Wayne Curtis' book, "and a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails," is just a delight to read. If only every history book could be this fun!
The author strives to take us through the history of the New World as shown through the history, evolution and development of that most quintessential of New World spirits, rum. I wasn't sure how rum fit into the history of our country, but it truly does. From colonial times, through temperance movements, Prohibition and the post-modern era, rum has been through it all. And what a driver of commerce it has been!
Curtis' writing style is wonderful. He has wit and humor; all of it is subtle. He must be the Jerry Seinfeld of history and travel literature. One example (about the privateer/buccaneer/pirate, Capt. Henry Morgan):
Most of all, retirement meant that Morgan could now frequent the rumshops more
often, regaling all with tales of his past adventures. But soon his health
declined, and even visits to the rumshops became too taxing for him. He
was confined to his estate, where he spent his days drinking with the few
friends who hadn't abandoned him. Each morning began with a bout of
vomiting. His legs were so swollen that he couldn't walk. He was
unable to urinate and often weak from diarrhea. The naturalist Hans Sloane
described him as 'lean, sallow-colored, his eyes a little yellowish and Belly
jutting out or prominent.' Captain Morgan's later life goes unmentioned in
the marketing material for his namesake rum." (p. 50)
often, regaling all with tales of his past adventures. But soon his health
declined, and even visits to the rumshops became too taxing for him. He
was confined to his estate, where he spent his days drinking with the few
friends who hadn't abandoned him. Each morning began with a bout of
vomiting. His legs were so swollen that he couldn't walk. He was
unable to urinate and often weak from diarrhea. The naturalist Hans Sloane
described him as 'lean, sallow-colored, his eyes a little yellowish and Belly
jutting out or prominent.' Captain Morgan's later life goes unmentioned in
the marketing material for his namesake rum." (p. 50)
Even when explaining the differences in the production of various spirits:
Distillation concentrates and intensifies the subtle tastes found in the
original low-alcohol product.. Brandy has thus been called the
distilled essence of wine, and whiskey the distilled essence of beer.
original low-alcohol product.. Brandy has thus been called the
distilled essence of wine, and whiskey the distilled essence of beer.
And rum? It is, as we shall see, the distilled essence of fermented
industrial waste." (p. 23-24)
industrial waste." (p. 23-24)
In any case, if you are searching for a fun historical read or even some recipes for some cocktails serving rum (but a cocktail is in actuality a drink that contains bitters), then this book is for you!
May your reading be both pleasurable and profitable.
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