The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart

Sake began with a grain of rice. Scotch emerged from barley, tequila from agave, rum from sugarcane, bourbon from corn. Thirsty yet?  In The Drunken Botanist, Amy Stewart explores the dizzying array of herbs, flowers, trees, fruits, and fungi that humans have, through ingenuity, inspiration, and sheer desperation, contrived to transform into alcohol over the centuries.

Of all the extraordinary and obscure plants that have been fermented and distilled, a few are dangerous, some are downright bizarre, and one is as ancient as dinosaurs—but each represents a unique cultural contribution to our global drinking traditions and our history.

This fascinating concoction of biology, chemistry, history, etymology, and mixology—with more than fifty drink recipes and growing tips for gardeners—will make you the most popular guest at any cocktail party.

Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1616200464

About the author: Amy Stewart is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen books, including Wicked Plants, Flower Confidential, and Girl Waits with Gun. She lives in Portland, Orgon. 

Image description: The cover has a teal background; it is framed by an ornate green border filled with swirling vines and leaves. The title is printed at the top inside the frame, in the center a classic martini glass surrounded by more green swirls is displayed, and below the glass the author's name is printed.