How to Savour the Spirit of Día de los Muertos Through Food and Drink
How to Savour the Spirit of Día de los Muertos Through Food and Drink
We certainly don’t need an excuse to dive into a bang-up Mexican meal and enjoy a Don Julio cocktail, but Día de los Muertos is the perfect occasion to do so.
Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican celebration that sees the dearly departed return to the realm of the living for one night each year. If that sounds spooky don’t worry, it is not. They are not púca or banshees; they are our nearest and dearest coming back to say hello.
To learn more about the traditions and culture surrounding Día de los Muertos and how we can celebrate it here in Ireland, we spoke with Pepe Rodríguez, Operations and Business Development Manager at the ALL AT ONE TABLE Restaurant Group, which includes Suertudo, a beloved neighbourhood Mexican restaurant in Ranelagh and one of Dublin’s most talked-about dining spots.
“For us Mexicans, Día de los Muertos is not a sad day, it is a beautiful celebration of life. It is the time when we welcome back the souls of our loved ones who have passed away. We remember them through their favourite food, drinks, music, and the things they loved the most.”
– Pepe Rodríguez.
To welcome their loved ones back, Mexican families build an altar known as an ofrenda, decorated with photos of the departed and candles to light their way home from heaven. They also add offerings representing things their loved ones enjoyed in life and of course, food and drink.
Celebrating Life Through Food And Drink
Naturally, one of the best ways to celebrate the Day of the Dead is by sharing a spread of traditional Mexican dishes and drinks with your loved ones, both in this realm and the next.
To honour your ancestors, raise a toast to them. In Mexico, tequila is the offering of choice, a spirit deeply intertwined with culture and identity, much like whiskey is in Ireland.
Tequila is more than just a simple drink. It is a complex spirit that should be savoured and respected, especially at this time of year. There are many varieties of tequila. Don Julio Blanco, for example, is crisp, bright and zesty, while Reposado is mellow and rich, and Añejo is deep and woody. Each bottle has its own personality and flavour profile that deserves to be experienced and explored.
The cultural significance of tequila is difficult to put into words. It is often used at rituals and celebrations, and of course during Día de los Muertos. If you are making an ofrenda, leave a bottle of Don Julio for your loved ones and enjoy a sip yourself. You can drink it neat, savour it, or have it mixed into a cocktail. At Suertudo, the bartenders will do the hard work for you and create something truly special.
“We set up water and tequila because we believe there is a long way back from heaven to our homes.”
– Pepe Rodríguez.
A highlight of the cocktail menu is the Tequila Mockingbird, made with Don Julio Tequila, grilled pineapple and lime. It is bright and refreshing, and as Pepe says, it is “fresh, vibrant, and full of spirit, just like Día de los Muertos.”
Food is a big part of the festivities too, with sweet treats a particular favourite among the living and dead. Pan de Muerto is traditional sweet bread decorated with skeleton motifs and is integral to the celebration. Savoury dishes such as tamales, pozole and mole are popular too.
You can experience authentic dishes from all over Mexico at Suertudo with their mole a particular must-try. Tender, melt-in-the-mouth short rib is drenched in rich, earthy mole made from chillies, spices and chocolate. It is smooth, velvety and deeply comforting, with sweet and savoury notes that would work really well with Don Julio Reposado. Best of all, if you want extra mole, the team will come around and pour more directly onto your plate.
Why Celebrate Día de los Muertos
Ireland and Mexico have more in common than you might think, and one of those things is spirituality. As we approach the end of October and feel the chill of winter setting in, there is something in the air that feels slightly mystical in both cultures. Our pagan ancestors believed that at this time the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest, and our friends in Mexico share that belief.
So there must be something to it, and if we have another chance to celebrate life, love and memories with friends and family on both sides, why not take it?
For Pepe, celebrating this part of his culture each year keeps him connected to his identity. Though far from home and his living family, he feels close to his heavenly family when he celebrates. It is a beautiful concept he loves to share with his Irish friends and customers.
“I will say the majority of Mexicans are very proud of their culture. We always want to show what we do. If you have an Irish friend, involve them, it might make them feel more connected to someone they have lost.”- Pepe Rodríguez.
If you are Mexican living in Ireland, or simply curious about the festivities, you can join the celebrations at Suertudo on November 2, or create your own ofrenda at home. Decorate it with offerings for your departed loved ones, or even public figures you admire who have passed. Remember them, tell stories about them, celebrate their lives, and take comfort in knowing they may be near you for the night.
And of course, pour a drink and toast their legacy with Don Julio.
Salud and feliz Día de los Muertos.
Enjoy Don Julio responsibly.
