*** Take a journey through American whiskey, with spirits specialist Eric Zandona. Eric Zandona - spirits expert at the American Distilling Institute - leads a region-by-region tour of the unique flavours and stories of American whiskey, from Kentucky's bourbon heartland to New York's Empire Rye revolution. With chapters telling the story of each key whiskey-producing region, plus profiles of notable distilleries and a flavour guide for their most interesting whiskeys, you'll learn all there is to know about the only true American spirit. Includes: Maps, facts, historical information Regional guides to American bourbon, rye, single malt and more Profiles of key distilleries & their must-try whiskeys Cocktail recipes for every region

Jay McInerney on wine? Yes, Jay McInerney on wine! The best-selling novelist has turned his command of language and flair for metaphor on the world of wine, providing this sublime collection of untraditional musings on wine and wine culture that is as fit for someone looking for “a nice Chardonnay” as it is for the oenophile.

On champagne: “Is Dom Pérignon worth four bottles of Mo‘t & Chandon? If you are a connoisseur, a lover, a snob, or the owner of a large oceangoing craft, the answer . . . is probably yes.”
On the difficulty of picking a wine for a vegetarian meal: “Like boys and girls locked away in same-sex prep schools, most wines yearn for a bit of flesh.”
On telling the difference between Burgundy and Bordeaux: “If it’s red, French, costs too much, and tastes like the water that’s left in the vase after the flowers have died, it’s probably Burgundy.”
On the fungus responsible for the heavenly flavor of the dessert wine called Sauternes: “Not since Baudelaire smoked opium has corruption resulted in such beauty.”

Includes new material plus recommendations on the world’s most romantic wines and the best wines to pair with a meal

The New York Times bestselling author of Napa tells the captivating story of how the Napa Valley region transformed into an extraordinary engine of commerce, glamour, and an outsized version of the American dream--and how it could be lost--in "a strong plea for responsible stewardship of the land" (Kirkus Reviews).Not so long ago, wine was an exclusively European product. Now it is thoroughly American; emblematic of Napa Valley, an area idealized as the epicenter of great wines and foods and a cultural tourist destination. But James Conaway's candid book tells the other side of the romanticized story. Napa at Last Light reveals the often shadowy side of the latter days of Napa Valley--marked by complex personal relationships, immense profits, passionate beliefs, and sometimes desperate struggles to prevail. In the balance hang fortunes and personal relationships made through hard work and manipulation of laws, people, and institutions. Napans who grew up trusting in the beneficence of the "vintner" class now confront the multinational corporations who have stealthily subsumed the old family landmarks and abandoned the once glorious conviction that agriculture is the best use of the land. Hailed as the definitive Napa writer, Conaway has spent decades covering the region. Napa at Last Light showcases the greed, enviable profits, legacy, and tradition that still collide in this compelling story. The area is still full of dreamers, but of opposing sorts: those longing for a harmonious society based upon the vine, and self-styled overlords yearning for wealth and the special acclaim only fine wine can bring. Bets are still out on what the future holds. "This is a stunning and sad look at how an idyllic community became a victim of its own success...fascinating and well-researched" (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

If there's one thing we know, it's that we can survive anything with a furry companion and a cocktail by our side. Enter Drinking with My Dog, which combines our devotion to dogs with celebratory drinks in this charming, pet-centric cocktail book from Natalie Bovis of The Liquid Muse. Inside you'll find everything you need to know to set up your home bar and mix 60+ delicious cocktails organized into dog-themed chapters, featuring rescue dogs, famous furbabies, wild dogs, cocktails for pawlidays throughout the year, and more. Also included is canine history, whimsical illustrations, and toast-worthy quotes. Drinking with My Dog is the ideal companion for dog lovers and drink enthusiasts alike, and is the cocktail book we've always needed to help us raise a glass to wo/man's best friend!

Develop your palate and become your own beer expert.

Beer is brewed in a dizzying variety of styles, available to enjoy like never before. Let's drink to this diversity with a new appreciation of just how complex, mind-expanding, and delicious beer can be. Crack open this book and enjoy a series of guided tastings of more than 50 different beer styles - from smoked black lager to funky and sour wild ales, triple green-hopped citrussy IPAs and cask-matured barley wines.

With each tasting you will learn to identify how aroma, taste, texture, and finish all combine to create the distinctive flavour profile of the particular beer style. You will discover which unique ingredients and aspects of the brewing process combine to produce each style. While quick reviews of the best examples from around the world will set you exploring further. To help establish your beer palate, the course starts with a solid grounding in the range of flavours found in beer and the art of detecting them - opening your nose, mind, and throat to the complete sensory experience of flavour and pouring the perfect glass!

Travel through time and across the globe to grasp the on-going story of beer, its heritage, and innovation. Learn how to pair beer with food and cook with it. But always return to what really matters: that miraculous glass of cold, liquid joy.

The authors trace the birth of spirits from China, to India, to Persia, through Europe and on to the New World. What did people do with these potent potables long before the cocktail was ever heard of?

Would you like to better appreciate fine distilled spirits? "Whiskey & Spirits For Dummies" is your complete guide to selecting and enjoying this family of noble beverages, flavor by flavor. From whiskey, rum, and brandy to vodka, gin, and cordials, this handy reference traces the history of distilled spirits, explains how they are made, and shows you how to evaluate, serve, and savor them.

Ever wonder why the Irish spell it "whiskey" and the Scottish "whisky"? This friendly book tells you as it reveals where the first whiskeys -- or "dark" spirits -- originated and how they came to the United States. It also explores the origins of clear spirits and the different varieties of each. You'll compare American and European vodkas, see how to make the new and improved all-purpose Martini, and follow the spread of flavored rums across the globe. A slew of sidebars give you fascinating tidbits of information about these spirits. You'll also discover how to: Become a sophisticated tasterShop for the best spiritsSelect the right mixersUse spirits in cookingMake ten classic cocktailsChoose and taste cordials and liqueursKnow the nutrients in one serving of each type of distilled spiritPresent spirits to guestsSet up tasting events at home

This thorough guide also features recipes for cooking with spirits, offering menu choices such as entrees, vegetables, and desserts that all include at least one type of spirit. Complete with an appendix of craft distillers across the United States, "Whiskey & Spirits For Dummies" will give you the knowledge and hands-on guidance you need to become a connoisseur of such greats as fine Scotch, Bourbon, and Cognac in no time

Awesome games for the big night... and vital advice for the morning after Let the games begin and the good times roll! This compact collection of drinking games from around the globe is guaranteed to liven up your night. Will you play Vodka Roulette or risk a round of Nasty or Nice? Then when the alcohol has taken its toll, just flip to the hangovers section for remedies, fun facts and tasty recipes to make it all better.

A beautifully packaged look at the world's finest whiskies, with detailed photography of each bottle Rare Whisky is a stylish exploration of the world's finest and rarest whiskies, exquisitely packaged in a hardback book with slipcase. This book looks at the most exceptional whiskies across the world, focusing on key producers such as Scotland, Ireland, the USA and Japan, as well as interesting rarities from the likes of India and Taiwan. This book is beautifully designed to highlight the unique qualities of each and every exceptional whisky featured within. Whether you want to brush up on the classics, hunt down the rarities or find out the rich history of any number of whiskies, this is the book for you. Once you acquire a taste for the vast knowledge included in this book, you will be eager to take a trip around the world of whisky right away! With beautiful photography of extremely rare bottles, from a breathtaking 1920s vintage sold at auction to the best offerings from recent years, Rare Whisky is essential reading for all whisky lovers.

The Sake Handbook is the foremost guide to the history, brewing, and distinctive flavors of sake. Just what are jizake, namazake and ginjoshu? The Sake Handbook answers all these questions and much more about sake wine and will help you enjoy Japan's national beverage in style. Author John Gauntner is recognized as the world's leading non-Japanese sake expert. A longtime Japan resident, he is well known among sake brewers and others within the sake industry. He wrote the Nihonshu Column in the Japan Times for many years before writing a weekly column on sake in Japanese for the Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan's and the world's most widely distributed Japanese newspaper. In 2006, John received the Sake Samurai award. He has published five books on sake including Sake Confidential This sake book features: This new edition has been completely revised and updated Gives you all the information you need in a handy, portable format Offers a detailed explanation of the sake brewing process Reviews over a hundred sake brands, with illustrations of their labels for easy identification Profiles over 50 Japanese izakaya or pub-style restaurants in Tokyo and the surrounding environs Lists specialty shops in Japan where you can purchase hard-to-find Japanese wine brands Lists specialty retailers in the United States and elsewhere

The Sazerac, the Hurricane, and the absinthe glass of Herbsaint are among the many well-known creations native to New Orleans's longstanding drinking culture. But more than vehicles for alcohol, the cocktails and spirits that complement the city's culinary prowess are each a token of its history. In every bar-side toast or street-corner daiquiri you can find evidence of the people, politics, and convergence of ethnicities that drive the story of the Crescent City. In Lift Your Spirits: A Celebratory History of Cocktail Culture in New Orleans, Elizabeth M. Williams, founder and director of the Southern Food and Beverage Institute, and world-renowned bartender Chris McMillian illuminate the city's open embrace of alcohol, both in religious and secular life, while delving into the myths, traditions, and personalities that have made New Orleans a destination for imbibing tourists and a mecca for mixologists. With over 40 cocktail recipes interspersed among nearly three hundred years of history, a sampling of premier cocktail bars in New Orleans, and a glossary of terms to aid drink making and mixing, Lift Your Spirits honors the art of a good drink in the city of good times.

Presented in a box with a foiled lid, and with 50 recipe cards featuring 1920's and Art Deco-inspired patterns, this is a beautiful gift for you or anyone you know who knows how to host a party. There's nothing like a well-balanced drink to add a bit of pizzazz to your day. Whether you're toasting a recent triumph, bringing together friends and family or just capping off a long day of work, mixing your own cocktails at home is easier than you think. Featuring 50 recipe cards for Prohibition-era classics such as the Southside and the Gimlet, and modern classics such as the Breakfast Martini, and the Bramble, The Cocktail Box is the home bartender's best friend. There are cocktails to suit every taste and occasion from bubbly and sweet fizzy drinks that bring the party spirit, to dark and aromatic blends to help you unwind. The cards are also accompanied by a short guide that includes all the equipment, techniques and tips that you need to succeed. Each card has a clear and easy to follow recipe along with a little bit of cocktail history. Gone are the days of having to prop open a book while measuring ingredients - take the card with you wherever it's easiest to see. You can also bring cocktails you want to try on your next shopping trip as a reminder of which ingredients you need. You can even use the cards to display cocktail choices at a party or announce the cocktail of the day. And when you're not sure which cocktail to try next, just shuffle the cards and pull a recipe at random for a delicious surprise!

The rumors are true; there are more barrels of bourbon than there are people in Kentucky. In fact, statistics tell us there are nearly two barrels of aging bourbon for every Bluegrass State citizen. With a population of nearly 4.5 million and each barrel yielding close to 200 bottles, it's safe to say the average Kentuckian doesn't have to look far for a bottle of amber gold. While Kentucky may be known as bourbon's home base, for bourbon lovers everywhere, the act of drinking bourbon is about more than just its acquisition. It is a lore and an experience, but most of all it is a legacy. As people across the United States and the world begin to wake up to the allure of Kentucky's state beverage, bourbon is having its moment - the act of coveting, collecting and savoring bottles is now a worthy passion to pursue. With budding enthusiasts clamoring to know more about this American-born creation, finding an entry point into the history and culture of the spirit is a task not easily undertaken. Bourbon 101 offers a distinctive and introductory approach to learning about the world of bourbon. Award-winning author Albert W. A. Schmid takes students through a crash-course in all-things bourbon including its history, production, and enduring cultural identity. Schmid introduces new enthusiasts to the lexicon of bourbon and provides a starting point for those wanting to develop their palate and find the bourbon that best suits their own taste. Told through the lens of Schmid's own experiences and interactions with experts in the bourbon world, the book is as much a handbook as it is a love letter to a beverage that has left an indelible impression on those who've dared to take the first sip.

The 55 spritz recipes in Spritz Fever! are in the cocktail style of the decade. Seeing as most spritzes are low(ish) in ABV (well, certainly lower than wine anyway), they're the ideal companion for any day drinking event. Plus, as most Instagram feeds can attest, spritzes aren't just a drink... They're a lifestyle. These bubbly wonders speak to a careless Italian summer, spent reclining by the beach in fine and flowing linen. What can be so easy to forget is that spritzes are so much more than just Aperol and bubbles. In this book, you'll learn about the classic European liqueurs, like Cynar, Campari, Luxardo Bitter, Meletti, and more. Moreover, you'll discover the nuances between prosecco, cava and champagne can create different textures as the bubbles in each effervesce uniquely. Plus, read up on how citrus garnishes must be matched appropriately to each drink's flavuor profile, and, of course, colour. Above all, follow the perfect ratio of liqueur-to-bubbles changes for each recipe. Spritz Fever! explains all of this, alongside its dreamy illustrations. It's time you get to the very essence of effervescence. Your next party guests will love all the cocktail recipes you glean from Spritz Fever!, and just in time for summer!

In this French edition, Dujardin presents an illustrated history of the art of distillation in all civilizations.

In Glass and Gavel, noted legal expert Nancy Maveety has written the first book devoted to alcohol in the nation's highest court of law, the United States Supreme Court. Combining an examination of the justices' participation in the social use of alcohol across the Court's history with a survey of the Court's decisions on alcohol regulation, Maveety illustrates the ways in which the Court has helped to construct the changing culture of alcohol. "Intoxicating liquor" is one of the few things so plainly material to explicitly merit mention, not once, but twice, in the amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Maveety shows how much of our constitutional law-Supreme Court rulings on the powers of government and the rights of individuals-has been shaped by our American love/hate relationship with the bottle and the barroom. From the tavern as a judicial meeting space, to the bootlegger as both pariah and patriot, to the individual freedom issue of the sobriety checkpoint-there is the Supreme Court, adjudicating but also partaking in the temper(ance) of the times. In an entertaining and accessible style, Maveety shows that what the justices say and do with respect to alcohol provides important lessons about their times, our times, and our "constitutional cocktail" of limited governmental power and individual rights.

Drink like a true American this election season with fun and creative presidential-themed cocktails! Whether you like a more conservative pour or are liberal with your libations, let's embrace the pursuit of happiness.

It's election season, and if you're anything like most Americans, you like your ballots with a side of booze and your suffrage accompanied by something tall and stiff. In United We Drink, you're invited to celebrate the nation one presidential-themed cocktail at a time.

Whether your political views come "with a twist" or are a little more "old-fashioned," this book has you covered. Inside this must-have bartender handbook you'll find:

• 45 easy cocktail and mocktail recipes inspired by each of the presidents
• 5 themed drinks for Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, with guided cutting lines so you can cut out whatever doesn't suit you
• Inspirational, artfully designed quotes from Founding Fathers and former presidents

• Cherry Nelson (inspired by George Washington)
• Massachusetts Mimosa (inspired by John Adams)
• Apple Rosemary Gin and Tonic (inspired by Abraham Lincoln)
• Irish Hot Chocolate (inspired by Chester A. Arthur)
• Hot Teddy (inspired by Theodore Roosevelt)
• Mezcal Margarita inspired by (Dwight D. Eisenhower)
• Frozen Strawberry Jackuiri (inspired by John F. Kennedy)
• Peaceful Peach Spritzer (inspired by Jimmy Carter)

• Election-night parties
• Presidential debates
• Fourth of July get-togethers
• Memorial Day cookouts
• And any night you're just feeling a little patriotic.