If you have a passing interest in either US history or rum, then this is an excellent read. The author walks through US history, from the pre-revolutionary days of the triangle trade, up through the Tiki Bar era to rum’s current resurgence. Each chapter begins with a cocktail from the period, and the book is well-researched and equally well-written.

If you thought of rum as limited to tropical islands, Cuba Libre’s, and assorted umbrella drinks, this book will not only change that perception, but teach you a bit of history and offer a new cocktail or interesting rum to sample from the thoughtful index of rums in the appendix.

Highly recommended.