Halloween may be over, but the festivities aren’t gone quite yet, all thanks to a popular Latin holiday that’s widely celebrated throughout the country. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Day) is when Latinos unite to honor the lives of friends and families that have passed away. On November 2nd, many dress in colorful costumes, prepare sugary calaveras, decorate gravesites with blooming marigolds, and unveil elaborate altars that pay tribute to the dearly departed. While many have their own traditional ways of celebrating Dia De Los Muertos, one method that never goes out of style is raising a glass filled with tequila, Mexico’s national drink. In time for Dia de Los Muertos, top mixologists from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York have created Day of the Day cocktails that all feature Espolon Tequila, famous for using pure agave. In addition, they explain how their new creations honor this special day in style. Rattle your bones and pay tribute to your loved ones with these Dia De Los Muertos cocktails that will keep any fiesta alive throughout the night.
The Procession
Created by Daniel Hyatt (The Alembic, San Francisco)
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Espolon Tequila Blanco
.75 oz. White crème de cacao
.5 oz. Ruby port
.75 oz. Chilled hibiscus tea
2 Dashes of orange bitters
1 Orange peel for garnish
Preparation
Shake ingredients together with ice and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a strip of orange peel.
Background
In Mexico, hibiscus is a well-known ingredient, most popular in the traditional drink, Agua Fresca. Its striking color and slightly tangy bite add layers to this cocktail, creating a truly complex drink. The pink-red hue of this cocktail is one of the most vibrant colors you will see gracing the streets during Dia de los Muertos.
The Afterlife
Created by Jorge Guzman (Ofrenda, New York)
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Espolon Tequila Reposado
.5 oz. Frangelico
.5 oz. Lemon juice
1 oz. Chile Piquin-Cinnamon Syrup
2 Dashes of wormwood bitters
Preparation
Shake ingredients together and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Background
The exotic spices in this cocktail complement the bold flavor notes and sweet tropical fruits found in Espolon Reposado. Essentially, the drink is a celebration of life and death. Both sweet and spicy notes in the drink echo the light and dark moments that people experience throughout their existence on earth. In the afterlife, these moments live on and continue to be celebrated.
Los Muertos
Created by Raul Yrastorza (Las Perlas, Los Angeles)
Ingredients
2 oz. Espolon Tequila Reposado
1 oz. Lime juice
.5 Apple cider vinegar shrub
.5 oz. Cardamaro Amaro
1 bar spoon apple butter-infused agave nectar
4 Muddled apple chunks
Apple cider foam for garnish
Blackstrap molasses for garnish
Preparation
Muddle apple chunks in bottom of a mixing glass. Shake all ingredients together with ice and double strain into a rocks glass over ice. Top with apple cider foam and drizzle with blackstrap molasses.
Background
During Day of the Dead, ofrendas (offerings) are given to the dead, and range from fruits to music, tequila, song, and dance. Inspired by the open-air fruit and spice markets of Oaxaca, Mexico, this cocktail combines flavors of apple, agave, and ground spice. It is-at its core-an offering, paying tribute to the dead in its combination of traditional gifts often left at altars.
