Published by the Associated Press and Pulitzer Centre

Mezcal production in Mexico is booming, driven by rising demand for the increasingly popular spirit in the United States. This surge has created new opportunities for producers in Oaxaca, but it has also brought significant environmental costs.

This multimedia project, produced for the Associated Press with support from the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, explores that transformation. Over several months, I traced mezcal’s evolution from a working-class drink to a globally coveted commodity, examining how rising demand is reshaping both the industry and the landscape.

Traveling through the mountains of Oaxaca, I spoke with producers, environmentalists, and enthusiasts to better understand the forces driving the boom. Through on-the-ground reporting and photography, the project documents the environmental strain that large-scale mezcal production is placing on the region’s land and resources.

The story was published in more than 50 news outlets worldwide, and gained the AP Best of the Week recognition.