Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, has been celebrated in Mexico for centuries – and here in the states, it’s gaining in popularity. To celebrate, mixologist Matt Doer of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has three cocktails that are sure to please everyone – both alive and in spirit!

 

1. Pumpkin Margarita

We’ll start with a surprising twist on a Mexican classic: the Pumpkin Margarita.

 

Ingredients

1.5 oz mezcal

2 bar spoons pumpkin puree

.5 oz cinnamon syrup

.5 oz lime juice

Salt, for rim

Orange twist

 

Directions

Add the mezcal, lime juice, cinnamon syrup and pumpkin in a mixing tin. Shake with ice, then strain into the salt-rimmed glass and garnish with an orange twist.

 

2. Paloma Perfecta

The Paloma Perfecta snags our second spot.

 

Ingredients

0.75 oz fresh grapefruit juice

0.75 oz fresh lime juice

0.75 oz grapefruit syrup (we can use simple syrup and grapefruit extract)

3 oz Jarritos grapefruit soda

3 oz IPA

 

Directions

Build in a Collins glass over ice. Stir slightly and garnish with grapefruit half-moon.

 

3. El Guapo

Our last offering on this Día de los Muertos is El Guapo.

 

Ingredients

2 oz tequila

.5 oz pear syrup

.75 oz lime juice

Top with ginger beer

Dehydrated lime wheel

 

Directions

Combine tequila, lime, and prickly pear in a mixing tin.  Shake well and strain into a rocks glass.  Top with ginger beer and garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel

 

Feeling thirsty yet?! Now you’ve got three traditional drinks with a holiday twist.