“It’s clear as soon as you crack the cover that Ivy Mix long ago left her heart somewhere beneath the Tropic of Cancer. Her passion for the remarkably diverse spirits, peoples, and lands radiates from each page, and her book (and bar, Leyenda) are a testament to her desire to share them with us. Like the first sip of an ice-cold cocktail on a warm San Juan night, this book refreshes and delights.”—Martin Cate, author and owner of Smuggler’s Cove, San Francisco
“Smartly written and beautifully photographed, Spirits of Latin America is a necessary addition to any thoughtful spirit lover’s library. Ivy Mix goes far beyond technical insight and gets to the heart of what actually makes these spirits so special: the people who make them, the cultures from which they were born, and the lands that contribute so much to their personality. We’re brought not just on a journey into her deep passion for agave, sugarcane, and grape spirits but are allowed to ride shotgun as Ivy explores the nuance of each, brings to life the voices of those who put their soul into every drop, and cultivates an appreciation for the deep heritage and tradition that are entwined with their stories.”—Alex Day, co-author of Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, Evolutions and Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails
“In this book, Ivy Mix reveals the roots of her inspiration: Latin American spirits, and her personal experience of the culture behind them. This book plumbs the depths—and provides a vivid portrait—of the spirits that have inspired cocktails that have taken the world by storm. You will not only get a first-class ticket to the places that have given birth to Latin American drink culture but exciting and easy to execute recipes that will appeal to home cocktail enthusiast and seasoned bar pro alike—Saludos!”—Shannon Mustipher, beverage director of Glady’s Caribbean, Brooklyn, and author of Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails
“With Spirits of Latin America, Ivy Mix has thrown open the doors to one of the most shadowy, but also most interesting, sections of the liquor cabinet. I can’t read more than a couple of pages of this engaging, informative book without getting thirsty; and the more I read, the thirstier I get.”—David Wondrich, author of Imbibe! and Punch
“Ivy’s unique combination of taste, talent, and tenacity make her the ideal ‘spirit’ guide, and her subject has long deserved this close and careful attention. My advice: listen, learn, and drink up.”—Steven Soderbergh, filmmaker, professional drinker, and owner of Singani 63
