1. Traditional Mexican drinks to complement
your meal
Traditional Mexican drinks to complement your meal
Because many of the dishes which Mexican restaurants such as El Camion serve are hot and
spicy, most people don’t think of washing down their meals with anything b ut water, or perhaps
a cold beer. However, there are plenty of delicious hot and cold Mexican drinks which
complement traditional dishes perfectly.
Horchata is a sweet and spicy drink which dates back centuries, and was originally made using
ground nuts. Now it is typically prepared using cinnamon, sugar, almonds, milk and rice.
Although the drink is sometimes served hot, the milk in it makes it perfect for when you’re
eating a spicy Mexican meal in a restaurant, as this ingredient has cooling properties. Horchata is
also often consumed on its own as an after dinner dessert-drink.
Tequila is a traditional Mexican spirit which when distilled correctly, can el camion taste
incredible. It is best served as an after dinner drink to sip on, as it does not work well with the
typical chilli laden dishes found in Mexican restaurants. This drink is made using the agave plant
and has been a favourite drink in Mexico for many centuries; it was commonly consumed by the
Aztecs as part of their ceremonies. In the same way that real Champagne can only be found in
the Champagne region of France, authentic Mexican tequila can only be found in the Tequila
region of Jalisco in Mexico.
For those who prefer a less intoxicating, and more refreshing beverage when dining out at El
Camion, Aguas Frescas is a deliciously cooling drink. It is similar to lemonade, as it is prepared
using a blend of fresh fruit, sugar and water, however Mexicans usually use whatever fr uit is in
season at the time. The most commonly used fruits include lime, papayas, mangos and
tamarinds. The taste of this drink is light and sweet; the perfect accompaniment for spicy meals.

2. Atole (pronounced ah-tol-ay) is an ancient Mexican drink recipe. Drinking something which is
made with a base of corn flour might sound strange at first, however those with an adventurous
palate will be glad they tried this delicious drink. Atole is warm and comforting, akin to hot
chocolate and its name is derived from the language of the Aztecs. It is made using a Mexican
corn flour dough called masa harina, along with vanilla, cinnamon, ‘piloncillo’ (a hot sugarcane
syrup) and water. The consistency of this drink will vary from restaurant to restaurant, with some
serving it thin and watery, and others serving it as thick as porridge. It tastes particularly good
when consumed with a Mexican sweet bread like pan de huevo, on a cold winter’s day. Some
restaurants such as El Camion also serve a chocolate version of Atole, known as champurrado;
this is prepared using bitter Mexican chocolate and a sprinkling of anise seeds.