookbook for you.
Profile Image for Rhonda.
31 reviews
March 17, 2021
Ohhhh I was so looking forward to this book. Great recipes and a quirky fun book. Its like earning and enjoying at the same time. If you are on the fence don't be....get it. Would also make a great gift for a tequila lover.
Profile Image for Theresa Materazzi.
246 reviews6 followers
January 2, 2022
Very beautiful book, an interesting guide to tequila and many neat types of tacos. Th Kaba or the restaurant names and locations, will definitely give those a try when I am in throes cities in the future!
341 reviews3 followers
June 20, 2020
This wants to be a food tourist review book but the focus is on copy cat recipes. Lots of ingredients I have never herd of.
Profile Image for Katie.
254 reviews14 followers
October 29, 2020
I have received this title via NetGalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review
This book was so fascinating. I loved reading about the different dishes and drinks that each restaurant has. Each one was so unique. Many of these recipes were not feasible to make at home based on the ingredients, but they were fascinating regardless.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews