The Drunken Botanist

The Plants That Create the World's Great Drinks

By: Amy Stewart

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Every great drink starts with a plant. Sake began with a grain of rice. Scotch emerged from barley. Gin was born from a conifer shrub when medieval physicians boiled juniper berries with wine to treat stomach pain. The Drunken Botanist uncovers the surprising botanical history and fascinating science and chemistry of over 150 plants, flowers, trees, and fruits (and even a few fungi).

Some of the most extraordinary and obscure plants have been fermented and distilled, and they each represent a unique cultural contribution to global drinking traditions and our history. Molasses was an essential ingredient of American independence when outrage over a mandate to buy British rather than French molasses for New World rum-making helped kindle the American Revolution. Captain James Cook harvested the young, green tips of spruce trees to make a vitamin C-rich beer that cured his crew of scurvy - a recipe that Jane Austen enjoyed so much that she used it as a plot point in Emma.

With over 50 drink recipes, growing tips for gardeners, and advice that carries Stewart's trademark wit, this is the perfect listen for gardeners and cocktail aficionados alike.

©2013 Amy Stewart. Recorded by arrangement with Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, a division of Workman Publishing Company, Inc. (P)2013 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"A rich compendium of botanical lore for cocktail lovers." ( Kirkus)

A bit too much like an encyclopedia

Not ideal for audio book format. I did learn some interesting things though! Try at your own risk.

Buy the Book

The book is full of interesting information and it covers a vast amount of different plants. Unfortunately, listening to the audiobook is like listening to someone read the encyclopedia or the phonebook. The plants are listed in alphabetical order. If I was an avid gardener, I would purchase this information as a book, place it in my bookcase, and use it as a reference when needed.

Narrator Sounds like a Nasally Stephen Hawking

If you could sum up The Drunken Botanist in three words, what would they be?

Enlightening, Historical, Informative,

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/A

Would you listen to another book narrated by Coleen Marlo?

I hope I don't have too..

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

N/A

Any additional comments?

The information and knowledge gained from this book is why I tolerated the narrator.I am starting my own vineyard, and I chose this book to enlighten me about various forms and techniques. The only issue I had was with Coleen Marlo. She sounds like a nasally Stephen Hawking. She [Coleen] almost caused me to stop listening to the book. Yes, I did learn something from this book and it was at that moment that I decided to tolerate Coleen.

Siri

I will buy the physical book. Couldn't finish this one. First, the narrator: I get no sense of a living person behind the voice. Second, the nature of the book itself: It functions better as a reference.

Four stars is generous....

Pronunciation was off for several technical words, but overall an entertaining book. Much more of an overview of plants and booze, rather than a historical account or a dive into plants complexities when involved with alcohol. Four stars is appropriate but generous.

Great idea for an entertaining book.

Would you listen to The Drunken Botanist again? Why?

No, but I would read it again.
The narrator has an annoying sing song informercial delivery.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Drunken Botanist?

Many

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Yes.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Delicious

Mixologist heaven. Had to buy three copies of the hardbound one for me two for gifts.

Distracting pronunciation

If you could sum up The Drunken Botanist in three words, what would they be?

booze trivia garden

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the writer's conceit of an encyclopedic format filled with botany, trivia and anecdotes, yet intended to be read cover-to-cover. The recipes were the lovely garnish on top, connecting information to the senses.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Coleen Marlo?

Narrating a book this full of obscure terms in multiple languages is a tall order, but I would have preferred a narrator that had done a little more phonetic research for unfamiliar terms. I'm sure that Coleen's sensual voice is a great asset to her performances in more intimate and mysterious genres.

Most enjoyable

It combines botany, anthropology, and history in a fun way. Makes you what to try all the recipes.

Fascinating history

Great content. Found the reading a bit fast so adjusted speed to 0.85x and was more understandable.