Cookbooks
Never Say Never to Dolce
A brand-new collection of 50 approachable homemade desserts – from iconic Cannoli to Dolci al Cucchiaio and more – that proves there’s always room for a little sweetness.
Manuela’s Sweet Temptations
A collection of 50 irresistible dessert recipes, from classic Italian treats to modern favorites—including gluten-free options.
The Complete Italian Cookbook: Essential Regional Cooking of Italy
A collection of 50 irresistible dessert recipes, from classic Italian treats to modern favorites—including gluten-free options.
Spanish Aperitivo with Pan con Tomate and Tequila Spritz
Bring a little Spanish-inspired aperitivo home with this simple and delicious pairing! Crispy grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with juicy grated tomatoes, olive oil, and flaky sea salt makes the perfect Pan con Tomate, especially served with jamón serrano, Spanish cheeses, and olives. Pair it with a bright and refreshing Cara Cara Orange Tequila Spritz made with fresh orange juice, tequila, sparkling wine, and sparkling water for an easy, bubbly cocktail that’s perfect for sipping and sharing.
This post is written in collaboration with Lobos 1707 Tequila. All opinions are mine alone. #21andup
There’s something about a beautiful aperitivo spread that makes any moment feel a little more special.
Today I’m giving my usual Italian-inspired aperitivo a Spanish twist, with two simple recipes that are perfect together: classic Pan con Tomate and a refreshing Cara Cara Orange Tequila Spritz.
For a delicious Pan con Tomate, the secret is really in the ingredients. Start with a good-quality rustic bread that gets beautifully crisp when grilled, ripe and flavorful tomatoes, a fresh garlic clove, and your best extra-virgin olive oil—the better the ingredients, the better the final result.
Make a board with some jamón serrano, Spanish cheeses, salted almonds and olives, and you have the easiest little spread that feels both rustic and special. And a sure crowd-pleaser!
And of course, every good aperitivo needs a good cocktail!
For the Cara Cara Orange Tequila Spritz, I love using sweet, juicy Cara Cara oranges, or blood oranges when they’re in season, along with a good sparkling wine—I’m using Prosecco—and Lobos 1707 Reposado, a smooth tequila made from 100% Blue Weber agave, aged in American white oak and finished in PX sherry casks.
A few fresh orange slices, plenty of ice, and a splash of sparkling water bring everything together, making this cocktail bright, refreshing, and beautifully balanced with a subtle richness that makes it especially lovely alongside a Spanish-inspired aperitivo.
Simple food, a beautiful cocktail, and plenty of time to enjoy them—that’s my kind of aperitivo.
Cheers!
Other Appetizer recipes you might like:
- Traditional Bruschetta with Burrata Cheese
- Bruschetta alla Parmigiana
- Italian Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms
- The Perfect Aperitivo Board
- Focaccia Bread with Green Olives
- Bruschetta with Caramelized Figs
- Polpette di Melanzane (Eggplant Balls)
- Frittata Roll Ups
- Italian Panelle (Chickpea Fritters)
- Italian Panzerotti
VIDEO RECIPE
Spanish Aperitivo with Pan con Tomate and Tequila Spritz
Bring a little Spanish-inspired aperitivo home with this simple and delicious pairing! Crispy grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with juicy grated tomatoes, olive oil, and flaky sea salt makes the perfect Pan con Tomate, especially served with jamón serrano, Spanish cheeses, and olives. Pair it with a bright and refreshing Cara Cara Orange Tequila Spritz made with fresh orange juice, tequila, sparkling wine, and sparkling water for an easy, bubbly cocktail that’s perfect for sipping and sharing.
Servings:
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
Resting Time
Total Time
15 min
Ingredients
Pan con Tomate
- 2 large ripe, juicy tomatos
- 1 small garlic clove
- 6 slices crusty bread
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Flaky sea salt
Orange Tequila Spritz(makes 1)
- 2 oz Lobos 1707 Reposado
- 2 oz fresh Cara Cara orange juice
- 2 oz prosecco
- 1 oz sparkling water
- Ice
- Cara Cara orange slices, for garnish
Instructions
Pan con tomate
- Brush the bread slices lightly with olive oil. Grill over medium-high heat until crisp and golden on both sides.
- Cut the tomatoes in half and grate on the large holes of a box grater. Discard the skin. Pour the grated tomato through a fine-mesh sieve to remove some of the excess liquid. Season with a pinch of salt.
- While the bread is still warm, lightly rub each slice with the cut side of the garlic clove.
- Spoon the grated tomato generously over the toasted bread. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
- Enjoy immediately with jamón serrano, Spanish cheeses, olives, or your favorite aperitivo bites.
Orange Tequila Spritz
- Fill a wine glass with ice and add a few Cara Cara orange slices.
- Pour in the tequila and fresh Cara Cara orange juice.
- Top with sparkling wine and sparkling water.
- Gently stir and garnish with another orange slice.
