Tequila has come a long way in Australia since the days of drunkenly slamming shots in between sucks of salt and lime. Today, a huge range of high quality tequilas can be found at our bars and on bottle-o shelves, with classics like Jose Cuervo being joined by recent favourites like Espolon and Tromba.

And as more bars are stocking the classic spirit and more trendy taquerias are opening across our major cities we begin to realise certain things: tequila is incredibly diverse; it can be used for more than just shots and it goes great with food.

Australian tequila lovers were quick to learn that the spirit can be accompanied by many delicious foods – let’s take a look at some of them below:

1. Ceviche

Did Mexico invent it? Or was it the Peruvians? Both countries lay claim to this delightfully refreshing combination of fresh fish, herbs, onion, lime and chile, with many Peruvians swearing it can only be enjoyed with one beverage – the Pisco sour.

But in Mexico, ceviche is served alongside an uber-refreshing tequila cocktail, something like the Paloma (with tequila, lime and soda). There is nothing to put you in a more tropical mood than pairing ocean-fresh, lime-cured fish with the cooling tastes of a tequila cocktail – try it next time you need your tastebuds to whisk you away to somewhere beachy.

2. Tacos

Okay, you probably knew this list wasn’t going to go too far without mentioning the word “tacos”. And, you were right, but not just because it’s a Mexican combo – well, yes, of course, but they also do happen to taste really good together.

Tacos and tequila (or TnT), have been enjoyed by Mexicans for many, many moons, and there are special ways of pairing the spirit with the world’s ultimate street food.

For fish tacos, go for a white tequila, and for more meaty tacos go for a reposado – you won’t regret it.

3. Grilled fish & seafood

We know we’ve already run through ceviche, but eating grilled fish and seafood with tequila is worlds apart from eating cured fish with tequila. Grilled fish has a wonderful smokiness that is perfectly complemented by tequila’s rich and complex flavours.

What’s more, there is nothing that shouts fiesta! more than firing up the weber and laying down a nice whole snapper filled with aromatics alongside a few tequila cocktails.

4. Jalapeño poppers

Jalapeño poppers are delicious, period. If you haven’t tried them even when not drinking tequila, do yourself a favour and go to your nearest taqueria serving up this scrumptious, spicy bar food.

They also go amazingly with tequila. The ultimate way to pair bar snacks with the spirit, a nice tequila cocktail will add refreshment and cool off the palates of those less comfortable with spice.

5. Steak or burgers

That’s right, steak isn’t reserved to red wine just as burgers aren’t reserved to beer! Throughout Mexico, beer is consumed alongside tequila in great quantities, with the intense flavours of reposado and anejo both providing fabulous compliments to the beef’s richness and full flavour.

Whether you’re having the steak on its own, making some delicious barbecued burgers or putting some pulled beef into an enchilada (though keep your top shelf tequila right there on the top shelf for enchiladas) beef is a wonderful food pairing with amazing tequila.

There you have it, the most utterly taste-tantalising food pairings with a beautiful tequila. Viva tequila and viva Mexico for creating such wonderful gastronomical delights.