Southern Spirits: Four Hundred Years of Drinking in the American South, with Recipes

Great read. Well written. Kurlansky-style storytelling.

Well researched and interesting read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but was disappointed with the author's prejudiced writing. There's no disputing that Jack Daniels was the number one selling whiskey in the south, if not the US, and yet he never mentions it until the final chapter. He ignored New Orleans, like it doesn't exist until he feels like talking about it midway through the book, however being a New Orleanian with a Tennessee father, i thoroughly enjoyed it, while feeling he thinks the south is just three states; South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. Bought two copies, one for my son and one for myself, but won't waste my money on other books by him.

Great storytelling and myth debunking. And a great addition to my bar books!

Is this the best book I will read in 2016? It's only May so it's hard to predict, but believe me, "Southern Spirits" will be hard to beat. This is a scholarly book written with humor and style. Mr. Moss, an historian and journalist living in Charleston, South Carolina, crams plenty of detail into a graceful and easy to read text.Each chapter begins with an authentic drink suggestion to celebrate the period or fashion under discussion. There are a few appealing suggestions, but most reflect the rough and tumble and hugely alcoholic habits of the American past. Consider this tidbit from the website of Colonial Williamsburg, "in 1790, United States government figures showed that annual per-capita alcohol consumption for everybody over fifteen amounted to thirty-four gallons of beer and cider, five gallons of distilled spirits, and one gallon of wine." Yikes! But when there isn't any clean water, alcohol will suffice.The whole book is a treat to read but I, who grew up in a wet county next to a dry county, found the extensive history of Prohibition to be particularly interesting. The rise and fall of Maderia wine was also fascinating. The descriptions of the adulterants commonly used to "improve" rough alcohol reminded me happily of our modern food safety laws. And now as I watch Kentucky Derby hoopla, I can sneer knowingly at the sissified modern Julep.This is a tremendous book and I urge you to read it.I received a review copy of "Southern spirits: Four hundred years of drinking in the American South, with recipes" by Robert Moss (Random House) through NetGalley.com.

Southern Spirits covers "four hundred years of drinking in the American South," and it doesn't miss one detail! This is a really interesting book with lots and lots of historical facts, but it feels more like a textbook than a relaxing read. It takes us from first landing in America in the 1500's though colonization, the Revolutionary War, Civil War, prohibition, and on into the later 1900's. Not only do we learn about crops to make wine, beer, and spirits, we gain insight into other crops that were more popular, like tobacco. I also very much enjoyed the pictures throughout: vintage shots of advertisements, portraits, and early distillery practices.This book reads more like a history book that uses the development of alcohol as it's path. I would prefer a condensed version or one that reads less like a textbook, but this one is manageable in small doses. If you're a fan of history or really into spirits and their background, this book is for you. More info on the book can be found here and more on the author here.I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars // The South isn't all sweet tea and enchanting drawls. It's got a long and slightly complicated history with alcohol. And thanks to Robert Moss, the history is one you can learn about while making the actual Southern spirit. This isn't your Momma's mint julep. It's the actual history of the hard ones thrown back by our ancestors.Starting each section is a recipe and while I didn't have the opportunity to partake myself, it would be perfect to create and sip on each cocktail while reading about it's main ingredient. The purpose of Southern Spirits is to highlight what we drink and why (or in some cases, how it was made), the book gives such a great glimpse into the historical South, that both drinkers and those who abstain will both be intrigued and delighted. There's no softening of the facts and Moss doesn't hesitate to take on incorrect perceptions or knock a tall tale down to size.I'm not sure if there is any other book nearly as complete as Southern Spirits for the social and drinking culture of the American South, but I doubt there is another that is as charming. By avoiding reading like a history book, it's easy to get engrossed and read almost a hundred pages before finally giving in and tracking down everything needed to make an Antebellum Mint Julep. I personally enjoyed the sections on New Orleans and the North Georgia Moonshine War (who knew) the most. I recommend picking up a copy and indulging.Review first appeared on my blog, Monograms & Margaritas.