How the gringos stole tequila : the modern age of Mexico's most traditional spirit

Once little more than party fuel, tequila has graduated to the status of fine sipping spirit. __How the Gringos Stole Tequila__ traces the spirit's evolution in America from frat-house firewater to luxury good. But there's more to the story than tequila as upmarket drinking trend. Author Chantal Martineau spent several years immersing herself in the world of tequila -- traveling to visit distillers and agave farmers in Mexico, meeting and tasting with leading experts and mixologists around the United States, and interviewing academics on either side of the border who have studied the spirit.The result is a book that offers readers a glimpse into the social history and ongoing impact of this one-of-a-kind drink. It addresses issues surrounding the sustainability of the limited resource that is agave, the preservation of traditional production methods, and the agave advocacy movement that has grown up alongside the spirit's swelling popularity. In addition to discussing the culture and politics of Mexico's most popular export, this book also takes readers on a colorful tour of the country's Tequila Trail, as well as introducing them to the mother of tequila: mezcal. "Chantal Martineau has written a compelling travelogue, tasting guide, business analysis, and ecological primer that firmly places tequila and its cousins as worthy spirits beyond cheap college margarita drunks." —Mark Pendergrast, author of Uncommon Grounds Tequila is one of the fastest-growing spirits categories in America, the margarita the country's most popular cocktail. But no longer is it only cheap party fuel—it has become America's luxury sipping spirit. How the Gringos Stole Tequila eloquently traces this extraordinary evolution. Author Chantal Martineau spent years immersing herself in the world of tequila––traveling to visit distillers and farmers in Mexico, meeting and tasting with leading experts and mixologists around the United States, and interviewing academics on either side of the border who have studied the spirit and its raw material: agave. Her book addresses issues surrounding the sustainability of the limited resource that is agave, the preservation of traditional production methods, and the legal constructs designed to protect tequila from counterfeiting. But it also takes readers on a colorful tour of the country's Tequila Trail, introducing them to the mother of tequila: mezcal. Including an unprecedented drinking guide to Mexico's agave-based spirits and a stunning collection of full-color photographs of the production process, How the Gringos Stole Tequila will long remain the definitive look at the evolution of North America's only truly native spirit. Chantal Martineau has written articles about food, drink, culture, and travel for the Atlantic, the Guardian, Redbook, Saveur, Time Out, the Village Voice, and Wine Enthusiast, among others. She lives in New York City. "Chantal Martineau has written a compelling travelogue, tasting guide, business analysis, and ecological primer that firmly places tequila and its cousins as worthy spirits beyond cheap college margarita drunks." —Mark Pendergrast, author of Uncommon Grounds Tequila is one of the fastest-growing spirits categories in America, the margarita the country's most popular cocktail. But no longer is it only cheap party fuel—it has become America's luxury sipping spirit. How the Gringos Stole Tequila eloquently traces this extraordinary evolution. Author Chantal Martineau spent years immersing herself in the world of tequila––traveling to visit distillers and farmers in Mexico, meeting and tasting with leading experts and mixologists around the United States, and interviewing academics on either side of the border who have studied the spirit and its raw material: agave. Her book addresses issues surrounding the sustainability of the limited resource that is agave, the preservation of traditional production methods, and the legal constructs designed to protect tequila from counterfeiting. But it also takes readers on a colorful tour of the country's Tequila Trail, introducing them to the mother of tequila: mezcal. Including an unprecedented drinking guide to Mexico's agave-based spirits and a stunning collection of full-color photographs of the production process, How the Gringos Stole Tequila will long remain the definitive look at the evolution of North America's only truly native spirit. Chantal Martineau has written articles about food, drink, culture, and travel for the Atlantic, the Guardian, Redbook, Saveur, Time Out, the Village Voice, and Wine Enthusiast, among others. She lives in New York City. Front Cover 1 Front Flip 2 Title Page 3 Half Title 5 Copyright 6 Dedication 7 Contents 9 Preface | In the Beginning, There Were Body Shots 11 1 Before Tequila Came Pulque 25 2 The Mysteries of Distillation 37 3 The Long, Hard Life of Agave 55 4 Putting Tequila on the Map 75 5 The Terroir of Tequila 99 6 La Ruta del Mezcal 111 7 El Día del Magueyero 125 8 Tequila Goes Top Shelf 159 9 Bottling Mexican Identity 175 10 The Agave Activists 189 11 America’s Favorite Cocktail 209 Epilogue | The Nightcap 217 Appendix | Another Round, or, 99 Tequilas and Mezcales to Try Before You Die 223 Acknowledgments 275 Notes 277 Bibliography 285 Index 291 Back Flip 307 Back Cover 308 Once little more than party fuel, tequila has graduated to the status of fine sipping spirit. How the Gringos Stole Tequila traces the spirit's evolution in America from frat-house firewater to luxury good. But there's more to the story than tequila as upmarket drinking trend. Author Chantal Martineau spent several years immersing herself in the world of tequila -- traveling to visit distillers and agave farmers in Mexico, meeting and tasting with leading experts and mixologists around the United States, and interviewing academics on either side of the border who have studied the spirit. The result is a book that offers readers a glimpse into the social history and ongoing impact of this one-of-a-kind drink. It addresses issues surrounding the sustainability of the limited resource that is agave, the preservation of traditional production methods, and the agave advocacy movement that has grown up alongside the spirit's swelling popularity. In addition to discussing the culture and politics of Mexico's most popular export, this book also takes readers on a colorful tour of the country's Tequila Trail, as well as introducing them to the mother of mezcal. "Tracing the evolution of one of the fastest growing spirits in America, from frat-house firewater to a luxury beverage, the author, having immersed herself in the world of the tequila over the last five years, discusses the history and politics of Mexico's popular export, "--Novelist.;Preface -- 1 Before Tequila Came Pulque -- 2 The Mysteries of Distillation -- 3 The Long, Hard Life of Agave -- 4 Putting Tequila on the Map -- 5 The Terroir of Tequila -- 6 La Ruta de Mezcal -- 7 El Día del Magueyero -- 8 Tequila Goes Top Shelf -- 9 Bottling Mexican Identity -- 10 The Agave Activists -- 11 America's Favorite Cocktail -- Epilogue -- Appendix -- Acknowledgments -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.