The first time I tried Mexican whiskey, I was spending a long weekend in Merida with a friend.
We stumbled into a cute little bottle shop looking for wine and found shelves full of other local spirits. Tequila and mezcal… but also Mexican whiskey, gin, rum, and even apéritifs!
This was before I became obsessed with mezcal and got my sommelier certification, so I knew very little about what went into producing alcohol. I could tell how much care went into these brands, though.
It was obvious by their labels (some beautifully designed, some a little makeshift) and the tiny lot numbers scrawled on the back of the bottle.
The tech bro in my brain wondered how someone could possibly make a profit when making just 500 or so bottles.
The art school grad was reminded of all the weird projects I put out into the world, just hoping that this would be the time I’d break even. (Friends, I never broke even 😆)
It’s always been hard to make a living as an artist, but these days, it feels like it’s becoming increasingly hard to make artisan anything.
I don’t want to live in a world where my only options are Bud Light and Jose Cuervo, thank you very much.
I want to drink the good stuff, the weird stuff, the drinks that tell me something about a place and the people who make it.
Because that’s what food and drinks are. Thousands of years of stories that get lost between the kitchen and the plate.
Or the bottle and the glass, in my case.
ICYMI
The first season of the podcast is wrapped!
We explored all the drinks you didn’t know Mexico was making, and making well. Including Mexican whiskey, gin, craft beer, and even aperitifs! Plus, a bonus detour into the world of local coffee.
If you missed some eps, now's the time to catch up!
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Another thing on my mind
How expensive/impossible it feels to run a restaurant or bar anywhere these days, but especially in the US.
Related reads that I can't stop thinking about:
- Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road
- How 5 Bars Price Their Margaritas
- Opening a Restaurant in NYC is No Picnic
I'm currently on a plane to Europe for my second go at London Cocktail Week and a few weeks exploring the cities (read: distilleries) of Scotland.
Stay tuned for some travel stories!