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Overview
Sake began with a grain of rice. Scotch emerged from barley, tequila from agave, rum from sugarcane, bourbon from corn. Thirsty yet? In The Drunken Botanist, Amy Stewart explores the dizzying array of herbs, flowers, trees, fruits, and fungi that humans have, through ingenuity, inspiration, and sheer desperation, contrived to transform into alcohol over the centuries.
Of all the extraordinary and obscure plants that have been fermented and distilled, a few are dangerous, some are downright bizarre, and one is as ancient as dinosaurs—but each represents a unique cultural contribution to our global drinking traditions and our history.
This fascinating concoction of biology, chemistry, history, etymology, and mixology—with more than fifty drink recipes and growing tips for gardeners—will make you the most popular guest at any cocktail party.
Synopsis
The Essential, New York Times–Bestselling Guide to Botany and Booze
“A book that makes familiar drinks seem new again . . . Through this horticultural lens, a mixed drink becomes a cornucopia of plants.”—NPR's Morning Edition
“Amy Stewart has a way of making gardening seem exciting, even a little dangerous.” —The New York Times
Sake began with a grain of rice. Scotch emerged from barley, tequila from agave, rum from sugarcane, bourbon from corn. Thirsty yet? In The Drunken Botanist, Amy Stewart explores the dizzying array of herbs, flowers, trees, fruits, and fungi that humans have, through ingenuity, inspiration, and sheer desperation, contrived to transform into alcohol over the centuries.
Of all the extraordinary and obscure plants that have been fermented and distilled, a few are dangerous, some are downright bizarre, and one is as ancient as dinosaurs—but each represents a unique cultural contribution to our global drinking traditions and our history.
This fascinating concoction of biology, chemistry, history, etymology, and mixology—with more than fifty drink recipes and growing tips for gardeners—will make you the most popular guest at any cocktail party.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
At closing time, it's likely that imbibers are thinking of other things, but it might be appropriate if they raised a toast to all the plants that made their intoxication possible. It might surprise you that there are more than just a few: In fact, Amy Stewart's thoroughly captivating The Drunken Botanist identifies no fewer than 150 plants, flowers, trees, fruits, and fungi that infuse alcoholic drinks with their flavor. Heaped high with fascinating facts about botany science and chemistry, this trade paperback and NOOK Book original also contains fifty drink recipes and growing tips for gardeners.
The Washington Post -
The Drunken Botanist is a strange brew—part Ripley's Believe It or Not, part compendium on the order of Schott's Original Miscellany and part botanical garden tour, albeit with a curated cocktail party at the end…What Stewart's book lacks in narrative spine…it makes up in easygoing charm, sly wit and an eye for the telling anecdote…The Drunken Botanist is a sipping book, not a quaffing book, best enjoyed in moderation. In front of a fire, perhaps with a Manhattan with a real, not chemically shined, maraschino cherry. Or maybe on a serendipitous spring evening, on the porch swing, with a sweet-scented jar of May wine.Liquor.com
"This wide-ranging mix of alcohol and plant trivia, drink recipes, and scientific research deserves a place on every home bar bookshelf for its conversational value alone . . . There are enough 'did you know?' moments in this book to fill a lifetime of conversational pauses."--Buffalo Spree
"All drinkers should have The New York Times bestselling author Amy Stewart's The Drunken Botanist in their library . . . Its fascinating tidbits make perfect happy-hour conversation fodder."--Liquor.com
"A conversational tone and easy narrative manner is a disarming tactic, one where as soon as you expect a dumbed-down explanation comes the most extraordinary detail. Helpful graphic elements, box-outs and miniature fact-boxes help make sure you never get bogged down in the text but can dip in and out - and you will, again and again . . . book drink geeks would be crazy not to buy."--Class Magazine
"With more than 50 drink recipes, and growing tips, this highly entertaining book will please both cocktail enthusiasts and backyard gardeners. The inclusion of rich history throughout will delight armchair historians and the naturally curious. Highly recommended."--Library Journal, starred review
"Gardeners, nature lovers and mixologists will find themselves reaching frequently for this volume . . . A rich compendium of botanical lore for cocktail lovers."--Kirkus Reviews
Review
"If you're getting into cocktails and looking to expand your understanding of spirits, wine, beer, and mixed drinks, reading Stewarts book is a great way to do it. You'll come away with a knowledge of what exactly is in your glass and you'll be able to understand how those elements play together to form the flavors and aromas you'll encounter in a well-made drink ... a cover-to-cover read."--Serious Eats
"This wide-ranging mix of alcohol and plant trivia, drink recipes, and scientific research deserves a place on every home bar bookshelf for its conversational value alone . . . There are enough 'did you know?' moments in this book to fill a lifetime of conversational pauses."--Buffalo Spree
"All drinkers should have The New York Times bestselling author Amy Stewart's The Drunken Botanist in their library . . . Its fascinating tidbits make perfect happy-hour conversation fodder."--Liquor.com
"Book drink geeks would be crazy not to buy."--Class Magazine
"With more than 50 drink recipes, and growing tips, this highly entertaining book will please both cocktail enthusiasts and backyard gardeners. The inclusion of rich history throughout will delight armchair historians and the naturally curious. Highly recommended."--Library Journal, starred review
"Gardeners, nature lovers and mixologists will find themselves reaching frequently for this volume . . . A rich compendium of botanical lore for cocktail lovers."--Kirkus Reviews