March 2026

Slow Drinking Guide

A monthly beverage and culture forward letter written to celebrate Latin American heritage.

♀️Mujeres &🎤Chicago Storytellers

If you have not been to Mexico City (CDMX) in March in your lifetime, ten out of ten, I highly recommend. I am manifesting a Vida Mia-themed trip in Spring 2027 where guests can join me on an eco-friendly experience to CDMX leading to International Women's Day 8M to march with mujeres in solidarity of ending violence against women, exploring local art history, and slow drinking/eating our way through Mexico City while contributing to the local economy. This time of the year is also jacaranda tree season where you will find these purple blooms lined up near Palacio de Bellas Artes, Paseo de la Reforma, Condesa, Roma, Coyoacán, and other ancient public parks in the heart of the city. The jacaranda trees where introduced by a Japanese landscape artist Matsumoto who moved to Mexico from Brazil in the 1930's. Then Mexican President Pascual Rubio wanted Japanese cherry blossoms like Washington, D.C., and Matsumoto advised against it (go Matsumoto!) because jacarandas are better suited for the CDMX environment and had a longer-lasting bloom.

The second best time to go to CDMX in March is leading to the Spring Equinox. Picture this, a day trip from CDMX to Teotihuacán (30 miles away) to watch the sunrise in a hot air balloon. Lodging at a family-owned home created by a father-daughter duo of local engineers and architects that is located only a fifteen-minute walk to the pyramids of the Sun and Moon. Dining at a 1930's restaurant located in an ancient cave where guests arrive by first lighting a candle to place an intention in a corner of reverence to the ancestors and opening a menu with Nahuatal names for ingredients and dishes.

For a three-day guide to Mexico City planned by yours truly, visit my blog post below and download the guide. Direct message me if you want to collaborate on building an eco-friendly travel experience to CDMX for Spring 2027. A girl can dream!

In this months Slow Drinking guide below, I have carefully listed places that are Chicago staples and Chicagoans who are storytellers in honor of our city's 189th birthday. Yes, Chicago is a Pisces. Just saying.

Where to slow drink in Chicago.....

🥂 ZERO PROOF COCKTAILS: Opened by Chicagoans for all the sober curious, I want to highlight In Good Spirits Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shop who run their business based on three key values of inclusivity, community, and connection. Visit their shop to taste their new line of Mexican sparkling tonic drinks called Aire - two flavors are Mango con Chile De Arbol and Hibiscus Con Limon.

🎟️ STORIES & SIPS EVENT: Hosted by my dear friend Linda Sullivan of Seyna Secreto, join us for an evening of live music, storytelling hour, and hand-crafted beverages on Friday, March 27th. Sit back to listen to an open-mic style hour featuring local comedians, musicians, and storytellers including me (thank you Linda for invite). I will be sharing a 7 to 10 minute short story with a poem. RSVP here.

☕ LOCAL CAFES: Grown in Guatemala & Honduras. Roasted in Chicago. Anticonquista Café is a family farm-owned and operated shop in Pilsen. The beloved cafe proudly identifies as a woman and immigrant-owned business. Give them some love by visiting, sharing their work, and amplifying their story.

💐 CHICAGO REINAS: This Women's History Month give your mamacita, las tias, hermanas, hijas, god-daughters, abuelitas, and special women in your life their flowers (preferably from your street vendors or Flowers for Dreams).

Check out the Vida Mia Directory for a list of local partners that cater to corporate offices and private events. New additions will be added bi-monthly.