Spirits and wine have been in literature and poetry since time immemorial. Homer’s phrase “a wine dark sea” and, of course, Scotch Drink by Robert Burns are just two examples.
LET other poets raise a fracas
“Bout vines, an’ wines, an’ drucken Bacchus,
An’ crabbit names an’stories wrack us,
An’ grate our lug:
I sing the juice Scotch bear can mak us,
In glass or jug.
O thou, my muse! guid auld Scotch drink!
Whether thro’ wimplin worms thou jink,
Or, richly brown, ream owre the brink,
In glorious faem,
Inspire me, till I lisp an’ wink…
Holidays are the time to enjoy spirit and food combinations found at no other time of the year. Nowadays you can add cinnamon and candy cane flavored beverages to your list of holiday tipples. (Hallowe’en, for me, has become slightly bothersome as everything is pumpkin spiced, even the pumpkins.) If you’re looking for some holiday beverage help, the Library has books for you. Below you’ll find a variety of interesting books to help you navigate your seasonal get togethers and parties.
‘Tis the time of year to hear a lot of talk about mulled wine and wassail. Here are some selections on wine to help you pair it with food, make your own, or become an amateur sommelier.
Cheese and Wine: a guide to selecting, pairing and enjoying by Janet Fletcher
From Vines to Wines: the complete guide to growing grapes and making your own wine by Jeff Cox
Some prefer beer instead; for those who do, here are some selections to help you brew, choose and serve all the malty goodness with food for friends and family.
The Beer Lovers Table: seasonal recipes and modern beer pairings by Claire Bullen
Beer and Food Matching: bringing together the finest food and the best craft beers in the world by Mark Dredge
Beer at My Table: recipes, beer styles and food pairings by Tonia Wilson
Mastering Home Brew: the complete guide to brewing delicious beer by Randy Mosher
Mixing drinks is also a very popular pastime during the season, and the Library has a good selection of books to help you become a certified mixer or bartender.
The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog Drinks Manual by Sean Muldoon
Cocktails for the Holidays: festive drinks to celebrate the season by Lara Ferroni
Hot Toddies: warming winter drinks for chilly days by Louise Pickford
The Cocktail Companion: a guide to cocktail history, culture, trivia and favorite drinks by Cheryl Charming
Since I reference the Robert Burns poem Scotch Drink at the beginning of my piece, I can’t forget to list a few books on that most fiery of Scottish drinks:
Single Malt and Scotch Whiskey by Daniel Lerner
Brander’s Guide to Scotch Whisky by Michael Brander
I wish you all a very festive holiday season and don’t forget to please recycle all your glass bottles. As a suggestion, you could build a wall of glass bottles and call it the wall of departed spirits.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Andrew
Readers' Salon 