Imagine having a drink that complements your empanadas and gives you a cool satisfied feeling at the end of the meal. The right drink can highlight the hidden flavors of your dish while creating new taste sensations. Traditional pairings often have deep cultural roots that can enhance our appreciation of the food. Empanada Mama offers classic and creative fusion empanadas along with crafted drinks that go perfectly with the kind of empanada you want to have.

In this blog we will discuss how to pair your empanadas with the right beverage. From classic hot coffee to watermelon lemonade. Let’s dive in.

The Art of Pairing: Enhancing Flavors with the Right Beverage

The right drink with your food creates a symphony of flavors. A bright classic white wine can help cut through the richness of the cheese empanada and a beer helps cleanse the palette preparing for the next delicious bite.

While they're often paired with alcoholic beverages, there's a wide array of non-alcoholic drinks that can complement their rich flavors beautifully. Whether you're enjoying a savory meat-filled empanada or a sweet dessert variety, the right beverage can enhance your culinary experience. At Empanada Mama we offer a wide range of non-alcoholic drinks to go with all our empanadas.

Shredded Beef empanada slow-cooked beef marinated in traditional Colombian spices with onion served at Empanada Mama.

Classic Pairings with Savory Empanadas

Spicy Chicken Empanada

Featuring spicy chicken breast slow-cooked in a special picante sauce, this empanada offers a kick of heat. A refreshing iced tea or lemonade can provide a cooling contrast, soothing the palate and complementing the spices.

Shredded Chicken Empanada

This empanada contains chicken breast slow-cooked with sofrito sauce, offering a savory and aromatic experience. Pair it with tropical fruit juice. You can pick, mango or passion fruit, to add a sweet and tangy twist that complements the savory filling.

Cheesesteak Empanada

Combining top-round steak strips, mozzarella, red pepper, and onions with a Latin twist, this empanada is savory and slightly sweet. A creamy milkshake, like vanilla or chocolate, can enhance the richness and contrast the savory elements.

Pairing Sweet Empanadas and Beverages

For those who have a sweet tooth, this one for you! Sweet empanadas can be enjoyed with coffee, hot chocolate, and milkshakes. Here are our favorite picks from Empanada Mama, New Yorkers' favorite Latin food spot.

Belgian and Banana Empanada

The natural sweetness of banana paired with Belgian chocolate creates a harmonious blend. Enjoy this with a Ginger ale. The effervescent bubbles of the ginger ale provide a refreshing contrast to the rich and creamy textures of the empanada filling.

Caramel and Cheese

The combination of caramel and mozzarella cheese in an empanada is a delightful balance of flavors. The caramel's rich buttery sweetness contrasts beautifully with the creamy, slightly tangy flavor of the cheese, creating a satisfying and indulgent filling. The cherry lemonade's vibrant tartness contrasts the richness of the caramel, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the empanada's sweetness.

Romeo and Juliet

The "Romeo and Juliet" empanada, with its sweet guava and creamy mozzarella cheese, offers a delightful balance of fruity sweetness and mild tanginess. Pairing it with a delicious watermelon lemonade enhances the tropical notes. This duo is light, vibrant, and perfectly refreshing—a match made in culinary heaven!

Classic Empanadas and Standard Drinks

Iced Tea + Bombay Empanada

If you are an iced tea person, then go for a spicy empanada. The“Bombay” empanada with curried chicken with chickpea, cilantro & scallions offers a good balance of flavor when paired with iced tea.

Iced Coffee + Cheeseburger Empanada

The "Cheeseburger" empanada combines ground beef cooked with traditional Latin spices and cheddar cheese, resulting in a rich and savory taste. An iced coffee complements this richness, with its robust flavor and chilled temperature offering a pleasant contrast.

Hot Coffee + Cheese Empanada

The "Cheese" empanada, stuffed simply with mozzarella cheese, provides a warm and comforting experience. Pairing it with a hot coffee enhances this comfort, as the boldness of the coffee complements the creamy, melted cheese.

Lemonade + Jerk and Cheese Empanada

The "Jerk & Cheese" empanada features jerk-marinated chicken with Swiss cheese, offering a spicy and savory profile. A tangy lemonade pairs well with this, as its citrusy brightness cuts through the spice and richness, refreshing the palate.

Hot Tea + Shredded Chicken Empanada

The "Shredded Chicken" empanada, slow-cooked in sofrito sauce, boasts a savory, aromatic filling with a hint of herbs and spices. Pairing it with a cup of hot tea creates a soothing combination. The tea’s gentle warmth and subtle flavors harmonize with the savory filling.

Hot Toddy + Beef Empanada

A non-alcoholic hot toddy made with warm water, honey, lemon, and spices pairs wonderfully with the classic "Ground Beef" empanada. The empanada’s robust and hearty flavors are complemented by the toddy’s cozy spiced notes and citrusy brightness.

All these amazing pairs are available at New York's top empanada destination, Empanada Mama. Order in or walk into our outlets to grab these yummies, at any time. We are open 24/7. If you want these delicious pairs at your home or office for a party, we are ready to cater to you. With our catering service, you get to offer your guests the true Latin taste.

Tips for Hosting an Empanada and Drinks Party

Building the Perfect Menu

To build a perfect menu aim for a variety that includes 3-4 savory options such as beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian, then 2-3 sweet varieties. Curate drinks that tune with the empanadas both alcoholic and non-alcoholic and serve 1-2 cocktails that complement multiple empanada flavors.

Setting Up Pairing Stations

Interactive stations create natural gathering points and encourage exploration:

Organize stations by flavor profiles
Label each station with suggested pairings
Provide small plates and cocktail napkins
Include palate cleansers like sparkling water or cucumber slices

Customizing Pairings for Guests

Thoughtful accommodation ensures everyone can participate. Offer marked vegetarian and vegan options. Including gluten-free alternatives, providing non-alcoholic versions of signature cocktails, labeling spice levels and common allergens and pairing suggestions for dietary preferences would create a memorable gathering.

Elevating the Experience

Who doesn't like lively decor at a gathering? You can use vibrant colors for table settings, make a curated music playlist, adding fresh flowers and small cards to make your venue ready to welcome guests.

Hot coffee served with empanadas in Empanada Mama in New York.

Empanada Mama: Pairing Perfection in NYC

If you don't want the hassle of making or finding yourself the drink that pairs with your empanada then Empanada Mama is the right place for you. We got the perfect crispy empanadas with all the right varieties of drinks to go with it.

In the heart of New York City Empanada Mama is the destination where traditional Latin American flavors meet innovative culinary creativity. We have earned a reputation through our unwavering commitment to authenticity and quality. Our 24-hour service has made us an absolute favorite.

Diverse Menu for Pairing

Our extensive menu features over 40 varieties of empanadas both traditional and contemporary. Each offering gives a unique pairing opportunity:

Brazilian-style empanadas complement tropical fruit juices
Seafood varieties shine alongside crisp lemonades
Vegetarian options pair wonderfully with crafted coffees
Dessert empanadas find harmony with hot toddy

Cranberry juice served at Empanada Mama, New York.

Savor the Perfect Empanada Experience with Drink Pairings

Beyond serving food Empanada Mama creates an opportunity to have an exquisite culinary experience, it gives its customers the rich experience of relishing a dish that is so culturally rich and diverse.

Understanding the fundamentals of pairing – from complementary flavors to contrasting textures – opens up a world of possibilities for enhancing these beloved Latin American treats.

Whether you're drawn to classic combinations like beef empanadas with Malbec, seasonal pairings like summer sangria with seafood varieties, or adventurous fusions incorporating global beverages, each pairing offers a unique opportunity to explore flavors.

Take the first step in your pairing adventure – visit Empanada Mama and experiment with our extensive menu, or try our mini empanadas at home with your favorite beverages. Let your palate guide you as you discover the perfect combinations that speak to your taste preferences.

Remember, there's no wrong way to enjoy these delightful treats. The joy is in the journey of discovery, as each pairing reveals new dimensions of flavor and enjoyment.

Empanada Pairings: Perfect Drinks to Enjoy with Your Favorite Flavors