What's the best companion to a round of drinks with friends? A round of bad-ass drinking game fun, of course. Kit includes an 8-page book, a shot glass, a set of standard dice, "dirty" dice, and a deck of 48 cards, each containing one drinking game from the most innocent to the rousing and risque, such as "Tip the Bartender," "Chug-A-Lug," and "Beer-amid." This is sure to add excitement to an otherwise run-of-the-mill bar night.

Some stories suggest that mead was originally discovered when one of our not-yet-upright forebears stuck their hand in a fermenting bee hive and came away with a honeycomb containing a little more than they bargained for. Whatever the truth, brewers have brought this beverage into the twenty-first century, and you can rest assured that "The Complete Guide to Making Mead" is a thoroughly up-to-date, modern, and authoritative guide to homemade mead. Best of all, it has something for everyone, from the stone-cold beginner to the seasoned veteran. Award-winning mead-maker Steve Piatz begins with a brief history of the fermented beverage; a rundown of the various types of mead; and a discussion of the many types of honey that are available, their characteristics, and where to source them. Readers will be treated to discussions of yeast and special ingredients, as well as what equipment is necessary and reccomended and an illustrated and detailed look at the basic process. Readers will also discover advanced techniques, such as oaking, clarifying, aging, spicing, and blending. There are even sections on developing recipes and troubleshooting problems with the brewing process.With more than 100 color photos, "The Complete Guide to Making Mead" includes dozens of recipes for basic meads (honey only), melomels (honey and fruit), metheglins (honey and spices), and braggots (honey and malt).

Botany for Bartenders"Cocktails, Mocktails and Garnishes from the Garden is perfect for stirring things up and taking your drinks to a new level." -The Two Classy Chics #1 New release in Garnishing Meals, and Food Science Step inside a bartender's apothecary, forage for garnishes, and craft some of the most popular cocktails, mocktails, and beverages. This beautifully photographed compendium of craft cocktails includes examples of garnishes and interesting ingredients to give any drink a botanical twist. The go-to reference for classic and modern cocktail recipes. Whether it's adding a basil sprig or infusing gin with peaches; Cocktails, Mocktails and Garnishes from the Garden gives you the ability to make classic cocktails and the confidence to craft innovative concoctions. Alongside recipes of some of the most popular cocktails come new-fangled libations, non-alcoholic equivalents, and instructions to create gorgeous garnishes. Creating your very own herb bar and garnish garden for craft cocktails. A cocktail recipe book from the wild; Cocktails, Mocktails and Garnishes from the Garden features examples of garnishes and general know-how. With a reference guide of herbal and floral flavors that complement different spirits, and details about what to plant and how to grow your very own herb bar, you can craft cocktail recipes alongside nature. Inside, learn about herbs and their uses as well as: General instructions on creating a garnish garden The difference between a high ball and a coupe glass Which bar tools are "must haves" for a home cocktail set-up If you enjoyed books like The Drunken Botanist, The Wildcrafting Brewer, Shrubs, or Beautiful Booze, then you'll love Cocktails, Mocktails and Garnishes from the Garden.

Wine Folly introduced a whole new audience to the world of wine, making it easy for complete beginners to understand the fundamentals thanks to their straightforward advice, simple explanatory graphics and practical wine-tasting tips.

Now they are back with plenty more eye-catching visuals and easy-to-grasp advice that the brand has become known for. Wine Folly Deluxe comes complete with a fresh look, twice as much information on regions, and a profusion of new and alternative wine styles.

With its simple and practical answers to all your wine questions and curiosities - red or white? Light or bold? Spanish or Portuguese? - it's the perfect guide for anyone looking to expand their expertise and an ideal gift for the oenophile in your life.

The pub has been at the heart of English life for generations. But how has this unique institution developed over the centuries? Paul Jennings traces the history of the English pub, looking at how it evolved from the coaching inn and the humble alehouse, through back-street beerhouses and 'fine, flaring' gin palaces to the drinking establishments of the twenty-first centuries. Covering all aspects of pub life, this fascinating history examines pubs in town and country. It identifies key trends and discusses architecture and interior design. It looks at customers and their varied activities in pubs and at the men and women who ran them. The story of the pub is set throughout the wider context of social change. The Local is a must-read for the pub-goer and anyone interested in the history of the English people.

A luxury volume on the world's most elegant beverage--by world renowned champagne expert Richard Juhlin, with an introduction by Edouard Cointreau Champagne may be the most misunderstood category of wine in the world, as many labels of sparkling wines bear the name in error. True champagne comes only from the French province of Champagne and contains three specific grape varieties. But figuring out more about the wine can be confusing: what is the difference between cuvee de prestige, blanc de noirs, and rose? What is the best kind of food to pair with champagne? How many different kinds of sweetness are there? What is the best method of storage? Richard Juhlin, the world's foremost champagne expert, answers these questions and more as he takes the reader on a journey to the geographical area of Champagne and through the history of the drink. He explains how to arrange tastings and develop one's sense of smell, and why the setting where you drink champagne is important, including personal anecdotes about his lifelong journey from PE teacher to connoisseur. Also included is a catalog section that describes and ranks different champagne houses, types, and vintages. Sit back and enjoy Juhlin's graceful prose with a lovely glass of champagne, the sparkling wine that has come to epitomize luxury and elegance.

Bourbon is America's favourite spirit and has been for more than a decade. Eric Zandona - spirits specialist at the American Distilling Institute - explores the history, craft and rich flavour of this distinctive spirit. The Little Book of Bourbon, the perfect drinker's companion; delves into this wonderful world and offers everything you need to know at a glance about Bourbon - from how it is made, how to drink it like a pro and the key things you need to understand when buying a bottle. The Little Book of Bourbon also features 20 classic cocktail recipes, from an Old Fashioned to a Manhattan or Whiskey Sour.

This is the drinker's guide to every aspect of whisky, from Scotch to Japanese, rye to bourbon and beyond. With hundreds of entries covering everything from history, ingredients and distilling techniques to flavour notes, cocktails and the many varieties of whisky from all around the world, renowned whisky expert Ian Wisniewski explores and unlocks the wonderful world of a drink like no other. Entries include... Ageing Process Bourbon Craft Movement Fermentation Flavour Compounds Irish Whiskey Japanese Whiskey Master Distiller Old Fashioned Organic Whisky Prohibition Tasting Techniques Wine Casks ...and many more.

"Pairing Wine with Asian Food" is a useful guide exploring the principles behind matching Asian food with the right wine. Oenologist Edwin Soon explores problem ingredients in the Asian kitchen and details wine and food combinations to avoid as well as "marriages made in heaven." The major cuisines of Asia are covered, highlighting the most common dishes such as dim sum, seafood, curries and Asian street foods, as well as featuring restaurant safe bets. From Chinese banquets to Thai street food, this straightforward guide will ensure that readers will pick the right wine next time they dine Asian.

Entertain in style with Ladies Who Drink, a gloriously glamorous excursion into the world of cocktails. Within these pages, recipes for updated classics like the mojito, cosmopolitan, and old fashioned meet modern concoctions like the strawberry basil margarita, lime shandy, and spicy michelada. This engaging and user-friendly guide is gorgeously illustrated by Anne Keenan Higgins, who brings each cocktail and setting to life with a whimsical array of sipping ladies dressed in to-die-for original fashions. Picture it: a woman in a chartreuse dress drinking a Daiquiri while reading Hemingway's To Have and Have Not; or a woman with a Manhattan in hand wearing a cherry styled fascinator against the backdrop of the New York City skyline. Broken down by occasions like game day, book club, or barbeque, as well as moods like April in Paris, seaside sunset, or Mardi Gras, Ladies Who Drink is filled light-bite food pairing recipes and entertaining ideas perfect for just about any occasion.

As the world's most popular beverage, tea has fascinated us, awakened us, motivated us, and calmed us for well over two thousand years. A History of Tea tells the compelling story of the rise of tea in Asia and its eventual spread to the West and beyond. From the Chinese tea houses of the ancient Tang Dynasty (618-907) to the Japanese tea ceremonies developed by Zen Buddhist monks, and the current social issues faced by tea growers in India and Sri Lanka--this fascinating book explores the complex history of this universal drink. This in-depth look illuminates the industries and traditions that have developed as tea spread throughout the world and it explains how tea is transformed into the many varieties that people drink each day. It also features a quick reference guide on subjects such as tea types, proper terminology and brewing. Whatever your cup of tea--green, black, white, oolong, chai, Japanese, Chinese, Sri Lankan, American or British--every tea aficionado will enjoy reading A History of Tea to learn more about their favorite beverage.

Tea is arguably the most popular beverage in the world, but there s more to know beyond the colorful boxes sold at your local grocery store. Like wine and beer, each tea variety has its own distinct history, source, and flavor profile, from Darjeeling to matcha to Silver Needle. Tea is also embedded in the traditions of many cultures around the world and is shared with others through distinctive ceremonies that include unique customs, foods, and accessories. Within the pages of this pocket-sized guide, you ll find information, how-tos, and trivia for tea lovers of all levels. Experts and newbies alike will learn about: Tea Bags vs. Loose Leaf How to Prepare Tea Tea Families and Common Varieties Tea Traditions around the World How to Host an Afternoon Tea for Adults How to Throw a Tea Party for Children And more! Series Overview: Each volume in the Stuff series tells you everything you should know to navigate life s key topics, trends, and milestones. From telling jokes, cooking vegetarian, or tending a garden to getting through college, planning a wedding, or becoming a grandparent, you ll find all the answers in this concise but comprehensive pocket-sized package.

There is no other wine that is as versatile, as utterly unique in its range and production methods--and, unfortunately, as misunderstood--as sherry. For centuries, sherry was considered one of the world's great wines, spoken about in the same reverential terms as the finest Bordeaux and Burgundies. But in the last few decades, sherry lost its way--and cheap, cloyingly sweet blends sullied the reputation of what remains one of Spain's oldest and greatest winemaking traditions.
Thankfully, sherry is in the midst of a renaissance. Beloved of sommeliers and bartenders in the craft cocktail community, today sherry is being re-discovered and re-appreciated as an incredible table wine "and "essential component of many classic cocktails.
"Sherry "is essential reading for wine or spirits professionals looking to incorporate this complex wine into their menu, and for adventurous drink enthusiasts who are on the hunt for something unexpected. With a comprehensive yet accessible overview of the different styles of sherry, how they are made, and the people and places that produce it, "Sherry "demystifies what can be a confusing (and seemingly contradictory) wine. A thorough buyer's guide lists top producers and profiles the very best bodegas and wines.
Finally, a whole chapter on sherry-based cocktails illuminates a completely different side of sherry, featuring classic recipes like the Tuxedo and Sherry Cobbler, as well as modern creations from the country's top bartenders (Jim Meehan's East India Negroni, Derek Brown's Kojo Cocktail). More than a dozen recipes for tapas and other delicious foods--best eaten alongside a glass of sherry, of course--round out this wonderfully eclectic, engaging, and inspiring collection.

Dive deep into the world of cocktail lore, classic recipes, and hard-won wisdom in Cocktail Dive Bar: Real Drinks, Fake History, and Questionable Advice from New Orleans' Twelve Mile Limit. In this irreverent and engaging guide T. Cole Newton, the owner and proprietor of the beloved Louisiana bar Twelve Mile Limit, brings classic and original cocktail recipes to life with a combination of colorful invented histories and real stories, alongside advice drawn from his experience as a young bar owner in the Crescent City. Lively tongue-in-cheek mini-essays on a range of topics (including such illuminating takes as why the unflappable Maury Povich is the ideal role model for the service industry and how bar owners can work to be community allies) break up this alphabetical compendium of cocktail recipes. Make the book your own by taking recipe notes or coloring in the playful, graphic drawings by Bazil Zarensky and Laura Sanders. A detailed index of ingredients, infusion recipes, and more makes this an ideal companion for any at-home mixologist or industry professional.

What can we expect from the best whiskey producers in America today? Whiskey America showcases some of the most exciting new styles of whiskey and why they are so special. With fascinating interviews with some of the leading characters in the recent distilling revolution, this absorbing book relates the stories of how successful lawyers, doctors and city slickers made the life-changing decision to turn their backs on conventional careers to pursue the 'good life' of making spirits in the most far-flung outreaches of America. And thank goodness they did, because this new generation of distillers not only customized conventional whiskey styles but also invented new ones never seen before. Whiskey America investigates how best to enjoy the new whiskies - in cocktails, with food, mixed or straight - and looks forward to where these exciting American spirits are going next.

Bill Smith's introduction to winemaking happened when he worked in California, where he visited wineries in the Napa Valley. Back in England, he became a keen amateur winemaker. Adapting his skills as a research scientist in anaerobic fermentation to winemaking, the author soon became a prize-winner at shows, furthering his interest in the hobby by becoming a National Wine Judge He wrote this book for winemakers at all levels; all aspects of home winemaking are discussed from the basic equipment to the Wine Clubs that are the backbone of this widespread hobby. It gives the author's own views on methods that will improve on standard winemaking techniques and concludes with a selection of over fifty recipes from him and his winemaking friends.

"Brew It Yourself" outlines the key methodologies for the two most common home brewing techniques: extract and all-grain brewing. Erik Spellmeyer provides professional advice on how to get started, introducing readers to the industry jargon and terminology, while giving clear instruction on the formalities of home brewing. The guide then encourages the reader to take what they learned and use that knowledge to create their own recipes and experiment on their ideas. Equipped with illustrations, images, a glossary, photographs, and step-by-step assembly instructions for building your own equipment, this is an all-in-one guide to getting started, no matter what your brewing knowledge.

"Associations and societies such as the Bordeaux Club are the very acme of civilization. Botticelli and Bach were engaged in the eternal quest for truth and beauty in painting and music, and the Bordeaux Club did the same for viniculture." - Andrew Roberts The story of 12 friends who gathered to share and celebrate the extraordinary wines of Bordeaux. Like-minded in their love of wine, they differed wildly (often alarmingly!) in their personal wealth, life and circumstances - their opinions, always voiced, had the power to ignite anger and divide friendships just as easily as they bound them together. Neil McKendrick, member and minute-taker for 57 of the Club's 70 extraordinary years, weaves the tale of this convivial group with the rigour of a Cambridge academic (he is ex-Master of Gonville and Caius) and the humour of a born raconteur. Alongside the likes of Hugh Johnson, Steven Spurrier and Michael Broadbent, he celebrates the beauty of top-class Bordeaux and the splendour of each setting - from glorious country park to rickety Dickensian boardroom - in which these men were lucky enough to dine, serving up memories of vintages the like of which we will never see again.