Courtesy of University of Texas Press
The distillation of agave heart juice into mezcal is a centuries-old practice, even if most Americans didn’t get hip to the smoky spirit until the 21st century. Their enthusiasm has driven interest, and tourism dollars, to Oaxaca, where 90% of mezcal is produced, but there’s more to the story. That’s where Ronda L. Brulotte enters, with her UT Press-published anthropological study, which takes pains to explore “the consumerism, gentrification, migration, racism, and gender inequities underlying the drink’s commercial success.” Brulotte will appear in conversation with Raj Patel at this author event and guided mezcal tasting co-presented by UT’s Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies. Be sure to RSVP to secure your seat; ticket price includes a copy of the book. – Kimberley Jones
