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Día de los Muertos Playlist: Music, Memory, and a Paloma

This image shows two glasses of a pink cocktail with lime wedges on top, placed on a marble surface. Next to the glasses is a pitcher filled with a similar pink liquid, likely the cocktail's base. Behind the pitcher, there is a bottle of tequila with the brand name "Espolón" prominently displayed. To the right of the tequila bottle, there is a small potted plant. A white cloth is partially draped over the left side of the scene.

Playlists

Día de Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated from October 31 through November 2, a time for remembering and honoring loved ones who have passed. This post shares a Día de los Muertos playlist along with a Paloma recipe, two small ways I celebrate the holiday at home. My introduction to Día de los Muertos came later in life, and it has reshaped how I think about death and remembrance. Instead of death being rooted in fear as it had been for so much of my life, Día de Muertos opened my perspective by centering on connection. It is about celebrating the lives people lived, the things they loved, and keeping those memories alive.

There are many wonderful articles and videos that go into the history of the holiday. It began as an Aztec ritual and later blended with Catholic tradition around All Saints Day. I will not go too far into the details here, but highly recommend a good search if you are curious. This overview by National Geographic is a great place to get started. In addition, in 2008 UNESCO officially inscribed Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition underscores the holiday’s importance to Indigenous communities in Mexico and helps preserve the tradition for generations to come.

This image shows a cozy living room with a white brick fireplace. Above the fireplace, there is a framed poster with the words "AMOUR" and "LOVE" and a heart symbol. Colorful paper garlands are hung across the top of the fireplace. To the left, there is a bookshelf filled with various books, some of which have titles like "Collective Wisdom" and "THE LILIAD." On the right side, there are two framed pictures hanging on the wall. A decorative candle and a small vase are placed on the wooden mantel.

How I Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Home

I am finding my own way of celebrating our loved ones. Traditionally, families in Mexico build altars, or ofrendas, adorned with marigolds, candles, food, photos, and objects tied to those they are remembering. My take at home is a little smaller (with fewer skulls, I am me after all), but it feels incredibly meaningful. I decorate with papel picado, a mix of paper and fresh marigolds, and light candles. I set up a digital frame filled with familiar faces for our family that rotate throughout the day, and of course there is food and music. Every time I glance at the digital frame, I am transported back to fond memories. It has become my own way of honoring those I love.

And every year, I watch Coco. It is such a sweet, beautiful story that touches me over and over. I cannot wait for the day my daughter watches it with me.

This image shows a room with a wooden shelf against a white wall. The shelf is adorned with various items including bottles, a lamp with a beige shade, and a framed piece of artwork with the text "be place". Colorful paper decorations are hung above the shelf. On the shelf, there are several objects such as a cocktail shaker, a bowl filled with candy, and a few books. Additionally, there is a Skittles logo visible on one of the items on the shelf.

   

Día de los Muertos Playlist

This two-hour mix draws from music in Mexico during the 1940s–1960s, what many call its “golden age.” Bolero, danzón, cha-cha, and romantic ballads filled the airwaves, with lush vocals, intricate guitars, and lively percussion giving shape to a sound that still resonates today.

Some favorites here include the elegance of Acerina y Su Danzonera, the depth of Javier Solís, and the harmonies of Los Tecolines. The mix moves between longing ballads and lively dance rhythms, creating a soundtrack that is both nostalgic and full of life.

This image shows a cozy, dimly lit room with a wooden shelf holding various items. On the shelf, there is a framed digital display showing an interior scene, flanked by two lit candles and vibrant orange paper flowers. Above the shelf, a framed artwork with the text "be place" is mounted on the wall, accompanied by decorative elements. To the right, there is a lamp with a warm glow, casting a soft light over the scene. Below the shelf, several bottles and containers are stored, including one labeled "JUST MARRIED." The overall atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a focus on decorative and sentimental items.

And then there is Eydie Gormé, whose voice has long captivated me. She appears a few times on this playlist. I first heard her voice while listening to a jazz station in Los Angeles years ago. They used to have a a weekend “lounge” segment I was obsessed with. One night they played Eydie’s version of “Frenesí,” and I was instantly smitten. Ever since, I have been more and more enchanted by her voice and her story. A native of the Bronx, she grew up speaking both English and Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) and even worked as a Spanish-language translator for the United Nations after high school. When Columbia Records paired her with Los Panchos in the early 1960s, apparently the chemistry was instant. The trio, already beloved for their harmonies and the distinct sound of the requinto guitar, chose classic boleros like “Piel Canela” and “Amor” for their sessions. Together they created recordings full of warmth, tenderness, and nostalgia. Songs like “Sabor a Mí” remain unforgettable. For a bit more about their collaboration, this azcentral article has some nice background and storytelling.

The playlist closes with the Coco “Día de los Muertos Suite,” a cinematic reminder of how these traditions continue to inspire today.

      

Paloma Recipe

A classic tequila cocktail and one of my favorites. Bright, tangy, and endlessly adaptable. Traditionally made with grapefruit soda, I prefer fresh juice for a more vibrant flavor. Try adding cilantro for freshness, jalapeño for spice, or a salted chili rim for extra kick.

  • Salted glass rim

  • 1.5 oz tequila

  • 0.5 oz lime juice

  • Ice

  • Grapefruit juice + soda to taste (a splash of simple syrup if you prefer it sweeter)

Cheers to recalling beautiful memories.

     

@dmotif

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Danielle-elliott

DANIELLE MOTIF PHOTOGRAPHY