You heard it here first: boozing hard on Halloween is for amateurs. After all, why waste your precious drinking stamina on fluorescent-colored punch and overly-sweet concoctions studded with candy corn? Instead, save your strength for Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday dedicated to commemorating loved ones who have passed away. Celebrate with these 8 delicious Day of the Dead-centric cocktails from Bay Area restaurants and bars, showcasing prime tequilas and mezcals and a spirited appreciation for the culturally rich holiday.
El Diablito at Lolò
This cocktail is one of the tastiest, and prettiest, tipples on Lolò's Tablero Loteria-inspired cocktail list. Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, lime, and grapefruit soda are further brightened with the addition of Aperol. Ponder the origin of the Diablito folklore, which will certainly be enhanced after you take down a second round of these.
The Evil Eye at Alembic
Alembic is going all out this year with a dedicated cocktail menu in honor of Dia de los Muertos. All three drinks showcase Suerte tequila, but we're most excited about the Evil Eye, which combines Suerte blanco with yellow chartreuse, Sutton Cellars vermouth, and strawberry bitters, plus a floating olive to represent an eyeball! It tastes delicious and wards off bad spirits. What more could you ask for in a drink?
Jack Satan at Comal
Jack Satan has been a staple on Berkeley hot spot Comal's menu since it opened; the bright, floral creation is one of our all-time favorite tequila drinks, and is decidedly apropos for Day of the Dead. Partida reposado tequila is laced with hibiscus, an "inferno tincture," and lime; all of which is sipped through a smokey, chili-rimmed glass.
El Chupacabra at La Urbana
Leave it to La Urbana to create a special Dia de los Muertos menu, too—the Divisadero restaurant has an enviable tequila and mezcal list. We're obsessed with the dangerously delicious Chupacabra (named for the demonic spirit that roams the Americas), which combines Sombra mezcal, Yerba Santa syrup, absinthe, and Chapulin salt bitters, before being finished with a chocolate-covered guasano (mezcal worm!).
Senor Swayze at Hecho
Speaking of honoring loved ones who have passed away, pour one out for everyone's favorite roadhouse bouncer/dance instructor with this smoky, sultry cocktail at Hecho. Del Meguay Vida mezcal is blended with rich Pedro Jimenez sherry, and spiced with fresh ginger, ginger beer, and Angostura bitters.
Smoking Gun at Copita
Get yourself to Sausalito to try this one-two punch of tequila and mezcal, only availble from October 31 to November 2. Arette tequila and Xicaru mezcal are combined with agave, grapefruit juice, and St. Germain for a simple, flavorful drink that showcases both of these excellent spirits. A Smoking Gun, indeed.
Rodeo Ghost #3 at West of Pecos
This is the third version of Pecos' mezcal negroni, a delicious, smoky riff on the classic cocktail. #3 features Fidencio Classico mezcal, Zucca Amaro, and Gran Classico, plus Dolin sweet vermouth infused with grapefruit peel (the drink is garnished with fresh grapefruit, too).
