80+ Best Day of the Dead Food and Drink Recipes

Celebrate Día de Muertos in style with over 80 incredible Day of the Dead food and drink recipes! From traditional pan de muerto and sugar skulls, to chocolate caliente and mole negro, this roundup has everything you need to honor loved ones and enjoy the holiday’s vibrant flavors. Whether you’re hosting or preparing an ofrenda, these recipes are must-tries!

Día de Muertos is a colorful celebration of life and like most Mexican holidays, it includes a festive spread of food and drinks. Therefore, to celebrate, I’ve put together a collection of Day of the Dead recipes – some are time-honored and traditional, while others are contemporary interpretations of classics. Needless to say, there’s a little something for everyone to join in on the fun! Check the table of contents below and be sure to pick out your favorite Day of the Dead food and drinks to make this year.

HOT DRINKS FOR DAY OF THE DEAD

Warm up your Día de Muertos festivities with these comforting, non-alcoholic warm beverages! Indulge in classic Mexican hot chocolate, rich with cinnamon and spice, or try atole, a traditional corn-based drink, perfect for cooler weather.

MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE, OAXACA STYLE

On Day of the Dead, drinks such as Mexican hot chocolate are placed on altars in order to lure the spirits of loved ones back to the living world.

ATOLE DE ARROZ

This is a dairy-free, less sweet version of a traditional atole recipe since it only calls for rice, water, coconut milk, cinnamon and sugar. – Bricia Lopez

ATOLE DE VAINILLA

Atole de vainilla is a traditional masa-based beverage, often made with milk, and served hot. – The Other Side of the Tortilla

CAFE DE OLLA

Café de Olla is a delicious and aromatic traditional Mexican coffee beverage that has captivated coffee enthusiasts around the world. – Muy Delish

CHAMPURRADO

This champurrado recipe is made with Mexican chocolate, masa harina, milk, water, cinnamon, and vanilla. – Isabel Eats

COLA MORADA

In Ecuador, this spiced purple corn and berry drink is prepared for the Day of the Deceased celebrations. This traditional recipe is made with a mix of fruits, spices, herbs, and purple corn flour. – Laylita’s Recipes

ATOLE BLANCO

Atole blanco is a hot Mexican beverage typically thickened with dried corn kernels, masa harina (corn flour), masa (corn dough), or corn starch. – Lola’s Cocina

SPICY MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE

This spicy Mexican hot chocolate recipe is a spicy twist on the classic plain chocolate caliente. – The Other Side of the Tortilla

ATOLE DE GUAYABA

Atole de guayaba is thickened with dried corn kernels, masa harina (corn flour), masa (corn dough), or corn starch. It is flavored with fresh guava puree, which adds a tropical twist to this cold-weather drink. 

If you’re not ready to build an altar, start small, with a Tree of Life to honor loved ones.

AGUAS FRECAS AND OTHER REFRESHING NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

When it comes to Day of the Dead recipes, no meal is complete without a refreshing beverage to wash down my meal. Tht’s why I always get excited to make seasonal aguas frecas. In the fall, that usually means I make one of my favorites: agua de guayaba and agua de avena!

RED PRICKLY PEAR AGUA FRECA

Agua de tuna roja is an agua fresca made by blending red prickly pear cactus fruit, water, and sugar.

AGUA DE TUNA VERDE

This agua de tuna verde is very nostalgic and is an ode to my childhood. Getting the right prickly pear to water ratio is essential!

MEXICAN LIME AGUA FRESCA

Agua de limón is one of my favorite aguas frescas and takes me back to Mexico’s vibrant mercados with just one sip.

OATMEAL AGUA FRESCA

Agua de avena is a traditional Mexican drink made with old-fashioned rolled oats, water, cinnamon, and sugar (I opt for dates) and is known for its many health benefits. My recipe is dairy free and free of processed sugars!

PAPAYA AGUA FRESCA

Agua de papaya is a refreshing Mexican drink made with three simple ingredients: fresh papaya, water, and sugar.

SPARKLING MEXICAN LIMONADA

It’s Mexico’s version of sparkling limeade is the ultimate thirst quencher!

ORANGE AGUA FRESCA

Agua de naranja is my absolute favorite agua fresca to sip on while in Oaxaca. The first time I tasted it was at the entrance of the Tlacolula Sunday market. Made with fresh oranges, sugar, and water, it’s one of the easiest aguas frescas to make.

PINAPPLE AGUA FRESCA

Agua de piña is a classic among Mexican aguas frescas. I make mine with fresh pineapple, pure cane sugar, and water and always serve it over plenty of ice. Chile salt on the rim is optional. Add berries, cucumber, or spinach for a fun, colorful, and nutrient-rich twist.

MANGO AGUA FRESCA

Agua de mango is rich in vitamins A and C, which promote healthy skin and eyes, so drink up! 

AGUA DE TAMARINDO

This lip-puckering agua de tamarindo is definitely at the top of my list of aguas frescas. It’s part of the “holy trinity” of aguas frescas, which includes tamarindo (tamarind), jamaica (hibiscus), and horchata.

PINEAPPLE AGUA FRESCA WITH BLUEBERRIES

Pineapple agua fresca with blueberries is a spin on classic agua de piña. I make this refreshing Mexican drink in just a few minutes by blending fresh pineapple chunks and blueberries with water and sugar.

AGUA DE MELON

Agua de melón, translated into English as cantaloupe melon agua fresca, is a refreshing Mexican drink made by blending fresh cantaloupe, water, and sugar.

STRAWBERRY AGUA FRESCA

Strawberry agua fresca is naturally sweet, hydrating, and packed with vitamins and antioxidants from the strawberries.

NARANJADA

A naranjada is a carbonated agua fresca made with freshly squeezed orange juice, sugar, and mineral or sparkling water.

AGUA DE LIMON CON CHIA

The texture and flavor of agua de limón con chía are unforgettable and quite distinct from American lemonade.

PUMPKIN SPICE HORCHATA

Pumpkin Spice Horchata is a seasonal twist on the classic Mexican agua de horchata and it is perfect to add to your Day of the Dead recipes lineup.

MARIGOLD SODA

A delightful marigold mocktail, made with homemade marigold simple syrup.

DAY OF THE DEAD RECIPES: MEXICAN COCKTAILS

Raise a glass with these vibrant Mexican cocktail recipes for Day of the Dead, featuring bold flavors like mezcal, tequila, and marigolds. Perfect for toasting to life and honoring tradition!

ORANGE BLOSSOM MEZCAL SOUR COCKTAIL

Inspired by ingredients in Day of the Dead bread, I’ve created a cocktail to celebrate my favorite holiday.

CAZUELA DRINK

A cazuela voladora is a traditional Mexican cocktail made with tequila, grapefruit soda, citrus juice, and a sprinkle of salt.

STRAWBERRY BEET MEZCAL MARGARITA

The strawberry-beet combination in this mezcal margarita is perfect – slightly sweet and tart from the fresas, with a hint of earthiness from the beet.

PALOMA, LAKE PÁTZCUARO STYLE

What makes Patzcuaro’s Palomas unique is that they are served in large clay mugs called jarritos that are rimmed with chile salt and filled with fresh citrus juices and chunks of freshly cut orange.

LEMON DROP MARGARITA

A perfect blend of two ingredients creates my mouth-puckering Lemon Drop Margarita. 

MARIGOLD INFUSED TEQUILA

This marigold-tequila infusion takes seven days, but after the second day the tequila takes on a beautifully golden color. Cinnamon sticks add a depth of warmth and sweetness.

MANGO MARIGOLD MARGARITA

A vibrant Day of the Dead margarita that features marigold infused tequila, fresh mango juice and plenty of lime juice is a wonderful cocktail when trying marigolds, the flower of the dead, for the first time.

MARIGOLD INFUSED WINE

Infuse wine with beautiful dried marigold to create a floral fragrant wine.

If this is your first year building an ofrenda, be sure to check out my post on Unique Day of the Dead Decorations for Your Home Altar.

APPETIZERS FOR DAY OF THE DEAD

These tasty starters set the tone for a delicious and memorable celebration.

BEEF EMPANADAS

This beef empanada recipe combines both sweet and savory ingredients.

CALACA SANDWICHITOS

With just a few simple tools, colorful vegetables and cookie cutters, your kid’s meal will turn into a festive feast.  

DIA DE MUERTOS EMPANADAS

These Día de Los Muertos Empanadas Calaveras (skull) are stuffed with a creamy tomatillo chicken filling and Mexican cheeses.

TORTILLAS DE CEMPAZUCHITL (MARIGOLD FLOWER-PRESSED TORTILLAS)

Marigold tortillas are the perfect accompaniment to the festivity’s mole, cochinita pibil or a simple queso fundido appetizer.

PUMPKIN EMPANADAS

This recipe for sweet gluten-free Pumpkin Empanadas should definitely be on your fall and winter dessert radar.

RICE, SOUPS, AND SIDES FOR DAY OF THE DEAD

Add the perfect side dishes to your main meal, from the best rice recipes, to soups and salads.

ARROZ ROJO

Arroz rojo, also known as red Mexican rice or Spanish rice, has been a favorite of mine since childhood. It gets its color from a tomato-infused chicken broth. Once you master this recipe, you can easily make any Mexican rice.

MEXICAN WHITE RICE (ARROZ A LA PRIMAVERA)

Arroz a la primavera is flavorful, simple to prepare, and it pairs well with seafood, chicken, and meat dishes.

ARROZ VERDE CON CILANTRO

This cilantro-lime rice is made with a zesty cilantro-lime broth that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.

FIDEO SECO

In this fideo seco recipe, I toast fideo noodles in oil to enhance their rich, nutty flavor, then slowly simmer them in a luscious tomato broth infused with guajillo peppers.

ENSALADA DE LENTEJAS

This refreshing spin on lentejas is a favorite in our home.

TIJUANA CAESAR SALAD

The Tijuana Caesar salad is a classic dish made with romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, crunchy croutons and a light, creamy dressing.

ENSALADA DE NOPALES

This Ensalada de nopales recipe is nutritious and bursts with flavor.

SOPA DE CHAYOTE

This delicious sopa de chayote recipe is my Mexican spin on butternut squash soup. With its creamy blend of tender chayote squash and savory seasonings, it’s the perfect Mexican soup for chilly days.

SLOW-COOKED BEANS IN THE CROCKPOT (FRIJOLES DE LA OLLA)

Frijoles de la olla are just the beginning of so many wonderful dishes.

FRIJOLES CHARROS

I’ve taken frijoles charros and added my own spin by mixing a medley of meats including beef chorizo, turkey bacon, and chicken apple sausage.

BLACK BEANS (FRIJOLES NEGROS)

Frijoles negros are a staple in Latin American cuisine, particularly in southern Mexico, Cuba, and Colombia and they pair well with so many dishes.

FRIJOLES REFRITOS

Leftover frijoles de la olla? Make frijoles refritos and eat them alongside your favorite dishes or wrap them into a bean burrito.

Flowers play an important role for Día de Muertos. Be sure to learn more about Day of the Dead Flowers: Symbolism, Significance, and Substitutes.

DAY OF THE DEAD RECIPES: BREADS

In this section, discover traditional Day of the Dead bread recipes, including classic pan de muerto and creative variations, as well as seasonal favorites, perfect for celebrating with family and honoring loved ones on this special day.

TRADITIONAL PAN DE MUERTO

Serve this pan de muerto warm and be sure to dust it with plenty of sugar to welcome the spirits.

PERSIMMON BREAD

Fresh persimmons are reminiscent of pears, dates and brown sugar and pair beautifully with the cinnamon, clove, and vanilla in this recipe, making this persimmon bread perfect for fall!

GUAGUAS DE PAN (ECUADORIAN BREAD BABIES)

It is a traditional Ecuadorian custom to have these breads, along with a purple corn & fruit drink called colada morada, on November 2nd for the Day of the Deceased (Dia de los Difuntos). – Laylita’s Recipes

MARIGOLD BREAD

A quick and easy marigold bread is a delicious treat to bake with your children for Dia de Muertos featuring dried or fresh marigolds. – Sweet Life Bake

PAN DE MUERTO WITH PINK SUGAR

This pan de muerto is extra festive with pink sugar.

SPICED VEGAN PUMPKIN BREAD

This delicious treat bursts with warm, aromatic spices and the natural sweetness of pumpkin, providing the perfect balance of comfort and healthiness. – Ale Cooks

PAN DULCE: MEXICAN CONCHAS

While this recipe does take some time, the results are celebratory, and there is nothing like enjoying a sweet concha with a cup of Mexican hot chocolate. – Flan and Apple Pie

PUMPKIN SPICE PAN DE MUERTO

Pumpkin Spice Pan de Muerto is the traditional Day of the Dead bread flavored with sweet pumpkin, cozy spices, and a sprinkling of sugar. – Hola Jalapeño

PAN DE MANZANA

Homemade pan de manzana is perfect to welcome fall as well as our loved ones for Día de Muertos.

PERSIMMON BREAD

Another fall favorite, homemade persimmon bread is perfect to welcome guests – both living and those who have passed on Day of the Dead.

My kids love reading about my favorite holiday every fall, so I created a list of our favorite Books on Day of the Dead for children. We also love working on Creative Day of the Dead Crafts!

DAY OF THE DEAD FOOD: MAIN DISHES

Enjoy delicious and symbolic day of the dead food like mole and tamales, or my grandma’s favorite tacos, which honor her memory, all adding flavor to your Día de los Muertos celebration.

MOLE NEGRO (BLACK MOLE SAUCE WITH CHICKEN)

An authentic mole negro or black mole sauce made with dried chiles, sesame seeds, garlic, raisins, chocolate, and warm spices is probably one of the most popular among Day of the Dead recipes in Oaxaca.

MOLE ENMOLADAS CON PAPA

Enmoladas combine two traditional dishes — enchiladas and mole – and a new one emerges (mole enchiladas)!

HUEVOS ENMOLADOS (FRIED EGGS WITH MOLE SAUCE)

A saucy spin on traditional huevos rancheros, these huevos enmolados pair mole with eggs over lightly fried corn tortillas. 

POZOLE VERDE (GREEN POZOLE WITH CHICKEN)

Pozole verde, or green pozole, is a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy, green chilies, tomatillos, and meat (typically pork or chicken), resulting in a vibrant green broth, often garnished with fresh vegetables and herbs.

TACOS DORADOS

These tacos dorados with ground beef were my grandma Lola’s specialty, so this recipe honors her memory.

TACOS DE PAPA

Crispy potato tacos remind me of my grandma Angie, so these are for her!

TAMALES COLORADITOS

The tamal coloradito, which translates to “infused with color,” takes its name from the filling of meat cooked in a mole sauce by the same name, coloradito. – Pati Jinich

TAMAL DE PIÑA

Sweet tamales are just as important as all the savory flavors during holidays and special occasions! – La Piña En La Cocina

DAY OF THE DEAD RECIPES: DESSERTS

Of course, no meal is complete without something dessert. End the festivities on a sweet note with some of my favorite flan and Mexican dessert recipes.

MINI CREAM CHEESE AND COFFEE FLAN

Flavored with instant espresso, this homemade coffee flan has a light cheesecake-like texture that is both creamy and firm, without the “eggy” flavor that can turn people off. 

FLAN CASERO

This classic flan recipe lends itself to so many fun variations.

FLAN DE CALABAZA

This pumpkin cheese flan combines the flavors and textures of three delicious desserts: pumpkin pie, cheesecake, and flan. 

CALAVERAS DE AZUCAR BUÑUELOS

These edible calaveras de azucar are an easy spin on buñuelos.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

This delicious chocolate cluster recipe requires no baking and is full of flavor and spice!

MARIGOLD AND ORANGE BLOSSOM SUGAR COOKIES

This sugar cookie recipe includes flavors you’d find in pan de muerto, which is a semi-sweet bread that is baked in the shape of bones and dusted with sugar or sprinkled with sesame seeds. 

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE PALETAS

There’s definitely no mistaking these Mexican chocolate paletas for ordinary fudge popsicles.

DAY OF THE DEAD COOKIES

This crumbly, decadent, Mexican shortbread cookies are inspired by pan de muerto or Day of the Dead bread. – Mexican Made Meatless

CALABAZAS EN DULCE (CANDIED PUMPKIN DESSERT)

A classic Mexican dessert for Day of the Dead, enjoy this pumpkin infused with piloncillo and spices to make calabazas en tacha.

VEGAN CHOCOLATE AND AMARANTH SKULLS

The use of sugar or amaranth skulls can be traced back to pre-hispanic times! – Dora’s Table

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CARAMEL ALMOND RICE KRISPIE TREAT

Bedazzle your rice crispy treats for Day of the Dead. This sugar skull Rice Krispie treat is the perfect edible craft to make with kids.

PUMPKIN TRES LECHES

This fall-inspired Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake is packed with cinnamon spice and tons of pumpkin flavor. Bring this seasonal dessert to your next holiday get-together and watch it disappear. 

GUAVA CHEESECAKE WITH MARIA COOKIES CRUST

Look no further—this is only guava cheesecake recipe you’ll make again. Savor every bite of the creamiest cheesecake flavored with guava jelly baked in a crumbly Maria cookie crust with a sweet layer of guava on top.

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

I created this Mexican chocolate ice cream as a spin on the hot chocolate traditionally used for Day of the Dead.

PASTEL DE MEMBRILLO (QUINCE AND CREAM CHEESE PASTRY)

In Mexico, people like to add fall fruits such as quince and guavas on Day of the Dead altars, which is why I’ve added this quince puff pastry dessert to my list of Dia de los Muertos recipes!

SUGAR SKULL BROWNIES

Turn a store-bought brownie mix into the coolest Day of the Dead dessert. – Hungry Happenings

SUGAR SKULL COOKIE POPS

All you need is some cookie dough, frosting, your favorite candies to decorate these colorful sugar skulls and some popsicle sticks. 

WHITE CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY SUGAR SKULLS

Dip strawberries in white chocolate and decorated them to make white chocolate strawberry skulls . . . kids love them!

CALAVERAS DE AZUCAR (SUGAR SKULLS)

Calaveras de azúcar are essential among Day of the Dead recipes and an essential part of an ofrenda.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this year’s roundup of Day of the Dead food and recipes! I’d love to hear about what you make to make to honor your loved ones.

LOOKING FOR MORE DAY OF THE DEAD INSPIRATION?

• Papel Picado: Fun Facts, Cultural Significance, and Day of the Dead
• Day of the Dead Flowers: Symbolism, Significance, and Substitutes
• 10 Creative Day of the Dead Crafts
• Unique Day of the Dead Decorations for Your Home Altar
• Bilingual Books to Teach Children about Day of the Dead
• Day of the Dead Altars to Die For
• Foods Associated with Day of the Dead
• Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life!
• Day of the Dead Altar: Honoring Departed Loved Ones
• Easy and Budget-Friendly Día de los Muertos Activity
• How to Make a Día de los Muertos Altar
• How to Throw a Día de los Muertos Fiesta
• What are the Traditional Colors of Day of the Dead

Originally Published: October 31, 2016 and updated with more recipes on October 10, 2024.