Behind The Kevin Hart Tequila Dinner In Naples

Typically, when I share food and drink pairings, they involve wine. But not this time. I'm taking you to the Kevin Hart tequila dinner in Naples. It was so good that the event is also this week's Fabulous Find for more than one reason.

Comedian Kevin Hart has a tequila brand called Gran Coramino. To craft this premium spirit he teamed up with 11th generation tequila maker Juan Domingo Beckmann. Beckmann is also the CEO of Jose Cuervo so he knows a little bit about the Mexican spirit.

Gran Coramino Tequila is served at Rocco's Tacos in Naples. The colorful restaurant is known for having a great selection and they like to showcase it in a variety of ways including wine dinners. They invited me to their latest and it was so impressive that I have to share it so you can book a seat at the next one.

This was a true collaboration between the beverage and culinary teams. The welcome cocktail featured Gran Coramino Cristalino. It is a clear reposado that is finished in California Cabernet wine casks before getting filtered.

All of Hart's tequila's have a wine barrel connection as an homage to the state he calls home and its reputation for world-class wine. During this dinner, each of the tequilas was poured neat so we could really taste its unique flavors. In addition, they were served in a cocktail with ingredients that complimented the food courses.

Sure, we began with Rocco's famous guacamole and chips. But the courses to follow were gourmet all the way. Each one also incorporated tequila in marinades or sauces.

The tequila is a Fabulous Find and so are the wine dinners. As I'm publishing this, Rocco's Tacos has not announced the next one. Be sure to check their website and sign up for any communications to keep up to date on dinners, future tequila tastings and educational events. It was a ton of tasty fun.

In the meantime, look for this tequila. It's a good buy.

By the way, there were hopes and even rumors he would make a cameo at the fiesta. However, the superstar's schedule did not permit. Maybe next time.

Gran Coramino has three premium tequilas in the lineup. They are all available at Rocco's Tacos and in the world of retail. They are also good value for their quiality.

Gina Birch checks out the sleek bottles of Gran Coramino Tequila by the tequila lockers at Rocco's Tacos in the Mercato Shops, Naples.

The Grand Hibiscus was our reception cocktail. It was made with Cristalino which had sweet berry notes. It was perfect with the hibuscus on a hot day. Also nice with the house made guacamole, salty chips and watermelon salad for the first course at Rocco's Tacos in Naples.

This watermelon salad had baby arugula, radish, crumbled feta and mint. It was paired with Cristalino Reposado. Both had lots of fresh flavors, perfect for SWFL

Reposado was the second course. The tequila was smooth, had some vanilla and was infused with a little jalapeno for this cocktail. It also had some sweet pineapple to balance the heat and was fantaistic with the Wahoo Ceviche.

Second course was a spicy Wahoo Ceviche that melted in your mouth. The thin slices were topped iwth pickled waterelon radish, serrano peppers and cucumber. It was served with a Gran Coramino Reposado cocktail that was equally as spicy.

This filet was so tender you could literally cut it with a fork. It was served with goat cheese potatoes, and grilled asparagus. The au poivre sauce was made with tequila instead of cognac and it was out of this world.

This combo was a table favorite. Brown Sugar pudding with the Gran Coramino Anejo. The tequila cocktail featured the anejo which had beautifl notes of coffe, dark chocolate, cinnamon and vanilla. The cocktail itself was reminiscent of an expresso martini and went down way too easy for all of us.

Rocco's Tacos at Mercato in North Naples is colorful and fun. The art and decor is big, bold and over the top. Just like some of the flavors in the food and cocktails paired together at our Gran Coramino Tequila dinner.