Velas Resorts Press Room

Festival Traces the Origins of Agave Through Tequila, Mezcal, and Raicilla, Amid the Traditions of Day of the Dead 

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (September 18, 2026) - The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit will host the fourth annual Mexology Fest on November 2 and 3. As part of the luxury resort's immersive Day of the Dead celebrations, the festival explores the rich heritage of Mexico's agave spirits—tequila, mezcal, and raicilla—through a curated series of tastings, workshops, and cocktail experiences led by acclaimed international mixologists. Now in its fourth year, Mexology Fest has grown into one of the resort's most anticipated annual events, drawing returning guests and mixologists alike for its mix of tastings, hands-on workshops, and cultural programming. Each edition has paired centuries-old spirits with new voices in mixology, and this year's roster brings together bartenders and content creators from Los Angeles, Toronto, and Mexico City alongside returning host Saeed "Hawk" House who has been a part of the event since the beginning.

Event Highlights

• Signature Spirits: Tastings of tequila, mezcal, and raicilla that trace the traditions behind each spirit.
• Liquid Alchemy: Cocktail-making sessions pairing contemporary technique with ancestral spirits.
• Mexican Heritage: Programming inspired by Day of the Dead traditions and contemporary Mexican art.
• Rayo Bar Takeover: Rayo Bar, one of the World's 50 Best bars, will take over the resort's Half Moon Terrace for signature cocktails and seasonal flavor pairings.
• Raicilla Virtual Reality Experience: Immersive look at the agave fields where raicilla is produced, followed by a handcrafted cocktail.
• Farewell Cocktail at Majahuitas: Accessible only by boat, Majahuitas will provide a spectacular finale to Mexology Fest with an unforgettable beach celebration set within the secluded jungle sanctuary of its pristine cove. As the sun sets, each festival host will showcase a signature cocktail created exclusively for the occasion, while a live DJ sets the rhythm against the backdrop of lush jungle, turquoise waters, and the natural beauty of Mexico's Pacific coast.

Mexology Maestros

• Saeed "Hawk" House (@saeedhawkhouse) - A Los Angeles-based bartender with over a decade of experience, House built Cocktails By Hawk, a platform pairing cocktails with photography, and has been recognized on Food & Wine's list of 20 Black Mixologists You Need on Your Radar. This marks his fourth year hosting Mexology Fest.
• Ahmad N. Rustom (@ahmudius) - A craft cocktail bartender based in Toronto, Rustom tends bar at Liquid Courage, a speakeasy known for its freestyle approach to bartending, with a background in glassware, ice, and flavor pairing. Within Mexology, Ahmad hosts The Art of Freestyling at Sen Lin, exploring freestyle cocktail-making through balance, flavor, texture, and intuition, with live creations and guest requests.
• Danica McGuinness (@drinkswithdanica)- A lifestyle content creator and three-time Emmy Award-winning NBC news producer, McGuinness is known for her recipes, cocktails, and travel content across the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. At Mexology, McGuinness hosts The Mexican Cocktail Codex at Azul Restaurant Terrace, looking beyond the margarita to the stories and traditions behind Mexican cocktails including the Paloma, Cantarito, and Batanga.
• Carolyn Pascual (@thesocialsipper)- Founder of The Social Sipper, a cocktail and mocktail media brand launched in 2018, Pascual built her platform on approachable recipes and photography, including her series Barely Buzzed. At Mexology, she'll host Craft Your Flavor at 812 Royal Suite Terrace, where guests build their own cocktail, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, around a local seasonal ingredient.
• Rayo Cocktail Bar (@rayococktailbar) - A Mexico City cocktail bar named for the legend of the Mexica goddess Mayahuel, whose descent to earth as an agave plant is said to have been struck by lightning, releasing the liquid that became pulque and was later distilled into mezcal, raicilla, and tequila. Its cocktail program turns Mexican ingredients, spirits, myths and traditions into a sensory tasting experience.

Mexology is sponsored by Vallarta Adventures & Majahuitas, Perrier,  Tequila Tromba, Tequila Don Julio, Tequila Espolón, Campari, Mezcal Montelobos, Mezcal La Última Y Nos Vamos, Mezcal Destreza, Raicilla Reserva Del Ciervo, and Raicilla Marioneta.

Mexology Fest is included in the all-inclusive rate for guests staying at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. Rates start at $570 per person per night. For more information, visit https://mexologyfest.velasresorts.com/en/. 

About Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit:

The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit enjoys a privileged setting with flowering gardens beside a long stretch of walkable beach and a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains in Puerto Vallarta. The resort features 267 suites, many with ocean-views and some with private outdoor jacuzzis. Of the resort's six restaurants, four, serving French, Italian, Asian and Mexican gourmet cuisine, have received AAA Four Diamond awards for distinguished cuisine and presentation. With treatments inspired by the native traditions of Mexico and a signature Water Ceremony, SE Spa is rated Five Stars by Forbes Travel Guide. Other features include a three-tiered pool, fitness center, 24/7 in-suite service, water sports, tennis and pickleball courts, Baby Concierge, new expansive Kids' Club with indoor and outdoor areas, toddler pool, and state-of-the-art Teens' Club. The All-Inclusive resort in the Riviera Nayarit features more than 15,064 square feet of indoor meeting facilities. Velas Resorts was built by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, Founding President of Velas Resorts. Juan Vela Ruiz is Chief Executive Officer of the company. For reservations or additional information please visit vallarta.grandvelas.com. Explore tips, recipes, lifestyle and travel trends, and the latest news about Velas Resorts on the digital mag: www.velasmagazine.com.