Day of the Dead in Texas
Thoroughly steeped in Mexican culture, the city of San Antonio is home to the grandest Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration in the United States. The festivities fall on November 1st- 2nd, the days right after Halloween.
What is Day of the Dead?
Although the name seems somber, the celebrations are anything but! Day of the Dead is a celebration of departed friends and family members, a way of honoring those who have passed, and a means to welcome the loved ones’ souls back for a brief happy reunion.
The origins of Día de los Muertos go back thousands of years, to the Aztecs who believed that a deceased person would travel through nine challenging levels before coming to the eternal resting place. The bereaved left food and drink on the graves of the departed to aid in their infinite journey, thus inspiring the modern-day customs of the Day of the Dead. Nowadays, souls are welcomed back with parades, flowers, drinks, lively music, special foods, and home altars – known as ofrendas – with candles and the loved one’s favorite things on display.
Eat, Drink, and Decorate for Day of the Dead
Skeletons dressed in fancy clothing remind us that all people are equal in death, altars and parties include sugar skull candies for the same reason, and everyone has the traditional sweet Día de los Muertos bread along with ‘atole,’ a spicy dark chocolate and corn-based drink.
Make Your Own Chocolate Atole Champurrado
This rich chocolate drink is served during Day of the Dead celebrations and Christmas posadas in Mexico and San Antonio, but you can make it any day you like.
Ingredients
- water
- cinnamon sticks
- star anise
- masa harina
- milk
- Mexican chocolate (Abuelita or Ibarra)
- piloncillo or brown sugar
How to make Atole Champurrado
- In a large saucepan, boil water with the two cinnamon sticks and star anise. Remove from the heat, cover, and let the cinnamon sticks and star anise steep for about 1 hour.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks and star anise. Return to low heat and slowly add the masa harina to the warm water, whisking until combined.
- Add milk, chocolate, and piloncillo.
- Heat over medium heat just until boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 10 minutes or until chocolate is completely melted and sugar is dissolved, whisking occasionally. Serve immediately.
Live it up on Day of the Dead
Día de los Muertos celebrations happen in San Antonio, Houston, and all over Texas from mid-October through early November. CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE PET-FRIENDLY QUALITY RV RESORT DESTINATION AND RESERVE YOUR STAY to have a wonderful time while you honor the memory of a cherished loved one. Bienvenidos, Amigos!