Shag's Around the World in 80 Drinks: Cocktails from Athens to Zanzibar : Book Review

"Shag's Around the World in 80 Drinks" by Adam Rocke is an incredibly captivating travelogue that takes readers on an exciting global adventure through the lens of cocktails. Rocke's engaging storytelling and intimate writing style introduce us to a wide variety of drinks from different countries, sharing their fascinating histories, cultural significance, and personal anecdotes.

Divided into eighty chapters, each focused on a unique drink and its country of origin, Rocke skillfully combines historical and cultural anecdotes with his own experiences to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of each drink's cultural context. Whether it's the classic margarita in Mexico or the iconic sake in Japan, the author's passion and knowledge shine through in every chapter.

One of the book's greatest strengths is Rocke's ability to transport readers to the destinations he writes about. Through vivid descriptions of landscapes, vibrant bar scenes, and bustling markets, he creates a strong sense of place, allowing readers to feel fully immersed in the local culture.

"Shag's Around the World in 80 Drinks" also doubles as a valuable reference book for cocktail enthusiasts. Each chapter includes a detailed recipe for the featured drink, making it easy for readers to recreate the experience at home. Additionally, the book features a glossary of cocktail terms and a curated list of recommended bars and distilleries around the world, adding further practicality and usefulness.

Overall, Adam Rocke's "Shag's Around the World in 80 Drinks" is a delightful blend of travelogue, history, and mixology. It is a must-read for anyone interested in travel, cocktails, or both. With its engaging writing style and wealth of information, this book promises to take readers on an enlightening journey around the globe, one sip at a time.

What are readers saying?

Shag's Around the World in 80 Drinks by Adam Rocke has garnered mixed but mostly positive feedback from readers. The book takes readers on a fascinating global journey, exploring 80 different beverages from various countries. The unique concept of the book has been widely appreciated, with many readers finding it both interesting and educational. They commend the way the book delves into the cultural significance and historical background of each beverage, effectively transporting readers to different parts of the world.

Adam Rocke's writing style has also received praise from several reviewers. They find it engaging and entertaining, with the author's injection of humor and personal anecdotes making the book a delightful and easy read. Readers also appreciate Rocke's passion for mixology and extensive knowledge of drinks, which shine through his writing.

A group of readers, especially cocktail enthusiasts and bartenders, find this book to be a valuable resource. The detailed recipes and instructions provided for each drink enable them to recreate the beverages at home, and they find the inclusion of tips and variations to be particularly helpful.

While the book has garnered mostly positive reviews, a few readers have expressed some concerns. They feel that the book lacks depth in certain areas and wished for more comprehensive historical and cultural information about the drinks. Additionally, some readers found the organization of the book slightly confusing, with the drinks not presented in a clear order.

A small number of readers felt that the book's target audience was not clearly defined. They found it to be too basic for those already knowledgeable about mixology, yet not comprehensive enough for those seeking in-depth knowledge on the subject.

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