Five Food and Cocktail Pairings to Try at Coogee's New Mexican Cantina

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Though the availability of good Mexican food in Sydney has increased over the years, the Latin cuisine still seems to hold the reputation that it's all about cheap tacos and a salty margarita or Corona topped with a lime. Most of us love a cheap night out on the tacos and margs, but it would be remiss not to try out the many more eats Mexican cuisine has to offer. Redefining expectations, Coogee's ROCA Mexican Cantina is the brain-child of three Mexican natives, including owner Gerardo Macip (responsible for Calaveras Mexican Cantina & Tequila Bar in Newtown) along with chefs Jonatan Romero and Daniel Gomez — a team passionate about serving authentic dishes showcasing traditional Mexican flavours and ingredients.

Perhaps you've stuck with tacos for so long because you're not too sure what else you should be ordering. Well lucky for you, the trio behind this latest Coogee restaurant has curated a selection of dishes from their menu and paired them with cocktails to help expand your knowledge on Mexi-eats and take the guess work out of ordering.

CEVICHE DE PESCADO AND A CLAMATO

To get things rolling, start with the ceviche de pescado. This zesty cured fish is served on crispy corn tortillas, along with a cheeky side of chipotle salsa. The vibrant acidity of lime 'cooks' the fish, all while packing the dish with mouthwatering flavour. To top it all off, ROCA's homemade pico de gallo with Tajin chilli seasoning adds that final kick to really get your tastebuds singing. Wash this one down with the Clamato: a classic cocktail with fresh lime juice, tabasco, seasoning and Clamato juice, floated with a splash of Mexican beer.

QUESO FUNDIDO AND A DEATH IN TIJUANA

Up next is the cantina's queso fundido, aka the stuff dreams are made of. Baked and served in a traditional Mexican-style clay pot, this cheesy dip of dreams consists of a simmering bed of pinto beans covered with gooey mozzarella, topped with smokey chorizo and served alongside flour tortillas for good measure. The decadent starter definitely gives the classic fondue a serious run for its money. Help cut through all that cheese with the smokey mezcal-based Death in Tijuana. Mixing together tangy lime juice and bittersweet pink grapefruit with a dash of pomegranate, this is the drink to throw back amidst a cheese-induced coma.

ENCHILADAS RANCHERAS ROJAS AND A PASSION SESIÓN 

A night at ROCA wouldn't be complete without a plate of their enchiladas rancheras rojas. This spicy number serves up corn tortillas filled with pulled marinated chicken, drenched in hot red ranchera salsa and finished with crumbled feta, coriander and Spanish onions. Pair this one with the killer Passion Sesión made up of Sesión Tequila Blanco, lime juice and passionfruit shaken together and served in a chilli-rimmed glass. A pairing for those who don't mind a whole lot of spice.

FAJITA ASADAS AND A MEXICAN MELON SOUR

Be warned: this one's gonna get messy. ROCA's fajitas asadas features spicy chipotle-marinated beef strips, sautéed Spanish onion and capsicum atop a bed of rice and finished with zesty guacamole. Meant to be put together by you, scoop this saucy goodness up with one of the provided flour tortillas, but first make sure you have some serviettes nearby. Soothe any burning from the spice with a Mexican Melon Sour — melon liquor mixed with lime juice and poured over a frozen lemon margarita. And yes, it comes served in a chilli salt-rimmed tiki glass.

FLAUTAS DE POLLO AND AN EL DIABLO

Coming to you all the way from Sinaloa in northern Mexico, these crispy hand-rolled taquitos, typically covered with cheese, cream and guacamole, are famous across the Central American country. ROCA delivers their own take on the Mexican favourite, filled with spicy pulled Guajillo chicken and topped with salsa ranchera, crumbled feta and coriander. Feeling brave? Have your flautas with the 'El Diablo', a cocktail created using Mexico's hottest chilli. Not for the faint hearted, house-infused habanero tequila is mixed with agave nectar and finished with pineapple juice for a sweet tipple with a definite kick.

Dig into these iconic Mexican dishes and wash them down with some tequila and mezcal-based cocktails at ROCA Mexican Cantina & Tequila Bar.