Fun Day of the Dead Cocktail (Muertes Dia)

By Becky Hardin

Updated Aug 25, 2026

ShareJump to Recipe

This Day of the Dead Cocktail made with Exotico Tequila is easy, festive, and fun to make. I combine tequila with fresh orange juice and a splash of chocolate extract for a unique flavor twist. For a slightly less potent drink, I like to add mandarin sparkling water, but it’s optional. Fruity, festive, and full of flavor, this is a refreshing drink that always makes an appearance at my Day of the Dead celebration.

Delicious Day of The Dead Cocktail

The Day of the Dead, also known as All Souls’ Day, is a Mexican holiday celebrated across the country. It takes place annually over several days, ending on the 2nd of November. It is a time when people remember family members who have died, though it is also a celebration of life.

This cocktail is easy to make; the only thing you will need is a shaker. I find a shaker is the best way to fully integrate the ingredients. Fresh, fruity, with a hint of chocolate, it’s just a matter of combining everything, and it takes just minutes. This recipe makes a single serving, so double or triple it depending on how many drinks you want to make.

Tips for Beginners

• Give it a good shake. You should shake for at least 20 seconds so that the ingredients are fully combined; otherwise, you won’t get the best taste possible. Shake the cocktail until the outside of the shaker is icy cold.
• Serve immediately. Don’t let this drink sit too long after you prepare it, as the ice will melt and dilute the flavor.
• Use freshly squeezed orange juice. I find freshly squeezed gives the drink a more vibrant flavor.
• Don’t skip the chocolate extract. This adds another dimension of flavor, but go easy on it as it is quite potent and you don’t want it to overpower the drink.
• Add the sparkling water last. If you are going to add the mandarin sparkling water, add it last so it keeps its fizz.

Recipe Card

Day of the Dead Cocktail (Muertes Dia)

Difficulty: Easy

5 from 6 votes

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1 drink

Author: Becky Hardin

Print Rate Pin

This Day of the Dead Cocktail is easy and fun to make, and the perfect way to enjoy the festivities, made with orange juice and chocolate extract for a delicious alcoholic drink that never fails to impress.

Save this recipe!

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you, plus new recipes weekly!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Name *

Email *

Go

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ ice
• ▢ ¼ oz. absinthe
• ▢ 1½ oz. Exotico Tequila
• ▢ 1½ oz. orange juice
• ▢ 2 dashes chocolate extract
• ▢ 2 dashes orange bitters
• ▢ ¼ oz. allspice dram optional
• ▢ 1½ oz. mandarin sparkling water optional
• ▢ mandarin slices optional for garnish

Instructions 

• Fill a small glass with ice.
  ice
• Pour absinthe over the ice to distribute evenly.
  ¼ oz. absinthe
• Pour the tequila, orange juice, chocolate extract, bitters, and allspice dram into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake hard for 15-20 seconds.
  1½ oz. Exotico Tequila, 1½ oz. orange juice, 2 dashes chocolate extract, 2 dashes orange bitters, ¼ oz. allspice dram
• Remove the ice from the small glass. The glass should smell of absinthe.
• Strain the contents of the shaker into the glass.
• Top with a splash of sparkling mandarin water.
  1½ oz. mandarin sparkling water
• Garnish with mandarin orange slices. Enjoy!
  mandarin slices

Serving: 1drinkCalories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 85mgSugar: 4gVitamin A: 85IUVitamin C: 21mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Store

This cocktail does not store well. The ice will melt and dilute the flavor. Only make as much as you will drink.

Make Ahead

If you want to get a head start, you could combine the tequila, orange juice, chocolate extract, bitters, and allspice dram and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a day. When ready to serve, transfer to the shaker with ice and follow the rest of the recipe.

Enjoy These Snacks With Your Cocktail

No Day of the Dead celebration at my house is complete without a few Mexican-inspired snacks. I find this drink goes well with handheld taco cups for easy snacking. And I always make a batch of creamy guacamole so I can add a few dollops to my tacos. A homemade salsa and a batch of tortilla chips are usually enough to round out the offering and keep everyone happy. This recipe only makes one serving, so I’ll often double or triple it so everyone can have a glass.

More Day of The Dead Cocktail Recipes

• In this Blood Orange Margarita, I find the sweet-tart flavor of fresh blood orange juice blends perfectly with tequila and lime.
• This recipe for Jalapeño Margaritas, is a fun twist of a classic with a hint of spice.
• I make this refreshing Tequila Sunrise Drink with orange juice, grenadine, tequila, and beer.

more cocktail recipes

Mojitos By The Pitcher Recipe

Holiday Punch Recipe

Caramel Apple Hot Toddy Cocktail

Cranberry Aperol Spritz