THE PERFECT GIFT FOR ANYONE WHO ENJOYS A TIPPLE . . . OR TWO . . . OR TEN! Almost every culture on earth has drink, and where there's drink there's drunkenness. But in every age and in every place drunkenness is a little bit different. Tracing humankind's love affair with booze from our primate ancestors through to Prohibition, it answers every possible question: What did people drink? How much? Who did the drinking? Of the many possible reasons, why? On the way, learn about the Neolithic Shamans, who drank to communicate with the spirit world (no pun intended), marvel at how Greeks got giddy and Romans got rat-arsed, and find out how bars in the Wild West were never like the movies. This is a history of the world at its inebriated best. 'This book is a laugh riot. I mean the way the author has presented it is hilarious and to the point' Goodreads Reviewer 'Highly entertaining. Cheers! Bottoms up! Good health!' Goodreads Reviewer 'It can make a good gift for someone with a sense of humour and appreciation for the magical powers of alcohol' Goodreads Reviewer

There is no right or wrong way to drink bourbon-in a cocktail, straight up, on the rocks, or with a splash of soda. You will never know which is your way until you try them all, and How to Be a Bourbon Badass will guide you on the path of your own bourbon adventure. How to Be a Bourbon Badass, captures the storied history of America's native spirit, explains the process of making liquid gold, and offers top-notch cocktail, dinner, and dessert recipes for the novice and connoisseur alike. From tales of legendary master distillers to stories of how lives were changed through newfound bourbon badass confidence, and from recipes for classics like the bourbon highball to fresh twists like strawberry bourbon lemonade with rosemary. Ruffenach shares behind-the-scenes tales from bourbon industry experts and rock stars. Your journey to becoming a bourbon badass begins here!

There is a gold rush underway in Virginia. But the treasure under pursuit is not a precious metal. Rather, it is the grape. From Leesburg in the north down to Roanoke in the south, dot-com millionaires, celebrities, retired civil servants, and apple farmers are turning fallow pastures and orchards into row after row of European fine wine grapes.

The work you are about to read is far more than a cookbook. Eat, Drink, and Be Kinky will have a broad, engaging appeal not only to serious gourmands but also to alcoholics and sex perverts as well. In fact, I think of this book as sort of a culinary version of James Joyce's Ulysses. McGovern's masterwork, to my mind, compares quite favorably with Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. For one thing, it's shorter.
From the Introduction by Kinky Friedman

Written by Mike McGovern, one of the Kinkster's legendary Village Irregulars, Eat, Drink, and Be Kinky is a feast of wit, wisdom, and some damn good recipes as featured in, drawn from, and inspired by the novels of Kinky Friedman, private dick extraordinaire and culinary mastermind.

When Richard Kinky "Big Dick" Friedman was only a little Kinky, growing into his Texas jeans and ten-gallon hat, he had two choices at mealtime -- take it or leave it. But the years have been kind to the Kinkster, and thanks to a successful career first as a singer/songwriter and more recently a bestselling author, Kinky has become a connoisseur of good wine, good food, and the best cigars (that he still prefers bad women just goes to show that some things never change).

With a choice from a full menu of everything from appetizers and soups to desserts and libations, the reader is invited to indulge in the best of Kinky cuisine, including:

Downtown Judy's Tortilla Soup with Chili Puree
Fried-Egg Sandwich a Go-Go
Saddle Up Burritos
Teri and Chinga Chavin's Ol' Ben Lucas Swordfish Stew
Son of Chicken McGovern
Steve Rambam's Jailhouse Chili
Frankie Lasagna
Beer Bread
Jack Daniel's Tiramisu
Crunchy Coconut Banana Cake

The book also features the world according to Kinky -- selections of wit and wisdom from all twelve of his novels on everything from life and death, love and sex, religion and God, food and wine, and the state of the onion.

Whether you're a fan of Kinky's music, a devotee of his novels, or just a lover of good cookin' and good eatin', Eat, Drink, and Be Kinky wilt be sure to satisfy your appetite.

With fantastical narratives, home-brewing instructions, and original craft cocktail recipes, Mead is the ultimate exploration of the resurgent alcoholic beverage that is nearly as old as time itself. Beloved by figures as diverse as Queen Elizabeth and Thor, the Vikings and the Greek gods, mead is one of history's most storied beverages. But this mixture of fermented honey isn't just a relic of bygone eras -- it's experiencing a cultural renaissance, taking pride of place in trendy cocktail bars and craft breweries across the country. Equal parts quirky historical narrative, DIY manual, and cocktail guide, Mead is a spirited look at the drink that's been with us even longer than wine. Mead gives readers a fascinating introduction to the rich story of this beloved beverage -- from its humble beginnings to its newfound popularity, along with its vital importance in seven historic kingdoms: Greece, Rome, the Vikings, Poland, Ethiopia, England, and Russia. Pairing a quirky, historical narrative with real practical advice, beverage expert Fred Minnick guides readers through making 25 different types of mead, as well as more than 50 cocktails, with recipes from some of the country's most sought-after mixologists.

The craft of making moonshine-an unaged white whiskey, often made and consumed outside legal parameters-nearly went extinct in the late twentieth century as law enforcement cracked down on illicit producers, and cheaper, lawful alcohol became readily available. Yet the twenty-first century has witnessed a resurgence of artisanal distilling, as both connoisseurs and those reconnecting with their heritage have created a vibrant new culture of moonshine. While not limited to Appalachia, moonshine is often entwined with the region in popular understandings. The first interdisciplinary examination of the legal moonshine industry, Modern Moonshine probes the causes and impact of the so-called moonshine revival. What does the moonshine revival tell us about our national culture? How does it shape the image of Appalachia and rural America? Focusing mostly on southern Appalachia, the book's eleven essays chronicle such popular figures as Popcorn Sutton and explore how and why distillers promote their product as "traditional" and "authentic." This edited collection draws from scholars across the disciplines of anthropology, history, geography, and sociology to make sense of the legal, social, and historical shifts behind contemporary production and consumption of moonshine, and offers a fresh perspective on an enduring topic of Appalachian myth and reality.

The epitome of effervescence and centrepiece of celebration, Champagne has become a universal emblem of good fortune, and few can resist its sparkleIn Champagne, Uncorked , Alan Tardi journeys into the heartland of the world's most beloved wine. Anchored by the year he spent inside the prestigious and secretive Krug winery in Reims, the story follows the creation of the superlative Krug Grande Cuvee.Tardi also investigates the evocative history, quirky origins, and cultural significance of Champagne. He reveals how it became the essential celebratory toast ( merci Napoleon Bonaparte!), and introduces a cast of colourful characters, including Eugene Mercier, who in 1889 transported his Cathedral of Champagne," the largest wine cask in the world, to Paris by a team of white horses and oxen, and Joseph Krug, the reserved son of a German butcher who wound up in France, fell head over heels for Champagne, and risked everything to start up his own eponymous house.In the vineyards of Champagne, Tardi discovers how finicky grapes in an unstable climate can lead to a nerve-racking season for growers and winemakers alike. And he ventures deep into the caves , where the delicate and painstaking alchemy of blending takes place,all of which culminates in the glass we raise to toast life's finer moments.

Behind Every Great Rum Is a Powerful Woman"An essential book, which shows that women are taking an increasingly important place in the world of rum, that they can be very talented producers, but that there is still a lot to do in terms of gender equality." -Rum Porter Once known as a sailor's drink, rum has matured into a refined spirit. In some Caribbean countries, rum is offered as a libation to the gods. In others, it is aged and savored on the rocks. But in the most magical places, rum is distilled by women. Inside Rum Rebels, you'll find personal anecdotes from master blenders, fabulous recipes for artisan rum cocktails, and the inside scoop on the magic behind Appleton, Zacapa, Cachaca Maria Izabel, Brugal, and more. The art of cocktails, rum, and women. A pirate staple, rum has been the drink of rebels since the Old World. Now, there's a new generation of rebels-the business women curating the taste of today's best rum companies. Part rum cocktail book, part ode to feminism, Rum Rebels is a story of female empowerment in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Looking at more than a dozen rum distilleries, each chapter of Rum Rebels profiles women in leadership, their rum, and the perfect cocktail pairing. Learn how rum is made. Alongside women leaders and pioneers, this worldwide master class explores everything from palates to aging, providing first-hand stories from today's leading rum distilleries. Whether a beginner or a seasoned rum enthusiast, Rum Rebels is the perfect read for anyone curious about the craft of rum distilling, artisan cocktails, or female leaders in history. Grab a copy to learn how: At Appleton, Joy Spence becomes the first female master blender At Zacapa, Lorena Vasquez adorns her bottles with hand crafted palm leaves by Guatemalan women And more If you're looking for rum cocktail books, women leadership books, women entrepreneur books, or women of color gifts-like the Smugglers Cove cocktail book, Women's Libation cocktail book, And a Bottle of Rum book, or Drinking Like Ladies-you'll love Rum Rebels.

Learn how to plan, pack, and whip up great drinks in the great outdoors. Cabin trips, hikes, patio parties, camping adventures-however you enjoy the great outdoors, it should be fun and easy. And so should the drinks! Simplicity, though, doesn't mean you're limited to a bottle and a mixer. With Camp Cocktails, you'll have a variety of options for simple and tasty drinks that are ready to go wherever you go. Cool off after a hot day spent hiking through the woods with a Flask Boulevardier or the Northwoods Sidecar. Break in the campsite with a Grilled Orange Cobbler or the ultimate beer-based cocktail. Bundling up around the fire? Warm up with the Salted Nutella Hot Chocolate, the Penicillin Toddy, or a spiked hot apple cider. Every recipe comes with easy-to-follow instructions, and many feature expert bartender tips and hacks. A variety of occasions are all here, from stargazing to boating. And to round it all out, there's a whole chapter dedicated to foraging/found ingredients, and integrating nature into your favorite cocktails.

You're probably tired of asking the same old question, "What should we make for dessert?" The answer is simple--cocktails! In Liquid Dessert, professional bartender and mixologist Bryan Paiement invites you to join him on a trip around the world to discover cocktails inspired by the best desserts on the planet. Liquid Dessert is not your average cocktail or dessert book but a unique combination of the two. Traditional desserts, though delicious, can be heavy and overwhelming after a big meal. Or you may be wavering on whether or not to have another beverage or dessert--now it doesn't have to be one or the other! From cocktails-inspired favorites like Bananas Foster or Cannoli, whether you're a fan of rich, decadent chocolate or you have more of a citrusy-tart palate, the simple-to-follow recipes in Liquid Dessert have you covered, no matter your craving.

Taste real magic. Drawing on her eclectic craft, harnessing influences from Wiccan and rootwork practices, Anais Alexandre shares a collection of delicious potions for the modern witch. From potent cocktails, to restorative elixirs and captivating brews, this book of drinkable spells offers the powers of time-honoured wisdom in truly delectable form. Each potion is accompanied by a simple ritual to supercharge its effectiveness, whether as a solitary witch or with your coven. Sip on a subtle love potion, draw monetary fortune your way with a lucky prosperi-tea, or spread friendship vibes with a warming party punch; as the wheel of the year turns, discover your own craft through the magic of mixology.

In The Ultimate Book of Cocktails, bestselling cocktail author Dan Jones shares over 100 of his best-loved drinks. Starting with the basics, Dan covers the essentials of a home bar, from equipment and glassware to spirits needed, also including his own recipes for syrups, sours and brines. The cocktail list will have you powering through that leftover vodka you've had gathering dust in the kitchen in no time! From classic tipples to batch drinks for a crowd, hair-of-the-dog hangover cures, inventive new drinks, seasonal hits, tropical tasters and more, this is the bible of cocktails. Wow your guests with a mojito good enough to impress Ernest Hemingway, get the party started with a big batch of Backyard Sangria, and knock the socks off of winter with a hot and steamy Mexican Hot Chocolate. From summer tipples to winter warmers, this is the only cocktail book you will ever need. All written in Dan's witty, engaging style, The Ultimate Book of Cocktails is perfect for the cocktail-lover in your life.

The long-awaited cocktail book from Vanderpump Rules stars Ariana and Tom is finally here! Bravo's hit show Vanderpump Rules, which Vogue recently called "America's perfect reality show," is a spin-off of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The show is centered around the crazy, booze-fueled lives of the staff at Lisa Vanderpump's wildly popular SUR restaurant in West Hollywood. Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval, two of the show's stars, fell in love on the show and have stuck together through it all. They've been talking about writing a cocktail book on the show for a few seasons, and now they're finally delivering the goods with this book that has drinks for every situation. It features a mix of classy cocktails for fancy special occasions and trashier recipes for those times when you just have a few random ingredients in your kitchen and want to keep the buzz going. Shots and recovery recipes are also included, so your pregame and morning after will be covered too. Woven throughout are brand-new photos and behind-the-scenes stories crafted with the help of Bravo insider and co-author Danny Pellegrino, making this a true must-have for fans of the show.

In 2011 when Alice Feiring first arrived in Georgia, she felt as if she'd emerged from the magic wardrobe into a world filled with mythical characters making exotic and delicious wine with the low tech of centuries past. She was smitten, and she wasn't alone. This country on the Black Sea has an unusual effect on people; the most passionate rip off their clothes and drink wines out of horns while the cold-hearted well up with tears and parse emotional toasts. Visiting winemakers fall under Georgia's spell and bring home qvevris (clay fermentation vessels) while rethinking their own techniques. But as in any good fairy tale, Feiring sensed that danger ran shotgun with the magic. With acclaim and growing international interest come threats in the guise of new wine consultants aimed at making wines more commercial. So Feiring fought back in the only way she knew how-by celebrating Georgia and the men and women who make the wines she loves most, those made naturally with organic viticulture, minimal intervention, and no additives. From Tbilisi to Batumi, Feiring meets winemakers, bishops, farmers, artists, and silk spinners. She feasts, toasts, and collects recipes. She encounters the thriving qvevri craftspeople of the countryside, wild grape hunters, and even Stalin's last winemaker-while plumbing the depths of this tiny country's love for its wines. For the Love of Wine is Feiring's emotional tale of a remarkable country and people who have survived religious wars and Soviet occupation, yet managed always to keep hold of its precious wine traditions. Embedded in the narrative is even hope that Georgia has the temerity to confront its latest threat-modernization.

"An engrossing account of wine fraud and forgery . . . Hellman clearly knows his stuff."--The Wall Street Journal "[Hellman] presents . . . the macho, competitive, one-upmanship world of the collectors, an atmosphere that perhaps contributed to their gullibility in the high-rolling economy of the early 2000s."--The New York Times "Heady, intoxicating . . . shines a light on the esoteric and intriguing world of ultrarare, ultrafine wines."--Foreword, starred review "In Vino Duplicitas is a cautionary tale of how we can let the romance of wine get the better of us. . . . None of us are immune."--Washington Post Few gain entry to the privileged world of ultrafine wines, where billionaires flock to exclusive auction houses to vie for the scarce surviving bottles from truly legendary years. But Rudy Kurniawan, an unknown twentysomething from Indonesia, was blessed with two gifts that opened doors: a virtuoso palate for wine tasting, and access to a seemingly limitless (if mysterious) supply of the world's most coveted wines. After bursting onto the scene in 2002, Kurniawan quickly became the leading purveyor of rare wines to the American elite. But in April 2008, his lots of Domaine Ponsot Clos Saint-Denis red burgundy--dating as far back as 1945--were abruptly pulled from auction. The problem? The winemaker was certain that this particular burgundy was first produced only in 1982. Journalist Peter Hellman was there, and he would closely investigate as a singular cast of characters--including a Kansas-born billionaire and self-proclaimed "hoarder," a dignified Burgundian winemaker, a wine-loving young prosecutor, and a crusty FBI agent who prepared for the case by reading French Wine for Dummies--worked to unravel the biggest con in wine history. Whether driven by the love of wine or of justice, all were asking the same question: Was the mild-mannered Kurniawan himself a dupe? Or had one young man--with little experience and few connections--ensnared the world's top winemakers, sellers, and drinkers in a web of deceit?