And a Bottle of Rum

The newly updated edition of And a Bottle of Rum offers a lively exploration of rum, a quintessentially American spirit. Wayne Curtis, a columnist covering spirits and cocktails, delves into the vibrant history of rum, illustrating how a spirit once derived from the byproducts of the sugar trade has permeated every layer of New World society. The narrative spans from the rum-soaked days of 1700s sailors to the lively mojito-filled nights of Havana's bars. Curtis ushers readers through the American colonies’ taverns, where rum served as both a potent drink and a financial backbone for the Revolution, to the marauding pirate ships near Central America, the lively clubs of Cuba before Castro, and the tiki bars that defined 1950s America with their quirky charm. Along this journey, readers encounter sugar barons and their Caribbean conquests, a pit stop by Paul Revere for a sip mid-ride, Prohibitionists standing firm against "demon rum," Ernest Hemingway indulging in daiquiris, and modern bartenders reviving classic cocktails like the Planter's Punch. In today's era, where microbrews and single-malt whiskeys are in vogue, rum—formerly just an everyday drink—has ascended to a favorite among discerning drinkers. The book concludes with cocktail recipes for aspiring taste adventurers, making history as engaging and spirited as the drink itself.