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Into the Underworld. Edinburgh's new Mictlan Trail blends Aztec mythology with tequila, mezcal and a city-wide cocktail adventure

Writer: Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson
1 hour ago
3 min read

Ancient legends, inventive cocktails and some of Edinburgh's best bars combine in the Mictlan Trail, a city-wide adventure inspired by the perilous journey through the Aztec underworld. Mrs Bite investigates.


A new cocktail trail has arrived in Edinburgh and runs until 30 November. Dubbed the Mictlan Trail, it is built around tequila and mezcal and is a collaboration between distributor Spirits Cartel and several of the city's leading cocktail bars.


Earlier this year, Signature Pubs launched the Margarita Mile and Daiquiri Dash, with stops across venues in its estate. The Mictlan Trail, however, is tied together by a different theme: agave spirits.


For Spirits Cartel, the initiative showcases its portfolio to both consumers and the trade, while drinkers are rewarded with a series of inventive serves. Cocktails and storytelling have always gone hand in hand, and the Mictlan Trail offers plenty of scope for liquid narratives.



Mictlan is the underworld of Aztec mythology, serving as the final resting place for those who die of natural causes. It is a realm ruled by the skeletal deity Mictlantecuhtli and his consort, Mictecacihuatl. To attain eternal peace and dissolve into the cosmos, souls must endure a perilous four-year journey through nine gruelling levels, overcoming hazards including crushing mountains, obsidian winds and heart-devouring jaguars.


I follow a pair of Spirits Cartel drinks ambassadors into the underworld. Our journey starts at The Voodoo Rooms, where bartender Leo creates a cocktail inspired by the first level of Mictlan.


At Level One, souls must enlist the help of a many-syllabled dog to guide them across a river. Only those who treat dogs kindly during their mortal coil receive assistance; those who mistreat animals are left stranded on the riverbank.



Inspired by themes of companionship and travel, Leo creates Dusk in the Valley, a mix of Casahuin Blanco Tequila, mezcal, Cynar, Crossip Pure Hibiscus and Blood Orange, Mandarin & Bergamot Soda. Visually, it resembles a reverse Tequila Sunrise, with the orange hue settling at the bottom of the glass. The effect reflects Leo's vision of souls beginning their journey at sunset.


From there, we continue deeper into the underworld, heading to Lady Libertine, Paz Taqueria, The Powder Room Bar and Sköll & Hati, while another group explores the remaining venues on the trail. Each venue interprets a different chapter of the Mictlan journey, turning ancient mythology into modern cocktails.


One of the standout serves for me is Level Four at The Powder Room. Here, the Obsidian Kiss combines Pa' Todo Tequila Blanco, lemon, chilli and ginger in what feels like a dark and brooding twist on a hot toddy. In the mythology, this stage of the underworld is buffeted by relentless winds carrying razor-sharp shards of obsidian, capable of flaying anything in their path. Given Scotland's familiarity with howling gales and biting weather, it feels an entirely appropriate interpretation. The warming spice of chilli and ginger provides comfort against the storm, while the tequila cuts through with enough bite to remind you that this is no gentle passage.

There is also plenty of incentive to immerse yourself in the experience. Along the way, visitors collect stamps, stickers and other merchandise, and I would suggest allowing yourself at least three outings to complete the trail properly rather than attempting to rush through it in a single session.


There is much more I could say about the individual cocktails, stories and venues, but that would spoil the adventure. Like the souls making their way through Mictlan, this is a journey best undertaken for yourself. Whether you are a tequila aficionado, a cocktail enthusiast or simply looking for a fresh way to explore Edinburgh's bar scene, the trail rewards curiosity at every turn.


The good news is that this may not be a one-off. Spirits Cartel hopes to bring the Mictlan Trail back to the city next year, giving drinkers another opportunity to navigate the twists, turns and dangers of the Aztec underworld, one cocktail at a time.


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