The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails

Product Description
Anthropologists and historians have confirmed the central role alcohol has played in nearly every society since the dawn of human civilization, but it is only recently that it has been the subject of serious scholarly inquiry.
The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails is the first major
reference work to cover the subject from a global perspective, and provides an authoritative, enlightening, and entertaining overview of this third branch of the alcohol family. It will stand alongside the bestselling
Companions to Wine and
Beer, presenting an in-depth exploration of the world of
spirits and cocktails in a groundbreaking synthesis.
The Companion covers drinks, processes, and techniques from around the world as well as those in the US and Europe. It provides clear explanations of the different ways that spirits are produced, including fermentation, distillation, and ageing, alongside a wealth of new detail on the emergence of
cocktails and cocktail bars, including entries on key cocktails and influential mixologists and cocktail bars. With entries ranging from
Manhattan and
mixology to
sloe gin and
stills, the Companion combines coverage of the range of spirit-based drinks around the world with clear explanations of
production processes, and the history and culture of their consumption. It is the ultimate guide to understanding what is in your glass.
The Companion is lavishly illustrated throughout, and appendices include a timeline of spirits and distillation and a guide to mixing drinks.
Review
"This well-researched and executed volume is a treasure. It's a cocktail dictionary. It's a spirits lexicon. It's a mixology almanac. It's a true drinks companion - and many of us will welcome the company... engaging and often amusing, and above all it is a delightful education." -- Chrissie Walker,
Mostly Food & Travel Journal
"A comprehensive guide, an essential addition to the reference bookshelf, to be consulted when researching the history of a spirit, the origins of a cocktail, or indeed when settling a drunken argument on any drinks-related subject, from Cognac to Coca-Cola... Rothbaum and Wondrich have marshalled a
huge amount of knowledge to provide a pivotal point of reference. They should be lauded and applauded for their fine work." -- Joel Harrison, Club Oenologique
"There really hasn't been anything which offers such a comprehensive overview as this book does and it's well overdue... It's a treasure trove of information for anybody with the least little bit of interest in the subject." -- Hayley Anderton, Shiny New Books
"If I sound a little bit breathless and overexcited about this book - well, I am. There hasn't really been anything like it before which covers so much in one place... if you're looking for a Christmas present for a drinks enthusiast I don't see how you can miss with this book." -- Desperate
Reader
"A must-have compendium for any drinks lover." -- Julie Sheppard, Decanter
"Magnificent... I greatly enjoyed perusing this voluminous book and will hugely enjoy owning it." -- Vitali Vitaliev, E&T Magazine
"Noah and Dave are extremely knowledgeable individuals in the spirits and cocktails space who, I can only imagine, had the most spectacular time researching, tasting, and perfecting this must-have guide for any spirits buff." --
Dan Aykroyd, actor, writer & creator of Crystal Head Vodka
"Get ready to know everything you wanted, and plenty you never knew you needed, about the complex world of spirits and cocktails. Brought to you by two of the greatest minds in tippling, this compendium will impress you, and more importantly your friends, with its depth, breadth, and downright
substance. If you're as passionate about spirits as I am, this companion will knock you off your cocktail napkin." --
Aisha Tyler, actor, director, Emmy Award-winning TV host and creator of Courage + Stone bottled cocktails
"The world of spirits and cocktails is wide and enduring, and