Día de los Muertos Cocktail Recipes – Cheers to Life!

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is truly a celebration of life.

The History of Dia de los Muertos

Celebrating The Day of the Dead has a long history in Mexican Tradition. The Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 2^nd. You may hear references to “the Days of the Dead” which refers to the days of October 31 – November 2.

November first is “el Día de los innnocentes” or the Day of the Children / All Saint Day.

November second is “el Día de los Muertos” the Day of the Dead or All Souls Day.

In the U.S., or for those who aren’t able to visit the gravesite, altars are setup at home and local communities may host a variety of celebratory events. Altars are decorated with candles, flowers, pan de muerto, ceramic skulls, and photos of loved ones.

The offerings placed upon the altar are called ofrendas, or offerings in English, and consist of the loved one’s favorite dishes, treats, and beverages. Drinks are placed at the altar to quench the thirst of the dead after their long journey home. Alcohol is a customary offering.

It’s with this in mind that we’ve prepared a list of inspired cocktails to help you celebrate your loved ones and the eternal cycle of life.

Marigold Ofrenda

The marigold flower is typically used to decorate ofrendas and gravesites during Day of the Dead festivities. They are thought to attract the souls to the offerings.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Gold Tequila
• ¾ Triple Sec
• 1 oz. Lime Juice
• ½ Agave Nectar
• ½ cup Melon – cantaloupe
• Pinch Chili Pepper
• Garnish: Flowers

Directions

1. Muddle the cantaloupe and triple sec in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
2. Add the remaining ingredients with ice and shake vigorously.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a marigold flower.

Spicy Turmeric Margarita

This cocktail is great for Día De Los Muertos because turmeric has a lot of healing properties. Bring peace and healing to your palette with this one.

Ingredients

• 1½ tequila
• 1 oz. Citrónage Lime
• 1 oz. lime juice
• 1 chopped red chili pepper
• 1 pinch turmeric
• Salt Mix: ½ oz. turmeric, ½ oz. chili powder and 2 oz. coarse salt

Directions

1. Rim glass with salt mix
2. Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice
3. Shake hard to dissolve turmeric and chill ingredients
4. Fine strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass
5. Garnish with a lime wheel

Pumpkin Margarita

Pumpkins are often used as offerings on altars and is found in Mexican cuisine year-round

Ingredients

• 1½ Mezcal
• 2 tbsp. pumpkin butter
• ½ oz. cinnamon syrup
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt, for rim

Directions

1. Use a lime wedge to wet the rim of a glass, and then roll in salt for a salted rim.
2. Add Mezcal, lime juice, syrup, and pumpkin butter to a cocktail shaker.
3. Shake with ice and strain into your salt-rimmed glass.