Spirited Babble

Imbibers’ Summer Reading

 Imbibers’ Summer Reading

Cocktail Books LibrayIt’s summer, the workload lighter and the chance to have an afternoon off to relax with a book is significantly higher. Alcohol is a tasty subject and here are five books that serve up a dash of drink history. They are fun, interesting and will take you from the pirates of the Caribbean Islands to the notorious prohibition era. Mix yourself a drink and escape into the sizzling history of alcohol.


Book 1

The Cocktail – The Influences Of Spirits On The American Psyche

Combining history, recipes, ruminations, and a few nods to the occult, the author exposes the cocktail as a ritual, a religious ceremony that satisfies the modern mind and soul. With the current resurgence of the cocktail, Lanza’s spirited celebration of those who inspired it will remind us why ‘Cocktail Time’ was considered Heaven on Earth. By Joseph Lanza 1995 – Picador USA publisher – 168 pages.


 

Book 2

A History Of The World In 6 Glasses

The book opens a window to the past with this original and illuminating vision of world history through the lens of six beverages: beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola, that have had a powerful influence on a surprising range of human history. The author makes fascinating forays into the byways of western culture: Why were the ancient Egyptians buried with beer? How did wine help spread ancient Greek culture abroad? How did rum grog help the British navy defeat Napoléon? and how Coca-Cola become the poster product for globalization before the term was even coined? After reading this clever and enlightening book, you may never look at your favourite drink the same way again. By Tom Standage 2005 – Anchor Canada – 311 pages.


 

Book 3

The Martini

With its crystalline perfection, the Martini was, and still is, more than just a cocktail. This book celebrates the drink’s renaissance with a colourful look at this intoxicating symbol of the American Dream. Along with the fascinating text is an array of over 150 colour and black-and-white images from movies, cartoons, advertisements, restaurants, and contemporary art. All you ever wanted to know about this iconic drink and how deeply this cocktail permeates every aspect of American culture from literature to politics and high society. By Barnaby Conrad III  1995 – Chronicle Books – 132 pages.


 

Book 4

Rum – The Epic Story Of The Drink That Conquered The World

The very mention of the word rum summons romantic visions of high spirits, adventure, skullduggery, and pirates roaming the seven seas. Americans jitter-bugged to ‘Rum and Coca-Cola” in the forties; modern Manhattanites down the latest Bacardi cocktail in the city’s trendiest bars today. The book goes on to divulge the little-known but lively role rum played in the American Revolution. Here is the uncorked truth about the beverage that altered world history, from colonialism to post-colonialism, slavery to liberation, Victorian anti-drinking campaigns to unprecedented popularity today. By Charles A. Coulombe 2004 – Citadel Press – 296 pages.


 

Book 5

Drink – A Social History Of America

An incisive, witty history of the American people and their turbulent affair with alcohol. With rum and muskets the American colonist declared their independence. In this shrewd cultural history of drink in America, Andrew Barr considers the significance of alcohol historically and socially in the evolution of a nation born of a rebel spirit which the colonists preferred to their royally taxed British tea. It examines the social influences that determine what, where, and why we choose to drink. By Andrew Barr 1999 – Bantam Publisher – 400 pages  (excluding references).

All the books are available on Amazon.com

Cheers!

Read More

Cachaça Brazil’s National Spirit

Cachaça (pronounced ka-sha-sah) is a Brazilian spirit. Cachaça is distilled from fermented juice of fresh sugar cane. It is the third most widely consumed spirit in the world, and over 1.5 billion liters of Cachaça are produced each year, mainly for domestic consumption. The drink is thought to have originated from Portuguese settlers around the […]

Read More

Vana Tallinn Liqueur – It’s Estonian!

Vana Tallinn Rum-Based Liqueur (originally posted in 2015) A while back doing research, I read about this premium liqueur Vana Tallinn. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to taste it at a liquor industry product tasting event. I really liked it at my first sip, I found it flavourful, smooth, well-balanced, and elegant. […]

Read More

Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions Vodka

Introducing Zero Sugar, One-Hundred Percent Flavour Vodka Oooh… How Sweet Is That! The Makers of the World’s No.1 Vodka Launch Three Delicious Flavor Variants – Cucumber & Lime, Watermelon & Mint and Strawberry & Rose Zero sugar, one-hundred percent flavour – Oooh…How sweet is that! The new line from Smirnoff comes just in time for […]

Read More

Jaan Paan Liqueur

The Exotic Jaan Liqueur Updated May 2019 Jaan \ˈjän\ – It is an Hindi/Urdu word with many meanings, the most common being life and love. This exotic liqueur offers the mystic flavours and aromas of Paan which has been enjoyed in the East for thousands of years. Paan is a betel leaf wrap containing various exotic […]

Read More

How To Make Simple Syrup

How To Make Simple Syrup Simple syrup is simply a mixture of granulated sugar and water. It is a must in any well-stocked bar. Granulated sugar will not dissolve easily in alcohol but simple syrup will. It is used for drinks that require a sweetener ingredient,  such as a Daiquiri.    You use simple syrup […]

Read More

Game Of Thrones Cocktails

Updated for season 8 finale The wait is over the popular HBO tv series Game Of Thrones season 4 starts tonight. Want to throw a theme party and need original Game Of Thrones cocktails? Fear not, we are here to help with ideas and inspiration. Top 5 Games Of Thrones Cocktails 1. King Of The […]

Read More

El Presidente: A Dash of Cocktail History

The Story of  The El Presidente Cocktail The El Presidente is a classic Cuban cocktail. The exact origin is unknown, but according to Esquire magazine, El Presidente was created by Eddie Woelke, an American bartender at the Jockey Club in Havana, Cuba. He named the drink in honour of the Presidente Gerardo Machado who ruled […]

Read More

Bailey’s Family Of Flavours

  Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur Family Of Flavours Bailey’s Irish Cream is one of the best selling liqueurs in the world. Bailey’s Original was created by Gilbeys company from Ireland, and now the brand is owned by Diageo. Bailey’s was introduced in 1974 as the first Irish Cream on the market. Bailey’s is the combination […]

Read More

How To Make A Bow Tie Garnish

How To Make A Bow Tie Garnish The garnish is an integral component of a cocktail.  Garnishes that a bartender makes quite frequently when mixing drinks are fruit wedges, slices, twists, and fruit sticks. Get creative! For example, dress up your cocktail with a bow tie. It is easy to make and doesn’t require special […]

Read More
Page 5 of 12« First...34567...10...Last »