Scan barcode
Reviews
The Drunken Botanist: The Plants that Create the World's Great Drinks by Amy Stewart, Amy Stewart
bethpeluse's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this book- would recommend to anyone interested in cocktails and mixology.
readingryan14's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
drgnlis's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
3.5
stingo's review
5.0
A really good reference work on the plants that are used to make the adult beverages we love. It also has drink recipes featuring the adult beverages in question. It goes even further to add guidelines on how to grow the plants, if you've a green thumb. Past the initial read through, I'd imagine it would be dipped into as topics/plants of interest came to mind. I also appreciated the fact that Stewart wrote the book to be understood by the non-botanist layperson (e.g., me), and will look into reading more of her work.
Edited to add: Stewart's love of the plants and the drinks comes through in the writing, which is also a definite plus.
Edited to add: Stewart's love of the plants and the drinks comes through in the writing, which is also a definite plus.
fungusfather's review against another edition
4.0
a really solid book of research of plants and alcohol and culture!! loved reading through it
sarahetc's review against another edition
4.0
Although I don't recall why I wanted to read this book, it turned out to be something entirely different than what I expected and, as such, tremendously enjoyable. Stewart does indeed talk about alcoholic drinks, but only as a vehicle to explore something like botanical archaeology. Humans have been eating, drinking, fermenting, domesticating, cultivating and experimenting on plants for thousands and thousands of years. And all of those activities tell us a lot about who we are and where we came from.
Stewart's writing is light, quick and engaging. She occasionally gets so deeply into her subject that a layperson might feel a bit out to sea. I did. But skimming those bits doesn't harm any understanding. The book flowed well and was tremendously educational in the most enjoyable way. I look forward to reading and learning more from her.
Stewart's writing is light, quick and engaging. She occasionally gets so deeply into her subject that a layperson might feel a bit out to sea. I did. But skimming those bits doesn't harm any understanding. The book flowed well and was tremendously educational in the most enjoyable way. I look forward to reading and learning more from her.
katiescho741's review against another edition
5.0
This is a really interesting book about all the plants, herbs, trees and roots that go into making the booze we all love!
As a cocktail bartender, it helps you understand why things taste the way they do, and it gives you some great stories to tell while mixing drinks. There are a few myths busted here too...like the "fact" that Absinthe is poison/illegal.
This book covers everything from beer and ale, to tequila, to wine and champagne.
A fantastic book that I'd recommend to anyone with an interest in cocktail making, or in plants!
As a cocktail bartender, it helps you understand why things taste the way they do, and it gives you some great stories to tell while mixing drinks. There are a few myths busted here too...like the "fact" that Absinthe is poison/illegal.
This book covers everything from beer and ale, to tequila, to wine and champagne.
A fantastic book that I'd recommend to anyone with an interest in cocktail making, or in plants!