Mexican spirits for your altar

The tradition of placing a Day of the Dead altar dictates that, among other elements like candles or incense, the offering must include the favorite food and drink of the person it is dedicated to, so Mexican spirits are a must.There are various types of spirits in the world, but Mexican ones are undoubtedly very representative on a global scale (yes, we are talking about tequila), and here we present some options of Mexican spirits ideal for your altar.What are the Mexican spirits?Spirit is an alcoholic beverage distilled from a fermented substance, for example, from fruits, cereals, grains, and vegetables like agave. The basic principle of spirit is alcohol diluted in water, hence its name, which in Latin refers to its low flammability, although it is also believed to be due to the sensation it causes.There are simple spirits to which nothing is added, and four of them are very well-known: rum, brandy, whisky, and Mexican tequila.Thus, tequila is the most famous Mexican spirit, fermented and distilled from blue agave, with a designation of origin in five states of the country: Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, and Jalisco.In the same way as tequila, mezcal is another Mexican spirit, fermented and distilled from agave, which in recent years has gained ground to become almost as relevant as tequila.From mezcal, there are other spirits that you may also know. One of them is bacanora, originating from Sonora; sotol, produced in Chihuahua, Durango, and Coahuila; and raicilla, from the Sierra Madre Occidental.Regarding Mexican spirits made from sugarcane juice, we have charanda, typical of the state of Michoacán, and its name comes from Purépecha, meaning red earth, in honor of the hill La Charanda.All these spirits are regional, so you won't find more Mexican beverages than these for your Day of the Dead altar.