Anthropologists and historians have confirmed the central role alcohol has played in nearly every society since the dawn of civilization, but only recently has it become the subject of serious scholarly inquiry. The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails, published in 2021, is the first major reference work to cover the subject from a global perspective and provides an authoritative and entertaining overview of this branch of the alcohol family.
The Companion covers drinks and techniques from around the world, as well as the history and culture of cocktail consumption. It offers a wealth of detail on production processes; the emergence of cocktails and cocktail bars; and key cocktails and influential mixologists. With entries ranging from the Manhattan to mixology, sloe gin to stills, it’s the ultimate guide to understanding what’s in your glass.
Assembling the massive compendium was no easy task. Editor in chief David Wondrich, associate editor Noah Rothbaum, and contributor Philip Greene serve up a lively and informative evening in which they discuss the challenges and rewards of creating this contribution to our understanding of civilized drinking. Four sample cocktails are served during the event, along with light snacks.
Copies of The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails (Oxford University Press) are available for purchase and signing.
General Information
