The Art of Tequila: Spirit of Mexico

The Art of Tequila: Spirit of Mexico is a visually arresting and authoritative exploration of tequila as one of Mexico’s most enduring cultural forces. Blending rare archival imagery, elegantly photographed art bottles, and immersive scenes from Mexico’s vibrant cultural life—from agave fields and master distilleries to the ritual artistry of charrería—the book traces tequila’s evolution from its sacred origins in Jalisco to its modern role as a global symbol of Mexican identity and creative expression. At its core, The Art of Tequila: Spirit of Mexico celebrates the powerful intersection of art, craft, and innovation, featuring iconic Mexican artists such as Leonora Carrington, Francisco Toledo, Juan Soriano, Ana Pellicer, and Pedro Friedeberg, alongside internationally renowned figures including Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. The book pays homage to tequila’s relationship with Mexico’s artists and artisans, with a special focus on the visionary collaborations and artistic legacy of the Cuervo family of brands—including 1800® Tequila, Maestro Dobel® Tequila, and Reserva de la Familia®—where each bottle becomes a sculptural, collectible work honoring heritage while pushing creative boundaries.

A defining example within the book is 1800® Tequila, which has an enduring commitment to the pursuit of the best taste, both in tequila and in life. As the world’s most awarded tequila, 1800® Tequila has long expressed this philosophy through art in non-traditional mediums, transforming the glass bottle into an alternative canvas. Through artist-led limited-edition collections and cultural programs, the brand collaborates with both established and influential creative voices. The 1800 Milenio® Artist Series has produced highly sought-after collectible bottles through partnerships with artists such as Pedro Friedeberg, Gabriel de la Mora, and Darío Escobar, while the 1800 Essential Artist Series features over 50 signature collaborations—from comic and street art pioneers to towering trailblazers like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. At its highest expression, 1800 Colección™ Tequila unites liquid mastery and artistic vision, with uniquely designed decanters by iconic artists including Leonora Carrington, Bosco Sodi, and Francisco Toledo. Together, these collaborations underscore tequila’s evolving dialogue with art, culture, and refined taste.

The Art of Tequila: Spirit of Mexico also features Dobel® Tequila, a brand that champions contemporary art, Mexican hospitality, and innovation through creative platforms focused on mastery of craft. Dedicated to celebrating craftsmanship and cultural legacy, Dobel Tequila uplifts artists and artisans whose work is rooted in tradition yet speaks to modern Latin American culture. The book highlights standout expressions including Dobel Grandes Maestros®: Francisco Toledo Edition, Dobel Atelier, and Dobel 50® Cristalino: Onora Edition—each pairing exceptional tequila with collectible artistic design. Beyond the bottle, Dobel Tequila’s commitment to the arts extends to initiatives such as the Maestro Dobel Latinx Art Prize, created in partnership with El Museo del Barrio, amplifying the voices of historically underrepresented Latinx artists and reinforcing tequila’s role as a patron of contemporary culture.

Reserva de la Familia®, the crown jewel of the Cuervo family portfolio and a benchmark for tequila as collectible art, is also showcased in The Art of Tequila: Spirit of Mexico, focusing on the narrative of embodying the artistry of the liquid within. As the world’s first Extra Añejo tequila, this organically certified, small-batch artisan expression is distinguished not only by its meticulous craftsmanship, but by its pioneering limited-edition artist boxes—an annual collector’s item coveted worldwide. Since 1995, Reserva de la Familia® has collaborated with some of the most influential Mexican artists of their generation, inviting them to reinterpret each annual release and transform the box into a work of art.

These collaborations, documented in The Art of Tequila: Spirit of Mexico, embody the book’s central thesis: that tequila is not merely a spirit, but a living cultural canvas where centuries-old artisanal tradition meets contemporary artistic vision. Through vivid storytelling and visual depth, Suleman Anaya, a Brooklyn-based, Mexico City–born author and cultural critic, reveals how tequila continues to connect generations of artists and artisans, bridgi