Victory tastes like Mexico: Eli Martínez is the new Altos Bartenders’ Bartender 2025!
This is the kind of news that uplifts not only the community of bartenders in Mexico but also around the world; it fills us with pride, inspires us to keep going, and reminds us why we do what we do. After all, when one of us shines, we all do.
On April 2, during the celebrations for North America’s 50 Best Bars, Eli Martínez, a bartender, activist, and guardian of ancestral knowledge about Mexican spirits, was granted the 2025 Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award. This is a historic achievement, as she is the first Mexican person to receive this award, which is the only one in which bartending peers vote exclusively.
The Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award is a unique award that pays homage to talent, commitment, passion, and the way in which Eli has made her bar a cultural landscape of conscious hospitality. It is a testament to her profound impact on our community, from Mexico City to Vancouver and beyond.
Eli Martínez honors her Mexican homeland.
For those who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Eli or enjoying a drink at her bar, here is some context: she is the co-founder and bar manager of Tlecān, a mezcalería located in the heart of Mexico City. It is more than just a mezcalería; it is a space where spirits tell their stories, honor the earth and its fruits, and offer a sensory and cultural narrative through cocktails.
Before founding Tlecān, Eli was the mastermind behind the drink strategy of the prestigious restaurant Pujol, which is currently ranked number 33 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024. In addition to her impressive trajectory, Eli has been recognized by her peers for her personality and deep understanding of hospitality as a political, affectionate, and transformative act.
From her bar, Eli passionately advocates for diversity, inclusivity, and social justice. She has become a strong voice in highlighting indigenous producers, women distillers, and traditional fermented drinks that deserve as much respect as the most awarded spirits. To her, pulque is not exotic, sotol isn’t strange, and tejuino isn’t unusual: they are living legacies that deserve a place among the best cocktails and in the hands of professional bartenders and guests eager to learn, understand, and respect them.
Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award: a recognition for genuine respect
The Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award is a distinctive recognition within the realm of the 50 Best Bars because it is voted on by peers from across the continent rather than being awarded by a jury. This means the award does not depend on public relations or trends; it is born out of genuine respect.
Receiving this award is a testament to how the community perceives you, admires you, and appreciates what you do for our profession. It recognizes technical skills, and the impact made inside and outside the bar. Eli’s influence certainly extends beyond the shaker.
As Emma Sleight, head of content for North America’s 50 Best Bars, says: “Eli isn’t just a bartender, she is a cultural curator, a mentor, and an agent of change that has created a space where every cocktail tells a story and connects guests with Mexican heritage through taste and tradition.”
The soul and roots of Tlecān
Tlecān isn’t just any bar; it is a sanctuary for agave spirits and the milpa, where ancestral mezcal lives alongside pulque, tepache, pozol, and tejuino. Every spirit has a face, a name, and a signature.
Eli and her team have achieved what many bartenders dream of: giving life to a menu that isn’t a mere list of drinks but a sensorial memory map. With ingredients ranging from productions of small communities in Oaxaca to spirits from women distillers in Durango, every ingredient has been intentionally, ethically, and lovingly selected.
Tlecān is also a refuge and a space that defies the deep-rooted machismo in the cantina culture, creating a safe and inclusive environment where women drink, lead, create, teach, and shine.
A call to the community of women bartenders
The Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award celebrates individuals in the drinking industry, irrespective of gender. Beyond personal recognition, it highlights the significance of female unity. Eli’s achievement is a powerful reflection of the increasing visibility, worth, and acknowledgment of female Mexican talent.
Eli embodies the principles of Altos Tequila: honoring artisanal craftsmanship, careful preparation, and a love for agave culture. A visit to Tlecān allows one to appreciate the intricate aromas and flavors that distinguish agave spirits.
Additionally, Eli demonstrates that it is possible to craft ethical, rich, and flavorful cocktails that encourage women to uplift one another, create networks, and exchange knowledge. It’s not necessary to chase foreign trends to stand out; honoring our authentic roots is more than sufficient to respect the bartender’s craft.
Ultimately, the most crucial step is to support one another and move past shallow competition. Building a strong community is what truly counts!
“This achievement represents us all”: Eli Martínez
Eli is deeply honored to receive this award, especially because it comes from her peers who share her passion and dedication; it means the world to her. She emphasizes that this achievement belongs to her entire team, to Tlecān, her mentors, and to every person who has been on this journey with her. “I feel grateful, proud, and excited to be the first Mexican to receive this award.”
From our bars, kitchens, and liquid trenches, we are proud to honor women like Eli, who boldly shape the history of cocktail-making. Congratulations, Eli! We recognize your victory as a triumph for us all.