About the Book

The Drunken Botanist
The Plants That Create the World’s Great Drinks
Algonquin Books • 2013

Winner of the International Association of Culinary Professionals 2014 Judges Choice Award, and the 2014 Northern California Book Award
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.

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.

Check Amy’s website for a complete list of book tour dates.

The Drunken Botanist  is published by Algonquin Books and is available  through your local independent bookstore and everywhere books are sold.  In the UK, it is published by Timber Press.

Kirkus Reviews said, “Gardeners, nature lovers and mixologists will find themselves reaching frequently for this volume . . . A rich compendium of botanical lore for cocktail lovers.”

For media updates and other information, please visit  AmyStewart.com.