Dreams of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Central Park by Diego Rivera
Feliz Cinco de Mayo! This is the day we remember the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla. Though the French would eventually succeed in installing Emperor Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico, the day remains a source of pride and celebration for Mexican Americans… and they also sort of care in Mexico. They close the schools, that’s something!
We here at Sartle are ready to celebrate, but not anxious to watch a bunch of bros slurp Jose Cuervo out of a stranger’s bellybutton while high-fiving for “Mexican Independence Day!” (gag) So, in celebration of the Battle of Puebla, art-history, and our agoraphobia we’ve created a sure-fire way to take in some Mexican culture and drink lots of tequila, all from the comforts of home! Say hola to the Frida drinking game!
– Step 1: Find a copy of the 2002 Frida Kahlo biopic Frida. –
Oh wow, it’s on Netflix. That was easy. Done.
The poster above is a composite inspired by two Kahlo paintings, The Two Fridas and Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair. Though director Julie Taymor likely had nothing to do with the poster, it is indicative of the film’s skilled incorporation of Kahlo’s paintings to progress the plot and highlight themes. The paintings are located at the Museum of Modern Art Mexico and the Museum of Modern Art, New York respectively.
– Step 2: Pick your poison. –
Frida in Xochimilco, Mexico City circa 1931
Or as we like to call it, rename tequila cocktail recipes to fit your theme! We’ve provided a few drink ideas, but encourage you to take your favorite tequila based recipe and get creative with a festive title.
- Drink option 1: The Fridarita
Frida was a communist groupie. Here she is with one of her idols Joseph Stalin. Frida was banging Leon Trotsky, who Stalin had assassinated. Apparently she didn’t hold a grudge. Self Portrait with Stalin at the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City
While we’re pretty sure any woman who had the cojones to have Rivera, Stalin, and Trotsky as lovers would take her tequila straight, strawberry- jalapeño margaritas are sweet, salty, and pack a fiery punch just like our badass heroine. Wanna get hammered-and-sickled like Frida? This is a good place to start.
- Drink Option 2: Frida Meets Manhattan
Don’t worry, after a few Manhattans that cutie at the bar won’t care that you’re rocking a Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird style unibrow. You can visit this painting at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas.
Despite her current status as a household name, Frida’s only solo exhibition during her prolific career was in 1938 at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York City. In honor of that important event here is a twist with a twist on our favorite drink! This libation is literally full of spirit(s) and will definitely put hair on that unibrow.
- Drink Option 3: Suicide Shots of Dorothy Hale
On permanent display at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.
Though inspired by the beautiful and ethereal painting The Suicide of Dorothy Hale (above) this shot is anything but. With a combination of four different liquors you’d have to have a death wish to swallow this down.
- Drink Option 4: The Frog Prince
In 1907’s Self Portrait at the Dolores Olmedo Museum in Mexico City, the 21 year old Rivera has yet to reach peak Frog.
Perhaps a reference to his hidden soft side, or maybe because he looked like a toad, Frida Kahlo lovingly referred to husband Diego Rivera as her “Frog Prince.” Here we have a green and slimy margarita paying tribute to his Royal Froginess. If you don’t have access to green juice don’t fret, this title works just as well with a basic lime margarita. Let’s face it, no amount of kale and apple juice will make tequila and Triple Sec healthy.
– Step 3: Play the game. –
Below are categories of rules. They are mere suggestions and you should adjust them according to your alcohol tolerance. Please don’t die.
1. Sipping rules:
- Booze for boobs - drink every time you see a new nipple. Male or female, we don’t discriminate. *please see #2 for additional boob related rules
- Flushed for fat - drink every time someone refers to (in any language) how large Diego is. Fun fact, Alfred Molina gained 50 lbs for the role of Diego.
- Party for paintings - drink every time you spot a new painting or mural.
2. Take a shot rules:
- When there is a party.
- When there are more than one pair of exposed breasts in a scene.
- Take a “Suicide” shot when they show The Suicide of Dorothy Hale
3. Chugging rules:
- Throughout any surrealist montage.
Bonus Rules:
- Rumor has it Madonna wanted to be cast/ was simultaneously working on developing her own Frida biopic when this film was in pre-production. Now that you know that, drink every time you’re happy Salma won that war.
- Drink every time you wish Madonna had been cast as Frida.
- Drink every time you find it distracting that everyone has exaggerated Mexican accents, yet only speaks the occasional word of Spanish.
- Drink every time you wonder why the hell Ashley Judd is in this (and seems to be doing a Bela Lugosi impersonation)?
Oh, yeah…that’s why!
- Drink for King Kong!
- Drink anytime you want all the clothes.
- Drink anytime you think Salma Hayek’s Unibrow is just a little too glamorously groomed.
- For the hardcore: drink every time anyone in the movie drinks.
Have fun and please drink responsibly!
¡Salud!
By: Sarah Oesterling
Sr. Contributor