Tequila: The Spirit of Mexico Book

Long considered a lowbrow liquor, tequila today is one of the fastest-growing beverages in the world, and the growth is decidedly upscale. An entire tequila culture has developed not only throughout Mexico but in sophisticated restaurants and bars all over the world, from New York to Los Angeles, London to Tokyo. Despite this trend, little has been published about tequila and its origins, varieties, and method of production--until now. In this delightfully visual book, author Enrique Martínez Limón takes the reader on a fascinating anecdotal journey through the history of tequila, complete with information about how it is grown and produced, and descriptions of its legends, heroes, songs, and artistic manifestations. The lively text is enhanced by Michael Calderwood's beautiful photography and the specially commissioned artwork. This revised edition includes a new chapter on mezcal, a "first cousin" of tequila that has been attracting a great deal of attention in recent years with high-end and single-village bottlings coming onto the market. The final chapters provide recipes for tequila-based cocktails and for dishes using tequila, as well as professional ratings of more than a hundred brands, extensively updated for this edition.