Today, people across Mexico will be celebrating ‘Dia de los Muertos’ – a festival dedicated to their ancestors. Literally translated as ‘the day of the dead’ it honours both death and the cycle of life. In Mexico, neighbours gather in local cemeteries to share food, music, and fun with their extended community, both living and departed. The celebration acknowledges that we still have a relationship with our ancestors and loved ones that have passed away.
I’m very grateful to the Mexican ancestors and Mexico because they’ve brought me four most amazing things:
- Chocolate
- Chillies
- Tequila
- Wahaca – OK so this one isn’t quite from Mexico but inspired by Mexico
So let’s start with Tequila and Wahaca.
Today sees the launch of the fabulous Azulito Bar on the lower ground floor of the Wardour Street restaurant in London. Azulito means ‘little blue’ and comes from from the Blue Agave plant which is fermented to create Tequila. The bar offers 80 types of 100% agave tequilas and there is even a tequila cage where you can get close up and read tasting notes and look at the tequilas they might want to try. Staying true to their principles of supporting communities in Mexico, Wahaca have worked with the Mexican National Tequila Chamber to bring you a new tequila every month. They hope this way that lesser known brands can get some recognition internationally. You can find out more about some of the other great community work they do on their blog.
Now I’m not a big fan of neat tequila but I do love the odd Margarita . Azulito’s signature cocktail is the Classic Margarita and is made with organic agave syrup which releases sugar more slowly and makes the drink mellower. Yummy!
I also love cooking with Tequila and using it as a substitute for rum flavours in recipes. Wahaca’s founder Thomasina Miers has a wonderful recipe book which uses many of the ingredients you’ll taste in the restaurant – including tequila! I tried the Mexican Flan with Tequila Syrup and must confess to being grateful for the extra syrup to lick from the pan!
So, back to the ‘Dia de los Muertos’, please join me in raising a glass to Mexico’s fathers, forefathers and forefathers before them. Thank you for Tequila! Salud!
P.S This post is not sponsored by Wahaca. I’m just truly a big fan!
They have the same festival in France too ~ Catholic country thing I think! Mind you our All Souls Day is also the same……now Mexican Flans I know and LOVE and that looks fabulous!
Karen
When I lived in Japan we were invited to a family O-Bon festival in August which is on the same lines too. It’s fascinating and lovely to see the younf engaging with elders and respecting those who have passed away too. Thanks for commenting 🙂
Tempted to try making the flan, looks delicious in your photo
It was lovely and light and the tequila syrup is what made it!
I’ve never been to Mexico but would absolutely love to go. Chocolate and chilli is one of my favourite combinations and I love Wahaca…although am not a huge tequila fan. Three out of four of your favourites is pretty good going though 🙂
Yep not bad! We have a lot in common 🙂
I can’t go near Tequila but I’m crazy about Wahaca! Went to the Westfield Stratford one last week and I suspect it won’t be long until I go back!
So do I detect a story here about why you can’t go near tequila? It took me a long long time to go back to Tequila. 25th Birthday celebrations in Mexican Bar in Tokyo….