Pairing Jamón Ibérico correctly — a note on horchata

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Jamón Ibérico. I ordered it with horchata and the smoky and savoury elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. smoked paprika in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Spanish eating culture centres on long social meals rather than quick eating. The a siesta-hour lunch restaurant is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Jamón Ibérico with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.