Liquid Mexico: Festive Spirits, Tequila Culture, and the Infamous Worm [Paperback]

Becky Youman (Author), Bryan Estep (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

This entertaining travelogue delves into the locales, festivities, and history related to MexicoÂ’s most famous libations. Each of the chapters focuses on a specific beverage as well as the region of the country most closely associated with that particular drink as seen through the eyes of a U.S. couple. The authors describe a wealth of interesting characters as they travel the country to unearth the traditions and unique culture associated with each drink and its corresponding location.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. This might look like just another reference for the bar shelf, but halfway into chapter one's hilarious account of surviving the Tequila Express from Guadalajara to Tequila—complete with nonstop dance brigades of retirees doing the macarena—readers will know they can hunker down for some seriously entertaining armchair travel. Youman and Estep, a husband and wife writing alternate chapters, have studied and worked in Mexico in various capacities and now live in Arizona. For this volume, they took the sociable theme of drinking—beer, tequila, pulque, mescal, margaritas, micheladas, etc.—and traveled Mexico learning what they could, which means readers will emerge knowledgeable about such delightful trivia as why pulque tastes worse the farther it's traveled from the tinacal (production site), and where the margarita got its name. Even better are the authors' more offbeat quests: visiting the flagellants of Atotonilco, training to sing with mariachis, tasting salsa made from live jumil (a kind of beetle), tracing Carlos Santana's relatives and observing gringo students' binge drinking during spring break in Cancún. This fun book allows readers to get close to things they wouldn't want to do themselves—like eat a gusano (mescal worm)—without the hangover. Photos. (Dec.)
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From the Inside Flap

"A well-written, captivating journey that guides the reader into the heart and soul of Mexico. Along the way we learn about the birth of mariachi music, Taxco’s silversmith tradition, the impact of tourism in the Yucatan, the evolution of Oaxacan ceramics, and the Cuban cultural influence in Veracruz."

—Jonathan Stein, Publisher, Open Road Travel Guides

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Bilingual Review Pr (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931010269
• ISBN-13: 978-1931010269
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,431,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mexico Traveler's Treasure!, December 17, 2005

By 

Kristin C. Peterson "KP art lady" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Liquid Mexico: Festive Spirits, Tequila Culture, and the Infamous Worm (Paperback)

This is a great book. Even though it's about alcohol, it's not really about drinking. It's way more about the history and culture that surrounds the drinks. If you like Mexico, even if you're a teetotaler, you'll like this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining..., January 7, 2006

By 

Jeff Renshaw - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liquid Mexico: Festive Spirits, Tequila Culture, and the Infamous Worm (Paperback)

I was impressed by the numerous bibliographical references at the end of each chapter. I was expecting a simple book on drinking and traveling, but obviously a lot of serious research went into this book. Great reading for the beach or library.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun (and useful) Book!, December 14, 2005

By 

Carine Gursky (San Francisco, California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Liquid Mexico: Festive Spirits, Tequila Culture, and the Infamous Worm (Paperback)

This couple went on some fun adventures in Mexico, did some great research on the history of the drinks mentioned in the book (tequila, mezcal, margaritas, Corona, etc), and put it together in a highly entertaining format. I think any arm chair traveler would get a kick out of reading this -- I did.