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.

From John Dillinger's Gin Fizz to Al Capone's Templeton Rye, mobsters loved their liquor—as well as the millions that bootlegging and speakeasies made them during the Prohibition. In a time when any giggle juice could land you in the hoosegow, mobsters had their own ways of making sure the gin mill never ran dry and the drinks kept flowing. And big screen blockbusters like The Godfather, GoodFellas, and Scarface and small screen hits like The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire ensure that our obsession with mobsters won't run dry, either. Mixology expert Albert W. A. Schmid shows how you can recreate the allure of the gangster bar life with step-by-step instructions on how to set up the best Prohibition-style bar and pour the drinks to match. Recipes include mob favorites like the Machete, the Paralyzer, Greyhound (Salty Dog), Say Hello to My Little Friend, and Angel Face, as well as classics like the Gimlet, Kamikaze, and Bee's Knees. How to Drink Like a Mobster also includes profiles of the most notorious mobsters' connections to the booze business, along with tips to stay under the radar in any speakeasy: always have at least one or more aliases ready, pay with cash, don't draw attention to yourself, and in the case of a raid, drink the evidence as fast as you can!

Punch is the original party drink. Versatile, easy, and inexpensive, it is the perfect addition to any occasion, whether a large wedding party, baby shower, or just a fun backyard barbecue with friends and family. Potent Punches gathers the best unique recipes that will please your whole party in just one bowl. The guide shows the beginning bartender how to throw an awesome party on a budget, with simple and easy-to-follow recipes that will leave guests wondering when you had time for a bartending class. Recipes feature the familiar Bloody Mary Frappe, Whiskey Sour, Sangria, and Sweet 'n' Sour Fizz in crowd-pleasing portions, along with vintage cocktails like the San Francisco Cocktail, Mexican Patriot Cocktail, Ooo-La-La Champagne, and Frosted Black Russians. In the foreword, cocktail expert Albert W. A. Schmid explains the resurgence of punch as the modern go-to party drink and provides tips to help you be the life of the party and the ultimate punch host. Potent Punches has something for everyone, from delicious, nonalcoholic options for the kids to potent vintage punch and cocktail recipes that guarantee a fun retro vibe for your next party.

"Royalty." A single word that invokes daydreams of champagne, lavish lifestyles, and extravagant parties. In How to Drink Like a Royal, Albert W. A. Schmid offers readers a taste of how the other half lives, with cocktail recipes inspired by some of the world's most famous dynasties. To ensure that you will delight even royal guests, Schmid also provides tips for proper etiquette, such as the requirement to stand if the Monarch is standing and to never, ever try to take a selfie. Discover cocktails like the Golden Doublet, created to celebrate the marriage of England's Princess Anne to Captain Mark Phillips, or the Savoy Royale created for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on her visit to the Savoy Hotel, London. Other recipes give ode to royal families from works of literature, like the Beowulf Cocktail honoring King Hrothgar of the Danes. Even the royalty of the United States is featured through the Hawaiian Martini, an homage to the Hawaiian royal family who reigned from their palaces until 1893. With easy-to-follow glossaries for both royal and cocktail-making terms alongside 180 reciepes for a wide array of drinks that will quench any sort of thirst, How to Drink Like a Royal is an informative and light-hearted manual to help you cultivate your inner prince or princess.

Most of us will never live the life of an international spy, but that doesn't mean that we can drink like one! Just about everyone knows James Bond's classic martini order, "shaken, not stirred", but here you will discover new favorites from beloved novels like those by Ian Fleming and Tom Clancy and big screen blockbusters like the Jason Bourne movies, Argo, Austin Powers, and Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies. Mixology expert Albert W. A. Schmid provides step-by-step instructions on setting up and stocking a bar worthy of 007 and pouring the drinks to match. Recipes include secret agent favorites like The Lucky Jim versus the Montgomery, Kurrant Affair, Pillow Talk, From Russia with Love, Bossanova, Betsy Flanagan versus the Manhattan, Dark 'n' Stormy, and TNT. How to Drink Like a Spy also includes profiles of the most famous and notorious spies throughout history and a lexicon so you don't blow your cover when ordering your next drink.

Who doesn't dream of the rock star lifestyle? Loud music, throngs of adoring fans, and parties that last for days. The glitz, the glamor, and the drinking. In How to Drink Like a Rockstar, Albert W. A. Schmid offers readers a taste of how the rock stars live with his various cocktail recipes inspired by some of America's favorite musicians, from classic rock to contemporary artists. Drinks like Opera, Jumpin' Jack Flash, and T.N.T pay tribute to bands such as Queen, the Beatles, and AC/DC, each with a different twist. Every one of Schmid's cocktail recipes celebrates the lives and careers of artists such as Van Halen's Michael Anthony with his Jack Daniels-shaped guitar or The Grateful Dead and their army of "Dead Head" groupies. Not only does he detail the best mixing techniques, list the necessary equipment, and provide instructions on how to make homemade cocktail cherries and syrups but Schmid also includes rock star life advice so that readers can maximize their rock star experience. With easy-to-follow glossaries for both rock 'n' roll and cocktail-making terms alongside a wide array of drinks that will quench any sort of thirst, How to Drink Like a Rock Star is an informative and light-hearted manual to get your night started right.

The Hot Brown Sandwich is a delicious staple of culture and heritage in Louisville, Kentucky. Originally created at its namesake the Brown Hotel, the Hot Brown began as turkey on bread covered in Mornay sauce and topped with tomato wedges and two slices of bacon, and has developed into an entire industry of fries, pizza, salads, and more. Chef Albert W. A. Schmid offers a wealth of recipes for the notorious sandwich and reveals the legends and stories that surround the dish. For example, it may have had humble beginnings as a tasty way to use up kitchen scraps, or it could have been invented to ward off hangovers-scandalous since the first Hot Browns were served during the Prohibition. Schmid treats readers to an exceptional collection of recipes for the legendary sandwich and hotel cuisine scrumptious enough to whet any appetite, including the Cold Brown (served during the summer), Chicken Chow Mein (the Brown Hotel Way), and Louisville-inspired cocktails such as the Muhammad Ali Smash.