School of Sophisticated Drinking

An Intoxicating History of Seven Spirits

“A very entertaining book that deserves a leather armchair, a fine cigar, and a double measure of cognac. ” – Gaz Regan, author of The Joy of Mixology

A detailed and insightful look into the development and sometimes comical past of the world of cocktail recipes and their stories.” —Frankie Solarik, co-owner, Barchef Toronto and author of The Bar Chef

The School of Sophisticated Drinking traces the deep-seated lineage of drinking in the social, political, and even scientific developments of our culture. Inspired by an ongoing series of lectures at Berlin’s legendary cocktail den, the Victoria Bar, each chapter delves into the sociopolitical significance of and technological innovations behind a familiar wine or spirit—brandy, vodka, whisky, rum, gin, tequila, and champagne—and shares plenty of tales of adventure, from the glamour of Hollywood and Broadway to the tormented worlds of well-known writers, to the outbreak of wars and the unending struggle for economic and military power. Whether you’re an expert drinker or a novice barfly, it’ll give you plenty to contemplate inside your glass.