Rebellious Spirits: The Illicit History of Booze in Britain
By: Ruth Ball
Shortlisted for the Fortnum & Mason Debut Drink Book of the Year Award 2016
A delicious taste of the secret, exciting and often dangerous history of illicit spirits
Britain has always been a nation of enthusiastic drinkers. Any attempt to regulate, limit or ban our favourite tipple has been met with imaginative and daring acts of defiance: selling gin through pipes in a London back alley; smuggling brandy across Cornish clifftops; or dodging bombs and shrapnel running whisky in the Blitz.
The history of spirits in Britain has more illicit in it than licit – and that history has shaped these isles. Packed with wild stories, as well as authentic recipes from the past, Rebellious Spirits reveals the colourful characters and tall tales behind Britain’s long and lively love affair with booze.
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Full of great stories about the sordid and often lethal business of illegal alcohol
- Henry Jeffreys, The Guardian Best Drink Books of 2015 -
For boozy, literary-minded dreamers… a lively and engaging read
- Countrywives.co.uk -
Many laugh out loud moments… I absolutely loved the recipes….It’s such an interesting book that I am sure I will pick it up again for many years to come. It has certainly made drinking whisky and gin much more interesting… just the right amount of history and humour
- The Book Magnet -
An engaging, witty and informative read for anyone interested in the colourful and exciting history of booze
- Ginfestival.com