In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, we’re celebrating several notable drinks pros of Hispanic heritage who are making an impact across the cocktails and spirits industry.
Of course, this isn’t even close to a comprehensive who’s who among the worlds of hospitality, distillation and more. Just as the Hispanic population across the country is robust and diverse, that’s true within the drinks field as well. According to the 2022 U.S. census, the U.S. Hispanic population reached 62.5 million in 2021, representing nearly 19% of the total population. That group includes people of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American or other Spanish culture or origin, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
For drinks spaces, that’s meant the introduction of offerings with incredible depth and complexity as Hispanic individuals incorporate ingredients, drink-making techniques and points of view from their respective homelands.
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While it’s always been important to honor Hispanic heritage in the drinks industry, says Lynnette Marrero, the chief mixologist at ready-to-drink spritz outfit Delola, the community is receiving more recognition than ever, including helming bar and restaurant projects.
“I think it is important to see the representation of the diaspora in the front-of-the-house sharing in the profits of our cultures being so popular,” Marrero says, noting the rise of spirits from Latin American countries and successful Latin-themed bar concepts around the world.
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This Article was originally published on Wine Enthusiast
