Liqueur - (Edible) by Lesley Jacobs Solmonson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A guide to the cultural history of liqueurs from a celebrated spirits journalist.

The original recreational spirit, liqueurs traveled the Silk Road, awaited travelers at the Fountain of Youth, and traversed the globe from ancient times through the industrial revolution and beyond. In this thrilling exploration of liqueur's global history, Lesley Jacobs Solmonson describes how a bitter, medicinal elixir distilled by early alchemists developed into a sugar- and spice-fueled luxury for the rich before garnishing a variety of cocktails the world over. The book invites readers on a multi-faceted journey through culinary history, driven by humanity's ages-long desire for pleasure.

Review Quotes

"A refreshingly straightforward history of those sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter modifiers often used to flavor cocktails. Should you be curious where the Cointreau in your margarita comes from or where the sugar in your Cointreau comes from, Solmonson is likely to have the answer."--Eric Felten "The Wall Street Journal"

"A clear-eyed look into the fascinating tale of liqueur and all of its constituent components . . . an enlightening read."--Sother Teague, Beverage Director, Amor y Amargo

"Comprehensive and engrossing, with entertaining insights into both the familiar and uncommon of liqueurs."--Eric Seed, founder of Haus Alpenz

About the Author

Lesley Jacobs Solmonson is a spirits and cocktail journalist and curatorial consultant at the Center for Culinary Culture in Los Angeles. Her two books--including Gin: A Global History, also published by Reaktion Books--were finalists at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards.