Celebrate Day of the Dead/Halloween at these San Antonio Bars

San Antonio Bars Get Creative for Day of the Dead/Halloween + Spooky Recipes

With Halloween (October 31) creeping up and Dia De Los Muertos/Day of the Dead (November 1 and 2) not far behind, you will be looking for unusual and chilling cocktails to enjoy. America’s tradition of Halloween is typically celebrated with costume parties full of festive punches and scares while Mexico’s holiday honors the dead with photo-filled altars, marigolds and memories. A form of celebration during Dia de los Muertos is often gathering with family and friends to enjoy favorite food and drinks while remembering a loved one who has passed on. 

Below you will find some information on San Antonio bars that up their cocktail program during the Halloween/Day of the Dead season, along with recipes for you to make right from home.

The Squeezebox in San Antonio, Texas

Owner/Bartender Aaron Pena of live music bar, The Squeezebox, (which is located along the trendy St. Mary’s Strip) collaborated with a local, family-owned salts and seasonings company, Twang, to create these two cocktails, seasoned with Twang-A-Rita cocktail rimming blends, at his bar. Witches’ Brew and Wake The Dead are available for patrons looking to sip festive Halloween and Day of the Dead libations. Price: $8

Witches’ Brew at The Squeezebox Single serving:

Twang-A-Rita Nectarberry  

2 oz Cinnamon liqueur

3/4oz pomegranate syrup

3oz Apple cider 

Top with champagne 

***Punch recipe:

16oz cinnamon liqueur 

6oz pomegranate syrup 

24oz Apple cider

1 full 750ml bottle of Champagne (Cava)

Wake The Dead at The Squeezebox

Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime

1oz Bourbon

1oz Gin

.5 oz simple syrup

.25 oz lime juice

Shaken topped with ginger beer 

Two dashes Angostura bitters

Downstairs at the Esquire Tavern in San Antonio, Texas

While shades of bright orange and yellow marigolds, sugar skulls and photo-filled altars associated with Día de los Muertos are colorful, Downstairs at the Esquire Tavern ( located along the River Walk) honors the dead with a more shadowy take – with a drink called Midnight in Mexico. This dark, yet bright and alluring cocktail was created by Beverage Director Houston Eaves to represent the balance of life and death that is traditionally celebrated during Día De Los Muertos. The cocktail is only available during the two days of the holiday in honor of Mexican culture and traditions.  Price: $11

Midnight in Mexico at Downstairs at the Esquire Tavern  

1.5oz Mezcal Vago Elote

.75oz Ancho Reyes

.75oz Fernet-Vallet

Stir well with ice in a mixing glass, strain over a large piece of ice in a rocks glass. Express oil from a wide grapefruit swath, and garnish with a grapefruit twist. Enjoy!