An history of Britain and the Empire, told through the improbable but true stories of how the world's favourite alcoholic drinks came to be. Charting the rise of Britain from a small corner of Europe to global pre-eminence, each chapter unveils a drink which originated during a period in British imperial history.
Without Britain, none of the world's favourite wines would exist. Neither would champagne, port, rum or whisky. Not even beer. How did one small nation come to exert such a lasting influence on the world of booze?
Empire of Booze is a loose history of Britain, cleverly and humorously told through its contributions to alcohol, charting the rise of British power from its small corner of Europe to global pre-eminence. Each chapter features a historical period and a drink tracing its origins and examining its impact on British culture, literature, science, philosophy and religion. Learn about how...
...the champagne we drink today is owed to British technology for making sparkling wine.
...rum and India Pale Ale were developed so they could withstand the long, hot journeys to Britain's burgeoning overseas empire.
...whisky became the drink of choice for weary empire builders far from home.
...without alcohol, the pre-twentieth century global economy could not function.
With drink recommendations offered throughout, you can booze while you read along. So raise a glass to Britain, the Empire of Booze, whose alcoholic innovations are some of its greatest, lasting gifts to the world.
