Drunk in China - by Derek Sandhaus (Paperback)

About the Book

Drunk in China follows Derek Sandhaus's journey of discovery into the world's oldest drinking culture, uncovering a tradition spanning more than nine thousand years and exploring how recent economic and political developments have pushed Chinese alcohol beyond the nation's borders for the first time.

Book Synopsis

2020 Gourmand Award in Spirits

China is one of the world's leading producers and consumers of liquor, with alcohol infusing all aspects of its culture, from religion and literature to business and warfare. Yet to the outside world, China's most famous spirit, baijiu, remains a mystery. This is about to change, as baijiu is now being served in cocktail bars beyond its borders.

Drunk in China follows Derek Sandhaus's journey of discovery into the world's oldest drinking culture. He travels throughout the country and around the globe to meet with distillers, brewers, snake-oil salesmen, archaeologists, and ordinary drinkers. He examines the many ways alcohol has shaped Chinese society and its rituals. He visits production floors, karaoke parlors, hotpot joints, and speakeasies. Along the way he uncovers a tradition spanning more than nine thousand years and explores how recent economic and political developments have conspired to push Chinese alcohol beyond the nation's borders for the first time. As Chinese society becomes increasingly international, its drinking culture must also adapt to the times. Can the West also adapt and clink glasses with China? Read Drunk in China and find out.

Review Quotes

"Drunk in China takes readers on a spirited, entertaining journey through the lens of China's favorite and often misunderstood drink, baijiu. Derek Sandhaus illuminates Chinese history and contemporary life in his devoted quest to embrace and relish a traditional Chinese liquor."--Jen Lin-Liu, author of Serve the People and On the Noodle Road and founder of Beijing's Black Sesame Kitchen cooking school

-- (2/23/2019 12:00:00 AM)

"I have learned so much from Derek Sandhaus over the years, and Drunk in China is no exception. It's not just about baijiu--although it offers a master class on the subject. It's about China and its history, culture, and relationship with the West, told through the perspective of a witty, generous storyteller."--Clay Risen, deputy opinion editor at the New York Times and author of Single Malt: A Guide to the Whiskies of Scotland
-- (2/23/2019 12:00:00 AM)

"An engaging introduction to baijiu, the world's biggest selling spirit, Sandhaus gives the reader as much historical and societal context as he does entertainment."--Millie Milliken, Imbibe-- (4/2/2020 12:00:00 AM)

"Derek Sandhaus offers a rollicking, hard-drinking exploration of baijiu, China's national tipple."--Janet Brown, Shelf Awareness-- (12/6/2019 12:00:00 AM)

"If his aim is to encourage greater consumption of the fiery booze, his enthusiastic writing and raucous tales are likely to do the trick."--Jeremiah Jenne, World of Chinese-- (4/6/2020 12:00:00 AM)

"It's a fun journey."--Wall Street Journal


"This is bound to become the go-to guide on how China's national drink is produced, con­sumed and marketed, charting its history, culture and effects."--Mike Cormack, South China Morning Post-- (11/28/2019 12:00:00 AM)

"Who knew that the history of China was so wrapped up in its drinking culture? This ramble through time and geography is an intoxicating romp through a boozy China. Sandhaus's ability to turn a phrase keeps us laughing all the way."--Scott D. Seligman, author of The First Chinese American-- (2/23/2019 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Derek Sandhaus has published four books on Chinese history and culture, most recently Baijiu: The Essential Guide to Chinese Spirits. In 2018 Sandhaus co-founded Ming River Sichuan Baijiu in partnership with China's oldest continually operational distillery. He serves as Ming River's communications director and as the editor at drinkbaijiu.com. He lives with his wife and dog in Washington, DC.