Tuesday, November 4, 2025
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What’s new in the Bay of Banderas in 2025

By
Meagan Drillinger
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1
Jake Knapp at the PGA Vedanta Tour in Puerto Vallarta, which will return in 2025.
From Pro golf to stunning new hotels and airports, Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area is set for a huge 2025. (PGA Tour)

Puerto Vallarta is the perennial darling of sunseekers, nature lovers and the margarita aficionado. But if you think you’ve seen all this slice of paradise has to offer, think again. 2025 is shaping up to be a year of new additions to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, giving even the most veteran traveler new reasons to visit. Here’s what’s on tap for the Bay of Banderas area, from Puerto Vallarta up to Riviera Nayarit, as we head into the new year.

The Hotel scene

UNICO 20°87°, Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta’s UNICO 20°87° has set the new standard for what all-inclusive trips to the Bay of Banderas should be. (All Inclusive Outlet)

When UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya opened in 2017 it turned the all-inclusive, adults-only resort model on its head. It was one of the first resorts to open in Mexico under the luxury all-inclusive concept. Now the brand is making its debut on Mexico’s Pacific coast. In 2025, sister resort UNICO 20°105° Puerto Vallarta will make its debut in Nuevo Nayarit. With Bay of Banderas and Sierra Madre views, this Pacific adults-only retreat promises to deliver the same service and contemporary design that made its Riviera Maya counterpart a success. Expect a rooftop pool touted as the best in town, gourmet restaurants and curated experiences that dive into Vallarta’s culture.

Over in Riviera Nayarit, Milaroca is preparing to open in April as an eco-friendly five-star resort. Spread across 105 acres of beachfront and jungle, the property promises farm-to-table dining, immersive activities like cooking classes and archaeological tours and sustainable design elements like low-density construction, natural cross-ventilation and energy-efficient lighting. 

April 2025 will also bring the debut of Breathless Puerto Vallarta. This adults-only all-inclusive resort will have 450 rooms and suites, seven restaurants, five bars and four pools and will be 10 minutes from the airport.

Meanwhile, Rosewood Mandarina, part of the same development complex that includes the One&Only Mandarina, will be a playground of panoramic views, luxury villas and three extremely photogenic pools. Opening in April, it’s perched between the Sierra del Vallejo mountains and a mile-long stretch of beach. 

One&Only Mandarina, projected to arrive in Puerto Vallarta 2025.
The new Puerto Vallarta offering from One&Only looks set to continue the high standards guests have come to expect from the chain. (One&Only Mandarina)

For those drawn to Sayulita’s bohemian vibes, the debut of Zen Sayulita by Melia will bring a new style of resort to this surfer town. Think 125 rooms, villas, a rooftop bar, a beach club and a spa. Alongside Zel Sayulita, Meliá Hotels International will also open a ME by Melia in Sayulita. Located along the beach, the new resort will boast 125 rooms and villas, as well as three restaurants, a spa, pool, gym and rooftop bar with a separate pool. 

Don’t sleep on Tryst Puerto Vallarta, which quietly opened in the Fall of 2024. Already making waves for its inclusive vibe, stylish design and beachfront access, it’s a newbie to consider when visiting town.

Getting there just got easier

Puerto Vallarta’s infamously inundated international airport welcomes more than six million passengers each year and has been working on expanding in order to accommodate the increasing number of annual visitors. Its long-anticipated Terminal 2 is officially slated to open in 2025. The LEED-certified terminal will, according to the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, be the first Net-Zero-certified terminal in Latin America, and the two-story building will increase airport capacity by 125 percent.

Tepic’s airport, now rebranded the Riviera Nayarit International Airport, has received a significant US $250 million upgrade. The expansion includes a new terminal, more than 33,000 square feet of retail and dining, a runway extension and a new car rental center. The airport is expected to receive international flights beginning in 2025.

Riviera Nayarit airport, Tepic
The new Riviera Nayarit International Airport in Tepic is projeted to start receiving international flights in early 2025, connecting Punta Mita and Sayulita with more visitors from across the world. (Soy de Tepic/X)

The coming year is also set  to bring expanded air connectivity that will make hopping over a breeze. Sunwing Airlines has launched a weekly service from Bagotville, Quebec, catering to the snowbirds escaping Canada’s icy grip. Alaska Airlines isn’t playing around either, with new weekly flights from Sacramento, Kansas City and St. Louis starting in January, plus four weekly flights from New York. Not to be outdone, Southwest Airlines joins the mix with weekly Sacramento flights kicking off in March.

And let’s not forget the game-changing highway that now connects Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara. A quick jaunt through Jalisco’s tequila-soaked countryside allows travelers to pair PV beaches with Guadalajara’s historic streets. 

The events

Whale watching – December to March

A gray whale surfaces near a boat in the waters off Mulegé, Baja California Sur
Like much of the Pacific coast, the Bay of Banderas plays host to scores of young whales throughout the winter period. (Adolfo Vladimir/Cuartoscuro)

From December to March, the Bay of Banderas becomes a nursery for humpback whales. Tour operators like Ecotours Vallarta and Vallarta Adventures lead excursions that feature hydrophones so you can hear the whales’ melodic songs — a true bucket-list experience. 

Mexico Open at Vidanta – Feb. 17-23

Golf enthusiasts, this one’s for you. The PGA Tour returns to Vidanta Vallarta. Beyond the greens, the Par Tee Deck offers food, VIP lounges, and merchandise for fans.

Puerto Vallarta Marathon – April 6

Puerto Vallarta Marathon
The annual Puerto Vallarta marathon is back and bigger than ever in 2025. (Vallarta Nayarit Blog)

Runners return for the revamped Puerto Vallarta Marathon, with distances ranging from a 5K to a Boston Marathon-qualifying 42K.

Vallarta Pride – May 17-25

Puerto Vallarta has long been a top LGBTQ+ destination, and 2025’s Vallarta Pride promises to outdo itself. The theme, “Revolution: The Future Has No Gender,” underscores the event’s commitment to inclusivity. Expect parades, beach parties, art exhibitions and more. 

Why Puerto Vallarta in 2025

For those who think they’ve “been there, done that,” 2025 proves there are always new reasons to come back to Puerto Vallarta, from new hotels to the spectacles of nature and parties and events year-round.

Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com

The best Mexican TV shows of 2024 and where to watch them

By
Carolina Alvarado
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0
Los Azules, an Apple TV+ series, one of the best Mexican shows of 2024
2024 was a great year for Mexican TV. Here are some of the best shows and where to stream them. (Apple TV+)

Every year seems to bring an avalanche of new shows to the small screen, and it is simply impossible to keep up with the volume of new releases. To help you work out what’s worth your time and what isn’t, we’ve selected the best Mexican shows released in 2024.

From medical dramas and crime thrillers to contemporary adventures and historical melodramas, it’s been an exceptionally interesting year for Mexican television. So, without further ado and in no particular order, here are the best Mexican shows of 2024 and where to watch them.

Como Agua para Chocolate  | Max

Como Agua Para Chocolate | Trailer Oficial | Max

Adapted from the 1989 novel of the same name written by Laura Esquivel, the miniseries tells the story of Tita de la Garza and her forbidden romance with Pedro Múzquiz, her childhood sweetheart. Unfortunately, although the young lovers dream of making a life together, Tita’s destiny is doomed by an overbearing family tradition, which requires her to remain single to care for her mother until she passes away. As in the novel, Max’s reinterpretation is a story of love and rebellion, of duty and destiny, and of social tensions in the times of the Mexican Revolution. 

Emotionally rooted, visually dazzling and worthy of the legacy of the original, “Como Agua para Chocolate” has been renewed for a second and final season. 

Bandidos | Netflix

Bandidos | Official Trailer | Netflix

Who doesn’t like an action-adventure series about a high stakes search for a legendary treasure?

With seven exciting episodes, “Bandidos” follows a daring and thrilling archeological adventure in the Mexican Caribbean and a thrilling underwater heist. Directed by Adrián Grünberg and Javier Ruiz Caldera, it tells the story of Miguel, Lilí and an eclectic crew of bounty hunters who risk everything to recover a priceless Mayan relic lost in the Gulf of Mexico. 

After its premiere in March, it became one of Netflix’s most watched Latin American series and secured a Top 10 spot in more than 65 countries. Luckily, the second season is on its way.

Las Azules | Apple TV+  

Las Azules — Tráiler oficial | Apple TV+

Crime thriller fans: This one’s for you. 

The plot is loosely inspired by true events and set in conservative Mexico in the early 1970s. “Las Azules” (Women in Blue) examines the founding of Mexico City’s first female police squad, and their intense fight against a serial killer dubbed the “Tlalpan Undresser.” This slick thriller tells the story of four intrepid recruits: Maria, Gabina, Angeles and Valentina, as they strive to redefine the entrenched patriarchal culture within law enforcement. 

With intricate period details, a well-crafted plot, and witty characters, Pablo Aramendi and Fernando Rovzar’s lavish series does not disappoint.

La Máquina  | Hulu

La Máquina | Official Trailer | Hulu

After sharing credits in popular films such as “Y tu mamá también” (2001), “Rudo y Cursi” (2008), and “Casa de mi padre” (2012), longtime friends Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna have reunited on screen, this time for Hulu’s first Spanish-language production, “La Máquina” (The Machine), a tribute to Mexico’s glorious boxing history. 

This vibrant miniseries follows Esteban Osuna (García Bernal), nicknamed “La Máquina”, a legendary boxer who is nearing the end of his career. His eccentric friend and agent Andy Lujan (Luna), assures him one last chance in the ring in hopes of reviving his golden days. However, almost as quickly as Esteban scores a victory that returns them to the pinnacle of boxing, both are threatened by an omnipotent criminal organization, which puts their lives and those of their loved ones, in danger. 

Accidente | Netflix

Accidente | Tráiler oficial | Netflix

After arriving on Netflix in August, “The Accident” quickly became one of the most controversial and popular Mexican series of the year. The suspenseful family drama centers on a tragic accident in which a bouncy castle causes the untimely death of three children and the harrowing disappearance of another. Naturally, the grief of the families spreads like wildfire, and everything becomes even more complicated when evidence emerges that, perhaps, it was not just an act of God. 

Created by Leonardo Padrón and directed by Gracia Querejeta and Klych López, “Accidente” is a raw and intriguing drama, even as it veers into telenovela territory. 

Familia de Medianoche | Apple TV+

Familia de medianoche — Tráiler oficial | Apple TV+

Sometimes a great documentary is just the beginning of the story. Such is the case with Apple TV+’s medical drama, “Midnight Family.” The series is inspired by Luke Lorentzen’s influential, award-winning documentary of the same name. 

Refusing to shy away from gory details, the reimagining of “Midnight Family” follows the lives and adventures of the Tamayos, a family of hardened paramedics, as they respond to emergency calls in Mexico City. Like the source material, Gibrán Portela and Julio Rojas’ television fiction harshly questions the efficacy of the Mexican capital’s healthcare system and explores the underworld of private ambulances. The ten-part series is humane, involving and hugely satisfying.

If there is any justice in this world, there will be another installment.

Any of the other best Mexican shows that we’ve missed from this year? Let us know in the comments!

Carolina Alvarado is a Venezuelan journalist and has devoted much of her career to creative writing, university teaching and social work. She has been published in Lady Science, Latina Media, Global Comment, Psiquide, Cinetopic, Get me Giddy and Reader’s Digest, among others.

 



El Viejo de Año Nuevo: Veracruz’s strangest celebration

By
Alan Chazaro
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0
El Viejo de Veracruz
Why does a Gulf city see burning pensioners run around the city to celebrate New Year? Well, it's a long story... (Mexico Desconocido)

There’s nothing more distinctly representative of the holidays in Veracruz than spotting your first “old man” wandering the streets — sometimes on fire. To the uninitiated it may sound odd, if not violently eerie. But it’s a reference to a century-old celebration known as “El Viejo de Año Nuevo,” in which “Jarochos” (Veracruz natives) throughout the coastal state end every year within a festive spectacle. And it’s worth seeing the uniquely Veracruzano custom.

The state’s upbeat reputation is on full display as hordes of participants spread joy in the form of dance and music while dressed up old men and occasionally old women (characterized by fake white hairs, a disheveled beard for the men, a cane, and often a Jarocho outfit of white guayabera shirt and pants, with a matching white hat or traditional dress for the ladies). In many indigenous communities, the “old man” is represented with traditional masks and songs. Whatever the appearance, “El Viejo de Año Nuevo” is one of the state’s proudest traditions, bringing together participants of various ages for the annual, intergenerational affair. 

El Viejo de Veracruz
“El Viejo” isn’t just for men either. While rarer, old women can be spotted on the street as well. (Alberto Roa/Cuartoscuro)

It begins on Christmas Day, which in Mexico is predominantly celebrated as Nochebuena on Christmas Eve and ends on January 1. There are variations of the celebration, too. In some places, there is “la quema del viejo.” In this case, effigies of old men get burned at midnight to reset the calendar and ward off negative spirits. These effigies are dressed up to appear as elders, and are customarily stuffed with dried banana leaves. The burning of these “old men” dates back centuries to traditions brought over from the Spaniards. And not every community partakes in the pyres, either. 

For my parents and family members who grew up in Veracruz’s capital, Xalapa, each año nuevo began afresh with “El Viejo,” something as customary for them as it is to eat tamales and pambazos. My dad recounts his memories as a child and adolescent in Xalapa. In his retelling, he and his friends would go around Xalapa and watch people of all ages dressed as old men as they played music, asked for money, and sang the age-old lyrics (which has since been modernized into various remixes) past midnight.

The celebratory procession is said to have started as a labor protest in 1875 in the port city of Veracruz. As the legend goes, a group of dock workers didn’t receive their annual “aguinaldo,” or Christmas bonus, and began to demand their dues by gathering in the streets. Another version of the story differs in that the workers were demanding to take home unclaimed shipments at the end of the year, as was customary, but were forcefully denied by the port’s managers. 

In response to not receiving the end-of-year rewards, a man who is simply known by his last name, Bovril, took charge and began to make noise outside of the port managers’ homes, until crowds of more workers gathered, with the intent to collect money and goods. The next year, the dock workers repeated their actions but dressed up as old men, or “viejos.” It’s unclear exactly how the costume became popularized.

El Viejo de Veracruz

In a vastly different telling, multiple sources have also cited a Korean immigrant who brought over the custom while wearing a mask in the streets of Veracruz until children started to follow him around, dancing and singing. Whatever the origin, it’s stronger than ever in Veracruz, where the current Governor, Rocío Nahle García, is currently pushing a campaign to celebrate the custom with tourists and locals alike with the tagline “¡Veracruz está de la moda!”. But for many, it doesn’t need any marketing, since it’s a practice that has been passed down over generations.

“It’s a culture that is preserved in every pueblo,” said a participant in an interview with Cronica de Xalapa. “We maintain the musical aspect. That’s what keeps the tradition fresh. We add rhythm and it keeps us united by bringing more joy to homes.”

To be sure, every region throughout Veracruz — including Cordoba, Veracruz-Boca del Río, Xalapa, Orizaba and many others — will host their own version of a parade. The state’s main event will take place at Parque Zamora in Veracruz beginning at 1 p.m. In the evening, a fireworks display will occur at nearby la Plaza del Migrante Libanés, Villa del Mar, Asta Bandera, Hotel Lois y Plaza de los Valores. 

Alan Chazaro is the author of This Is Not a Frank Ocean Cover Album , Piñata Theory and Notes From the Eastern Span of the Bay Bridge (Ghost City Press, 2021). He is a graduate of June Jordan’s Poetry for the People program at UC Berkeley and a former Lawrence Ferlinghetti Fellow at the University of San Francisco. His writing can be found in GQ, NPR, The Guardian, L.A. Times and more. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he is currently based in Veracruz.

How accurate were my predictions for Mexico in 2024? A perspective from our CEO

By
Travis Bembenek
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18
Mexican flag at San Jerónimo
How did 2024 play out for Mexico versus your expectations? What predictions did you make that were correct or incorrect? (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)

Making predictions is a dangerous business, but as I said at the beginning of the year when I made them, I was going to take the risk and go out on a limb to make them. I guess how I did depends on if you are a fan of baseball or basketball. If I am measured in terms of baseball hitting percentages, I did pretty well. If I am measured in terms of basketball free throw percentages, I would be benched!

With that said, the following is a scorecard of my predictions versus the actual results:

Prediction: The nearshoring boom will continue to accelerate and Mexico will receive a record amount of foreign direct investment

Result: CORRECT!

Mexico is on track to receive a record amount of foreign direct investment, but the rate did not grow as fast as many hoped and the vast majority of the investment was not new money coming into the country but rather reinvestment. Definitely something to keep an eye on in 2025. Read more below:

Did Mexico really ‘miss the nearshoring boom’? A perspective from our CEO

Prediction: One, if not two, Chinese auto companies will announce massive plant investments in Mexico.

Result: INCORRECT!

Multiple large Chinese companies, including BYD and others, announced that announcements of plants would be coming, but they have not yet happened. Trump’s recent presidential victory seems likely to have stalled these plans indefinitely.

Prediction: Increased discussion and tension will arise among USMCA partners (United States, Canada, Mexico) over the rapidly increasing Chinese investment and imports into Mexico.

Result: CORRECT!

Both Canada and the United States have been piling on the threats to Mexico over Chinese investments and imports, with several Canadian provincial ministers even going so far as to say that the USMCA should be updated and Mexico should be cut out of the agreement.  To try to bring some sanity and facts to the discussion, Mexico’s Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard and President Sheinbaum both presented actual data on Chinese investment and imports into Mexico to try to lower tensions.

How much has China actually invested in Mexico?

Prediction: The NBA will confirm that an expansion team will come to Mexico City.

The result: INCORRECT!

The NBA has not yet confirmed a team in Mexico City, but has continued to express interest in the possibility. It will likely happen at some point, but will take time to come to fruition.

Prediction: Claudia Sheinbaum will win the presidential election in a landslide.

The result: CORRECT!

Dr. Sheinbaum did in fact win in a landslide.

Claudia Sheinbaum is elected the first female president of Mexico

Prediction: The Mexican peso will not move significantly in reaction to the election results (as it often does).

The result: INCORRECT!

The peso has weakened by nearly 20% since the election and is now back where it was several years ago. Compared to previous elections, this was actually not a large move (especially given the huge appreciation of the peso in the year leading up to the election), but the move was significant nonetheless.

Prediction: The Maya Train project will be more positively viewed by the end of the year and increasingly be recognized as a strategically important investment for the region.

Result: I think it is still too early to tell on this one.

The entire train network was just completed a few weeks ago, and emotions are still high on both sides. 2025 will be a key year to answer this question.

Prediction: The Tulum airport will receive a surprisingly high number of new flights and become a major flight destination.

The result: CORRECT!

Tulum’s airport just hit its one-year anniversary with more traffic than predicted, and new direct flights to both Germany and Colombia were recently announced.

Coatzacoalcos-Palenque stretch of Interoceanic Train to start operations

Prediction: The Interoceanic Train crossing the Isthmus of Tehuantepec will get increased interest and attention due to continued problems with the Panama Canal.

The result: This is another one that seems to be in the “too early to tell” category.

Trump’s recent suggestion that the U.S. take over the Panama Canal again could help or hurt Mexico’s cause…

Prediction: Mexico will become an increasingly important topic in the upcoming U.S. elections. Issues like immigration, fentanyl and drug cartels will cause some candidates to threaten significant actions against the country.

The result: CORRECT!

A significant part of Trump’s winning message was focused on what he would do on immigration, drug cartels and migrants from Mexico.

Prediction: Despite the campaign rhetoric, Mexico will increase its lead and share as the largest trading partner of the United States.

The result: CORRECT!

Mexico increased its exports to the U.S. and increased its share as the largest trading partner to now nearly 16% — ahead of Canada and with China now in third place.

Two-way trade between Mexico and US reaches record high

Prediction: Tesla will accelerate its plant investment in Monterrey.

The result: INCORRECT!

Tesla, blaming an uncertain electric vehicle market and the threat of tariffs, put an indefinite pause on the project to the dismay of many in the region.

Prediction: The number of U.S. and Canadian citizens moving to Mexico will continue to accelerate.

The result: Too early to tell.

I have not yet seen actual figures, but all anecdotal evidence I see and hear tells me that the numbers continue to increase.

Prediction:  A record number of international tourists will come to Mexico.

The result:  CORRECT!

Mexico has seen record numbers of international tourists and tourist spending this year.

International tourism spending up 5% through October, surpassing US $24 billion

Prediction: The Bank of Mexico will finally begin to lower interest rates in the first quarter of the year, which should weaken the peso gradually.

The result: CORRECT!

Rates were cut in March and for a total of five times this year, putting the current rate at 10%. The peso has weakened (albeit not gradually).

Prediction: The Mexican peso will end the year above 18 to the US dollar.

The result: CORRECT!

Although it seems like a no-brainer prediction now, let’s remember that it was at 16.3 not too long ago. The current rate is near 20.

Prediction: Mexico will end 2024 as the 10th largest economy in the world (moving up 2 places from 2023 and 4 places from 2022).

The result:  Too early to tell, but I am confident in giving myself an INCORRECT on this one due to Mexico’s low GDP growth this year.

The economy underperformed its potential growth rate yet again, and next year’s forecasts are being revised downward by just about everyone.

So in summary, I had 9 correct predictions, 5 incorrect and 3 that are still too early to tell.  Given that 2024 had increased volatility due to being an election year in the United States and Canada, I think I did okay, but with definite room for improvement.

How did 2024 play out for Mexico versus your expectations? What predictions did you make that were correct or incorrect?

Please share your thoughts and comments in the comments section and stay tuned for my Mexico Predictions for 2025 in my first column of the new year.

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

Mexican New Year’s Eve traditions to bring luck in 2025

By
Sarah DeVries
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11
A range of Mexican new years traditions
New Year in Mexico comes with some interesting traditions. Try them and see if they bring you luck in 2025! (Shutterstock)

Grapes, underwear, burning dolls. If it’s time for strange traditions, it must be New Year’s Eve in Mexico.

Be aware that New Year’s Eve is a time that Mexican families like to spend with each other. You’ll surely be able to find some fun activities and parties, but don’t be put off if your Mexican besties have plans already, probably with their families.

Guadalajara December fireworks display
Like everything in Mexico, New Year is a bit of a party! (Players of Life)

For Mexicans, the stroke of midnight is a time to hug and kiss your loved ones. If you’ve got any down here with you, get ready for some squeezes! If you don’t, that’s okay. There’s still plenty of fun to be had!

So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of Mexico’s favorite New Year traditions.

Colored underwear

This is something that took me a while to figure out. Why on Earth was I always seeing so much red and yellow underwear on sale at this time of year? Do people really like McDonald’s colors?

A man wearing colourful boxer shorts
Surely, this will bring luck, health, love and riches in 2025. I’m hedging my bets. (Amazon)

Actually, the colors are for luck. While there are more — green is for health, for example — red and yellow are the main ones. Wearing red underwear means you’ll attract love in the coming year, and yellow means that you’ll attract money. Unfortunately, my 2024 yellow underwear seems to have been defective. Well, we’ll try again, I guess!

Eating 12 grapes at midnight

There are some people who feel they have to eat all 12 grapes right away, at the same time. I’d advise against this, since, you know, choking hazard.

But if you go nice and slow, or someone in your party knows the Heimlich maneuver, go for it! Each of the 12 grapes represents a wish for the coming year. That’s quite a few wishes, so don’t be afraid to jot them down in advance!

A bowl of grapes
Eat grapes for luck. Just have a CPR expert on hand to be safe. (Jerry Wang/Unsplash)

Fireworks and other things to send you to the hospital

Mexico is a country that loves, loves, loves its fireworks, and New Year celebrations are no exception! While there’s not comprehensive data on how many people are injured by rockets every Dec. 31, my guess is a lot. Be careful out there!

Representing the old and new year

More fire! In Mexico, many people have the tradition of creating a kind of life-size scarecrow to represent the old year. And most actually burn it! If you’re going this route, I’d recommend doing it with someone with experience.

A roaring fire
I guess if 2024 wasn’t kind to you, you could try burning it? (Mladen Borisov/Unsplash)

And here’s something you might see during the day on New Year’s Eve: bands of merry revelers dancing and clanging their ways up and down the streets. In this party, there will inevitably be a grown man hilariously dressed as a baby — the new year. They might be chasing or otherwise terrorizing the older-looking old year!

Cleaning for the new year

While we often talk about spring cleaning, in Mexico the new year is a great time for it. Why? Symbolism, baby, symbolism. It’s a literal “out with the old and in with the new” activity meant to purify and refresh your life. I’m 100 percent on board with this one, as cleaning and organizing is basically witchcraft as far as I’m concerned. Time to get rid of those things that are just taking up space!

Eating at midnight

This tradition, I’ll admit, is not my favorite. Plus, didn’t we just have to wait until midnight to eat on Christmas? What’s a gal supposed to do until then?

The answer, I guess, is a sandwich or something to hold you over, and in my case, a nap.

If this is your first New Year celebration spent in Mexico, then enjoy yourself! Get your underwear ready and your grapes prepared. Take a good nap, and try not to wind up in the hospital with sparkler burns.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com.

The very best Michelin-rated restaurants to dine in Los Cabos

By
Chris Sands
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0
Panoramic view of Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Los Cabos is home to 13 of the 157 restaurants with Michelin stars in Mexico. Here are some of the best in town! (Zachary DeBottis:Pexels)

The world famous Michelin Guide recognized 157 restaurants in Mexico during its initial 2024 selection, announced last May. This promotion proved very beneficial for the restaurants that earned stars. It has also proved a boon for travelers, since Michelin not only explains its quality criteria but divides selections into several handy categories, including its coveted stars, which signifies the restaurant is not only one of the best in the region but in the world; Bib Gourmand, which denotes high quality at value pricing; the Green Stars given to restaurants boasting great food with sustainable practices; and Recommended, meaning Michelin vouches for its a quality dining spot. 

Of the 157 restaurants in Mexico honored by Michelin in Mexico, 13 are located in Los Cabos. However, these aren’t exactly spread out evenly around the municipality.

Beautiful sunset in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Michelin stars signify that the restaurant is not only one of the best in the region, but in the entire world. (Ramo/Pexels)

Cabo San Lucas

The Land’s End city has a terrific taco scene and a few great restaurants. But it’s no coincidence most of the Los Cabos restaurants that received Michelin Guide recognition are found in the Tourist Corridor — (home to many luxury resorts and their signature eateries —) and San José del Cabo, the showplace for the region’s superb farm-to-table dining.

Los Tres Gallos

Michel Zermeño and Fabiola Sánchez founded this downtown gem in 2010. It’s named after a trio of movie stars from Mexico’s Golden Age of Cinema:  (Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, and Javier Solís, collectively Los Tres Gallos). It’s the premier local stop for traditional Mexican cuisine. A second restaurant has since opened in the Gallery District of San José del Cabo.

 

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A post shared by Los Tres Gallos Cabo (@lostresgallos)

Michelin Status: Recommended
Leona Vicario esquina 20 de Noviembre

San José del Cabo

Rodrigo Esponda, director general of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, recently noted via Travel Pulse Canada: “We are the number one region in Mexico that produces organic vegetables and fruit. Everything is for local consumption; we don’t export. We have sustainable fishing and farming, so the combination and innovation of the chefs really make our culinary scene unparalleled.”

Nowhere is that fact more evident than in San José del Cabo. The region’s acclaimed farm-to-table dining style was pioneered at restaurants just outside the city, like Flora’s Field Kitchen and Acre in Ánimas Bajas. It continues to be spotlighted in the popular downtown Gallery District, home to great art galleries and many of the area’s best restaurants.

Acre

A farm-to-table gem that’s as remarkable as the treehouse accommodations set on the property. The cuisine, contemporary Mexican with some global influences, is crafted from ingredients grown sustainably on the farm or bought from local fishermen or other local farmers. 

Façade of Acre hotel in Los Cabos
Acre is well-known for its treehouse accomodations, that frame wonderful farm-to-table meals. (Acre)

Michelin Status: Green Star, Recommended
Ánimas Bajas

Flora’s Field Kitchen

With an outdoor dining area overlooking the 25-acre farm from which so many ingredients are sourced (meat comes from a nearby ranch), Flora’s Field Kitchen is the most iconic of the region’s farm-to-table restaurants and perennially the most popular. This place is always packed and with good reason.

Michelin Status: Green Star, Bib Gourmand
Ánimas Bajas

Lumbre

Chef César Pita’s Lumbre is one of several contemporary restaurants in San José del Cabo’s downtown Gallery District where the region’s incredible diversity of fresh seafood and organic produce is displayed. “It’s a Mexican and live fire concept,” notes the Michelin Guide, “with global influences where creativity and originality reign supreme.”

Michelin Status: Recommended
Calle José María Morelos 162

Omakai

The history of Japanese cuisine made from Mexican ingredients in Los Cabos dates back to 1994 when Nick-san invented it. However, per the Michelin Guide, Omakai is now the foremost proponent of this style, thanks to its flawless execution and superb fresh local seafood. 

Interior view of Nicksan restaurant
Picture Japan meets Mexico — but better: that’s Nicksan in Los Cabos for you. (Nicksan)

Michelin Status: Recommended
Ignacio Zaragoza 1311

Ruba’s Bakery & Bistro

Ruba’s backs up its pastries with more substantial bistro fare like the chef’s creative tasting menu prepared during the Gallery District’s weekly Art Walk. 

Michelin Status: Recommended
José María Morelos 8

Tourist Corridor

It shouldn’t be surprising that many of Los Cabos’ best restaurants are found on the premises of in luxury resorts. That’s where all the celebrated chefs come from. The first big names like Larbi Dahrouch and Charlie Trotter were brought in 20 years ago by One&Only Palmilla. 

More recently, it has been superstar chefs like Enrique Olvera and Sidney Schutte,  two chefs with Michelin Guide credentials, who  that have helped elevate the overall quality of Los Cabos cuisine at resorts like The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, and Grand Velas, respectively. 

Árbol

Las Ventanas al Paraíso was the first of the modern luxury resorts in Los Cabos and it remains a benchmark for elegance and exceptional food and drink. Árbol doesn’t stint on the elegance, with Beluga caviar and Maine lobster among many luxury items on the menu. But it’s also one of the area’s most cosmopolitan eateries, thanks to Indian curries and other Asian culinary specialties.

Michelin Status: Recommended
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, Carretera Transpeninsular Km 19.5

Carbón Cabrón

The name itself is reason enough to visit. A grill aficionado’s idea of heaven, with wood-fired specialties from chef Poncho Cadena. These include the expected meat and seafood cuts, plus exquisitely grilled vegetables. 

Goat cheese cheesecake as served at Carbón Cabrón
Service is available with prior reservation only with at least 4 days of anticipation. (Carbón Cabrón)

Michelin Status: Recommended
El Merkado, Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 24.5

Cocina de Autor

Eight to 10-course tasting menus highlight the experience at Cocina de Autor, Dutch master chef Sidney Schutte’s signature restaurant at Grand Velas, and the only restaurant in Los Cabos granted a coveted Michelin star. 

Naturally, it’s hard to interpret giving the only star to a European chef as anything but a backhanded compliment to the region’s cuisine. 

Michelin Status: One Star
Grand Velas, Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 17

Comal

Stylish decor, Sea of Cortezés views, and first-class cuisine courtesy of chef Yvan Mucharraz — formerly of Capella Pedregal — headline the attractions at this picturesque seaside restaurant at the luxurious Chileno Bay Resort & Residences.

Michelin Status: Recommended
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Caretera Transpeninsular Km. 15

Manta

Enrique Olvera, whose Pujol in Mexico City was one of only two restaurants in Mexico to receive two stars, opened this signature eatery at The Cape, A Thompson Hotel in 2015. The focus is on local ingredients, but with a pan-Pacific outlook. 

As the chef told me when the restaurant had its grand opening: “Baja has a Pacific influence, so that’s why we’re playing around with Peruvian and Japanese flavors; because a sashimi, a tiradito, and a Mexican ceviche have a common language.”

Michelin Status: Recommended
The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 5.5

Metate

Tacos Baja as served at Metate Cabo
In the vicinity of Cabo San Lucas, this place serves Mexican specialties with a distinctive touch. (Metate Cabo/Guide Michelin)

A Bib Gourmand selection due to its combination of quality and value, Metate is “welcoming and attractive,” per Michelin, serving up Mexican specialties in a charming outdoor setting just outside Cabo San Lucas. 

Michelin Status: Bib Gourmand
Avenida Crispin Ceseña S/N, El Tezal

Nao

Alex Branch is one of the most talented and well-traveled chefs in Los Cabos having worked with Enrique Olvera at Manta and helmed Acre — two other Michelin-recognized restaurants — before opening the Mediterranean-style Nao.

Michelin Status: Recommended
El Merkado, Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 24.5

Chris Sands is the Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best, writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle features focused on food, wine and golf.

Giraffe reported missing from Culiacán Zoo

By
MND Staff
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5
A giraffe hidden behind lush trees
Sinaloa authorities are only now discussing which route to take to find a giraffe that apparently went missing several months ago.(Magda Ehlers/Pexels)

The unexplained disappearance of one of the two giraffes at the Culiacán Zoo, in the capital city of Sinaloa, has captivated local residents and sparked a wave of viral memes.

The zoo’s new director, José María “Chema” Casanova Rodríguez, confirmed Thursday that when he assumed his role on Nov. 7, the giraffe was already absent. Casanova said determining the animal’s fate falls to his predecessor, Diego García Heredia, who oversaw the zoo during the giraffe’s last recorded presence.

“When I arrived, the [second] giraffe was no longer there,” explained Casanova, who was a Morena city council member in Culiacán, from 2021 to earlier this year. “The [outgoing director] is the one who has to give that answer. As in all zoos … there is a possibility that there was an exchange between zoos, or that there was a death — if so, there should be a necropsy [an animal autopsy].”

Casanova said he has until Jan. 13 to complete a report that includes information about the zoo’s animal inventory and records of animal deliveries and outgoing shipments.

However, he indicated he will present his report a week early, on Jan. 6, so the fate of the giraffe can be clarified.

“I need to finish the handover to determine exactly what happened, not only to the giraffe, but perhaps to all the animals that are or were in the zoo,” he added. 

Portrait of a mature giraffe
As of Friday morning, there were no reports of theft or disappearance of the giraffe. (sk/Pexels)

Input from the former director is expected, and Culiacán Mayor Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil was reportedly looking to meet with zoo staff on Friday to discuss the situation.

As of Friday morning, there were no reports of theft or disappearance of the giraffe, according to Leoncio Pedro García Alatorre, a public security official in Sinaloa. However, he did say that about three and a half months ago, a citizen called an emergency line to report that people were trying to steal a tiger from the zoo (a complaint that was later determined to be false).

Since then, García said, patrols have been maintained near the zoo, with no anomalies reported.

The news of the missing giraffe quickly gained traction online, with local residents creating memes that imagined the over four-meter (13-foot) animal in iconic nearby locations, such as the Tomateros baseball stadium and the Forum Culiacán shopping mall.

Some social media users invoked the city’s challenges, with one post reading, “Even the giraffe left Culiacán because of the violence,” according to Quiero TV.

This is the second Mexico giraffe story to garner headlines in 2024. At the beginning of the year, a giraffe living in deplorable conditions in a city park in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, became a cause célèbre before being moved to a spacious safari park in the state of Puebla.

With reports from Potosí Noticias, El Sol de Sinaloa, Contra Réplica, Los Noticieristas and Quiero TV

Mexico to launch ‘panic button’ for migrants in US ahead of Trump inauguration

By
MND Staff
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49
A person scrolling down through their smartphone
Regardless of migratory status, the panic button for migrants in the U.S. will guarantee the closest consulate is informed of their potential deportation. (Alicia Christin Gerald/Unsplash)

The Mexican government announced on Friday that it is working to develop a “panic button” for migrants in the United States who think they might soon be detained by U.S. immigration authorities.

The effort involves a cellphone app created in response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s warnings that he will carry out mass deportations upon taking office on Jan. 20, 2025.

Speaking at President Sheinbaum’s daily press conference on Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente said the app will allow users to press a button that immediately sends a notification to previously selected relatives and the nearest Mexican consulate. 

Describing the device as a sort of “panic button” for Mexicans in the United States, De la Fuente said small-scale testing has proven that the app “appears to be working very well.”

“The most important thing is that if someone is detained — regardless of migratory status — the consulate is informed and thus able to provide all necessary attention and protect that person’s rights,” De la Fuente said, according to the Mexican news agency Quadratín.

U.S. authorities are obliged to give notice to home-country consulates when a citizen is detained abroad, but the “panic button” would provide immediate notice to more people, expanding the web of transparency.

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, President of Mexico, accompanied by Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, during a press conference at the National Palace where they highlighted migration issues.
The “panic button” would provide immediate notice of a person’s deportation to more people, expanding the web of transparency. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)

The “panic button” allows users to choose contacts they would want to notify in case of emergency and pre-load personalized messages to each recipient. A single click would send all the messages by text in seconds.

President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has pledged to “defend” Mexican migrants at risk of deportation, said the app is expected to be available Jan. 6.

A similar app called Notifica was developed back in 2017 during Trump’s first presidential campaign in which he also spoke about mass deportations. That app is owned and published by United We Dream, an immigrant youth-led network in the United States. 

The newspaper Milenio reported that Mexico’s app is being developed with the assistance of the newly established Digital Transformation Agency. 

It is not yet clear if the app has a de-activation function that would allow someone to rescind an alert if they are not detained.

The Mexican government began preparing for potential mass deportations as a result of Trump’s victory in the November presidential election. 

The government has set up a 24-hour call center to answer migrants’ questions and has added to existing consular staff in the United States, including additional personnel to provide legal help to migrants caught up in the legal process related to deportation, the AP reported.

With reports from Milenio, Quadratín and El Economista

7 restaurants to tuck into a divine plate of pasta in Mexico City

By
Bethany Platanella
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3
a pasta dish on a table
When in need of genuine pasta, where do you go in Mexico City? (The Fry Family Food Co./Unsplash)

I love pasta. The thing is, pasta doesn’t love me, or rather my waistline. I must ingest it minimally. So when I do go out for the stuff, it has to be perfect — handmade and al dente, with fresh herbs and a generous drizzle of tangy extra virgin olive oil. 

I don’t want cream, I don’t want meatballs, I don’t want canned tomato sauce: I want pasta served exactly the way it’s served to me in Italy. That’s right. I’m a bona fide pasta snob. This article has taken me to no less than five of Mexico City’s hottest neighborhoods in search of the perfect plate of pasta.

Homemade ravioli from Toscanaccio
From Toscanaccio’s homemade ravioli stuffed with fresh spinach to Pasta Mestiza’s unique Mexi-pasta fusions, one thing’s for sure: Mexico City is no longer lacking in excellent pasta. (Bethany Platanella)

While my list offers just seven restaurants to start, I know that there are more steaming plates of artfully crafted gnocchi just waiting to be discovered. Leave your favorite pasta gems in the comments below. 

Casa D’Amico

There’s nothing more Italian-style than entering a sweet little Polanco restaurant and being greeted by the owner. This is exactly what you can expect at Casa D’Amico, managed by Walter and Gianmarco. Enjoy a perfect plate of pasta as the father-son duo go from table to table, chatting with customers and minding every detail. The kitchen at this warm and welcoming hotspot is cared for by Walter, a self-taught chef with a passion for creating authentic Italian dishes with Mexican ingredients. Don’t forgo the Fettuccine Gabriel, a specialty dish that marries shrimp and Portobello mushrooms in a white wine sauce topped with Parmesan cheese.

Il Fiorino

Il Fiorino is the type of Italian restaurant where the day’s specials are handwritten on a blank sheet of paper and there’s no website to speak of. The space is so unassuming from the outside, it could be easy to miss if not for the sidewalk sign advertising Verdadera Cocina Italiana.

A beautiful assortment of handmade pasta
Make these pretty pastas yourself at one of Pasta Guapa’s cooking classes. (Bethany Platanella)

Walk inside, however, and you’ll likely be greeted by the outgoing Fernando Forni, owner, chef and food fanatic. Dive into a steaming plate of pappardelle or risotto alla Milanese featuring saffron risotto paired with osso buco paired with your favorite Tuscan wine. The unwritten motto seems to be less fanfare, more quality. What could be more Italian?

Pasta Guapa 

Behind a little window in Narvarte, you’ll find Argentinian chef Melina at the counter, crafting handmade pasta of various forms and flavors. In addition to the classics, there’s freshly-made spinach spaghetti, ravioli stuffed with sweet potato, thick focaccia topped with cherry tomatoes and rosemary and homemade sauces like pesto and tomato. 

Just over two years ago, Chef Mel opened the cozy space as a way to immerse into her adopted home in Mexico while still connecting her to her Argentine roots. One of her clearest childhood memories is the image and aroma of her grandfather’s kitchen as pasta sat drying on the table.

Her desire to incorporate a bit of home has resulted in something very special. Aside from everything being beautiful and delicious, Chef Mel offers something that isn’t so easy to find in Mexico City: pasta-making classes in her intimate studio. Gather with a group of friends around a large central table and learn how to do it yourself. Snacks, aguas frescas and wine are included to hold you over until your group’s Italian feast is ready to eat.

Pasta Mestiza

The newest kid on the block isn’t Italian at all, but rather a Mexican take on pasta dishes. Situated inside the bustling Mercado Roma, Pasta Mestiza blends traditional Italian pasta with the bold and vibrant flavors of authentic Mexican-style sauces. 

Cozy up at one of the six high top stools that line the bar in front of an open kitchen. Sip a glass of wine and chat with the chefs, also the owners, as they craft your pasta dish right in front of you. Choose from an array of sauces that reflect Mexico’s recognizable masterpieces, like barbacoa or salsa matcha. One of its many excellent Google reviews describes it as “the most amazing pasta I’ve had in a long time,” while another pipes in about the “incredible food and even better staff! Loved the pasta, the process, and vibes all around.” 

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Pasta Mestiza (@pastamestiza)

 

Don’t leave without dessert, a knafeh with fresh queso oaxaqueño that is to die for. 

Pazzesca Pizzeria

Nestled at the enchanting corner in La Juárez where Calle Napoles meets Calle Marsella, Pazzesca Pizzeria is sure to draw you in. This cozy yet contemporary restaurant, whose name means something local, extraordinary, or out of the ordinary, is adorned with romantic string lights and a traditional brick pizza oven. If you can manage to tune out the sounds of the passing scrap metal trucks, you might just feel transported to a quaint Italian town.

Owner Alan Niggeler is dedicated to sourcing only the finest ingredients, ensuring that every dish reflects the authenticity and quality of Italian cuisine. And while many of its patrons — many of whom hail from Italy — flock to Pazzesca for pizza, it’s the pasta that truly captivated this discerning diner. I wouldn’t go out for a plate of tagliatelle al funghi anywhere else. 

Suppli

At the corner of Calle Atenas and Avenida Bucareli in La Juárez stands the appropriately-named Chinese Clock, built by the Chinese-Mexican community in 1921 to replace a clock gifted to Mexico by the last emperor of China in 1910. Surrounding this obelisk is an area that just might be the city’s next hotspot, if the explosion of restaurants, cafes and galleries here in the past year is any indication of what awaits. One of these restaurants is impossible not to notice, so inviting and romantic that you’d be a fool to pass by without peeking inside. 

The tiny, ambient Suppli was brought to life by the talented founders of Pastificio. Ale Gutiérrez and Jean Marc Pariente, whose names you might recognize from Food & Wine’s 2024 list of best new chefs, were determined to bring the essence of homemade Roman cuisine to this corner of Mexico City. Their menu is concise and seasonal, relying on local ingredients. Aim to try the classic amatriciana, the pasta carbonara and the fresh arugula salad.

Toscanaccio

Chef Gurioli at Toscanaccio in Mexico City
Chef Gurioli is sure to make your trip to Toscanaccio feel like a veritable trip to Tuscany. (Bethany Platanella)

Just steps from the Monument to the Revolution, Florentine chef Marcello Gurioli and his meticulously-trained cooks are stuffing delicate ravioli with fresh ricotta and handcrafting enough tagliatelle to last them through one busy day. Gurioli spent years learning alongside top European chefs, and the golden rule in his kitchen is that everything be fresh, handmade and fully Italian. His wine list includes Italian classics like Vermintino, as well as pleasant surprises like the organic, floral Varvaglione from Puglia. 

A visit to Toscannacio is an experience if you play your cards right. Sure, you can order from the menu, but why bother? The charismatic Gurioli will more than likely be fluttering around and delighted to create a dish just for you. He loves an adventurous eater, so keep an open mind  — and stomach! — and enjoy a true Italian-style dinner you won’t soon forget.

Buon appetito!

Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog or follow her on Instagram.

Welcome 2025 with a 12-grape New Year’s Eve martini

By
Stephen Randall
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3
12 green grapes on a wooden serving board
Though the tradition originates in Spain, eating 12 lucky grapes at midnight is beloved by many in Mexico. (Ralf Roletschek/GFDL)

It’s the last night of the year in Mexico, a country as alive as its sunsets and as unpredictable as its fireworks. The clock ticks toward midnight, and everyone’s armed: not with champagne flutes or noisemakers, but with grapes. 12 of them, fat, green, juicy and symbolic of the year to come.

How many months of good luck do you want in the new year? Try to eat that many before the bell is finished tolling. The scene looks like a surrealist painting where time and fruit collide.

The New Year’s Eve grapes ritual started in Spain, some time in the early 20th century. Legend has it that a clever bunch of vineyard owners found themselves drowning in surplus grapes. Instead of composting or wine-making, they turned to marketing: eat a grape for each stroke of the clock on New Year’s Eve, they proclaimed, and you’ll ensure good fortune for the twelve months to come. The idea caught fire faster than a dried-out Christmas tree.

12 green grapes on Christmas-themed plate
Green grapes are right at home among sweet end-of-year treats. (Jacinta Iluch Valero/CC BY-SA 3.0)

When the custom crossed the Atlantic, it nestled into the Mexican spirit like carne asada fits into a taco. After all, Mexico is a place where traditions speak louder than words, where the past and present weave together. The twelve grapes became more than a custom— they turned into a hope, a wish, a small act of defiance against the uncertainties of life.

At 11:59, everyone’s ready, grapes in hand. The first bell rings out, and the mouths start moving, swallowing the months like they’re good luck charms for the soul. January goes down easy. March? A little sour. August sticks in someone’s throat, maybe predicting a heat wave or heartbreak. Loud coughing is heard on the October grape: we might have a comrade down. But by the twelfth stroke, the deed is done. When the new year arrives, shiny and full of question marks, the people of Mexico, Spain or anyone who is inclined to take on this vineyard challenge, welcome it with sticky fingers and hopeful hearts.

12-grape martini: A sophisticated celebration

Ingredients

  • 12 green grapes
  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz elderflower liqueur
  • 1 oz Lillet Blanc
  • ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Toothpicks for garnish

Instructions

  1. Thread 12 green grapes onto a cocktail skewer or toothpicks in groups of three or four, depending on the size. 
  2. In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, elderflower liqueur, Lillet Blanc and lemon juice. Fill the shaker with ice.
  3. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to ensure everything is well chilled and combined.
  4. Double strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass to achieve a smooth texture.
  5. Place the skewered grapes over the rim of the glass or let them rest elegantly on the side as an edible decoration. For an extra aromatic touch, lightly express the oil from a lemon peel over the drink before garnishing. 

This cocktail works because it’s absurd, elegant and just the right amount of superstitious— like the New Year itself. You’ve got twelve grapes sitting smugly on the toothpicks, a nod to tradition, scarf them down with the 12 strokes of midnight, and enjoy your libation. 

Vodka and Lillet? Pure optimism in liquid form. Elderflower liqueur adds a whisper of floral je ne sais quoi: “What is elderflower? And why is it so good?” Lemon juice brings balance, reminding you that life is equal parts bitter and sweet. Sip slowly, toast the chaos and hope the 12 grapes do their job. Happy New Year! 

Stephen Randall has lived in Mexico since 2018 by way of Kentucky, and before that, Germany. He’s an enthusiastic amateur chef who takes inspiration from many different cuisines, with favorites including Mexican and Mediterranean. His recipes can also be found on YouTube.

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