Title: The Drunken Botanist

Author: Amy Stewart

Publisher: Algonquin Books 2013

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 400

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NonAd); Nonfiction; 52 Books - W23

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.

I grabbed this book off an endcap at the library. I bring it home and J tells me, "oh, I've heard that's really good." It's not often J hears about a book and I don't. Overall, I really enjoyed this deep dive into alcohol and botany. I learned some interesting tidbits. Reading this makes me wish I wasn't pregnant so I could indulge in a few of her featured recipes. Oh well... just a few more months before I can again.