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How to Drink
In the past few decades, many of us have become sophisticated about food, but we have not given the same attention to what we drink. In How to Drink , Victoria Moore aims to redress the balance, by showing how to drink well throughout the seasons and at all times of day.
She explains how to make the most delicious coffee and juices; how to choose wine that complements your food; and how to make cocktails for every occasion--whether to serve a garden barbecue, as a cold weather aperitif, or just to unwind with at the end of the day.
Here are recipes for mint juleps in the spring, sloe gin in the autumn, hot buttered rum in the winter, and year-round showstoppers including the world's best gin and tonic. Moore is also an impassioned advocate of unfairly maligned drinks such as sherry, Campari and saki, and gives fascinating historical background on different spirits as well as invaluable advice on creating your home bar.
How to Drink is a hugely readable, browseable and authoritative handbook, whose aim is to inform, entertain and crucially, make sure you can find the right drink at the right time.
"It doesn't need to be either difficult or expensive to drink as well as you eat, it just requires a little care..."
"A splendid book. Victoria Moore is quite right--it's not how much you drink but how you drink." --Fergus Henderson, chef and co-owner, St. Johns Restaurant
"I loved How to Drink . For the first time in years I have broken open a bottle of vodka for a Bloody Mary, remembered how much better mulled cider is than mulled wine, drawn a fresh kettle for tea..." --Joanna Weinberg, author of How to Feed Your Friends with Relish
"Anyone who loves their food should heed this unmatchable tutorial in the art of enjoying drink; Victoria Moore succinctly puts every sip in lively context, banishing the guilt from the pleasure of it all." --Rose Prince, author of The New English Kitchen
She explains how to make the most delicious coffee and juices; how to choose wine that complements your food; and how to make cocktails for every occasion--whether to serve a garden barbecue, as a cold weather aperitif, or just to unwind with at the end of the day.
Here are recipes for mint juleps in the spring, sloe gin in the autumn, hot buttered rum in the winter, and year-round showstoppers including the world's best gin and tonic. Moore is also an impassioned advocate of unfairly maligned drinks such as sherry, Campari and saki, and gives fascinating historical background on different spirits as well as invaluable advice on creating your home bar.
How to Drink is a hugely readable, browseable and authoritative handbook, whose aim is to inform, entertain and crucially, make sure you can find the right drink at the right time.
"It doesn't need to be either difficult or expensive to drink as well as you eat, it just requires a little care..."
"A splendid book. Victoria Moore is quite right--it's not how much you drink but how you drink." --Fergus Henderson, chef and co-owner, St. Johns Restaurant
"I loved How to Drink . For the first time in years I have broken open a bottle of vodka for a Bloody Mary, remembered how much better mulled cider is than mulled wine, drawn a fresh kettle for tea..." --Joanna Weinberg, author of How to Feed Your Friends with Relish
"Anyone who loves their food should heed this unmatchable tutorial in the art of enjoying drink; Victoria Moore succinctly puts every sip in lively context, banishing the guilt from the pleasure of it all." --Rose Prince, author of The New English Kitchen
344 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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246 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 12, 2013
I went with the lower rating for this (I was so tempted by "it was amazing!") purely because I felt a bit silly giving it an amazing rating. Which is, frankly, ridiculous. But, that is how it goes.
Anyway, I really did love this book. Even the bits about drinks I don't enjoy. I read, and enjoyed, an entire chapter about whisky, which is a drink I want to like and just don't despite trying it again and again in different forms. There was an entire chapter on tea! And it included parts on how teabag tea is, in fact, perfectly appropriate tea to drink - look, I adore loose-leaf tea, but at about half past eight each evening I want a mug of miner's tea (which I guess is builder's tea to anyone who isn't the daughter and granddaughter of miners) and I do not want a nice cup of loose-leaf darjeeling. And, oh, a chapter on gin and tonic! And stuff about gimlets and gin slings. I think the only downside to this book is that it left me, sitting in bed at half-past ten in the evening, desperately craving a gimlet.
I read this in a library copy, but I think I'm going to have to buy it. It's very dippable into. In fact, it reminded me very much of reading Elisabeth Luard's European Peasant Cookery, which is one of those cookbooks that I read frequently but rarely cook anything from.
Anyway, I really did love this book. Even the bits about drinks I don't enjoy. I read, and enjoyed, an entire chapter about whisky, which is a drink I want to like and just don't despite trying it again and again in different forms. There was an entire chapter on tea! And it included parts on how teabag tea is, in fact, perfectly appropriate tea to drink - look, I adore loose-leaf tea, but at about half past eight each evening I want a mug of miner's tea (which I guess is builder's tea to anyone who isn't the daughter and granddaughter of miners) and I do not want a nice cup of loose-leaf darjeeling. And, oh, a chapter on gin and tonic! And stuff about gimlets and gin slings. I think the only downside to this book is that it left me, sitting in bed at half-past ten in the evening, desperately craving a gimlet.
I read this in a library copy, but I think I'm going to have to buy it. It's very dippable into. In fact, it reminded me very much of reading Elisabeth Luard's European Peasant Cookery, which is one of those cookbooks that I read frequently but rarely cook anything from.
September 18, 2010
A fun book about drinking the best of everything--cocktails, spirits, coffee, tea, etc. The British author breaks it down seasonally and includes great recipes for drinks, plus a few for food to accompany it.
December 2, 2011
Informative while keeping the writing style light and adventuresome. Nice read.
August 22, 2021
This is a cozy little book, published in 2009 or so. The author's intent is to pay as much attention to what we drink as we do to what we eat, and she covers the gamut from coffee and tea to cocktails.
Some of what she says makes sense, but every now and then she branches off into a Lifehacker/Buzzfeed sort of "do this, not that," which may have been fresher in 2009 but is now a bit stale. I am weary of someone who tastes things for a living telling me I'm doing it wrong because I don't live up to his/her refined standard.
That being said, the book is full of simple recipes, some take-it-or-leave-it advice, and was short enough to read in a day.
If you read this, evaluate her advice, use what makes sense to you, take a few recipes, and you will have taken all this book has to offer.
Some of what she says makes sense, but every now and then she branches off into a Lifehacker/Buzzfeed sort of "do this, not that," which may have been fresher in 2009 but is now a bit stale. I am weary of someone who tastes things for a living telling me I'm doing it wrong because I don't live up to his/her refined standard.
That being said, the book is full of simple recipes, some take-it-or-leave-it advice, and was short enough to read in a day.
If you read this, evaluate her advice, use what makes sense to you, take a few recipes, and you will have taken all this book has to offer.
November 30, 2025
Interesting, highly readable and very comprehensive, How to Drink deals with coffee, tea, tonic water, cocktails and (superficially) wine and spirits. There's plenty of advice and food for thought, though take the ladies-and-gentlemen-this-is-the-way-it's-done style as simply that, an almost de rigeur style adopted by the food influencer. Got a lot out of it but Moore will never convince this reader that the perfect Bloody Mary contains a very small dash of Worcestershire Sauce...
August 13, 2017
Frothy, light entertainment with a bit of a fruity edge. There's a couple of receipts in here which are like gold, which has bumps up the rating a bit, but I personally found the body to be a bit heavy on the meaty side (not good for vegetarians). If you love food a drink, it will be your cup of tea.
May 31, 2020
Inspired me to buy a lot of alcohol and will hence serve as my benchmark for cocktail books
June 25, 2014
I’m all for knocking back a few 32 oz. mugs of the local brew pub’s finest pale ale every now and then, but I couldn’t tell you the last time I ordered a cocktail. Therefore, I found “How to Drink” intriguing as well as informative, and also appropriate seeing how New Year’s Eve is right around the corner.
Moore is touted as Britain’s brightest young wine critic, however in this book she also touches on numerous other alcoholic beverages, as well as tea, lemonade, coffee and numerous fruity drinks. She organizes her choices by season, believing that certain drinks taste better during certain weather.
Moore admits that she barely even talks about beer in this book, because she’s not a beer drinker, and also because there could be numerous other volumes written about that particular beverage. She does focus quite a bit on wine, the various colors and flavors, what shape of glass each type should be drunk from, and what temperature the wine should be served at, as well as what season and food each type goes best with.
My favorite part of this book is when she talks about cocktails and gives various recipes. She is somewhat vague in her recipes at times, preferring to let the reader decide which brand of each liquor to use so as not to limit the recipe or the drinker. I was quite interested in the drinks she makes using pomegranate juice, or simply pomegranate seeds. One drink she recommends is a glass of vodka with a good spoonful of fresh pomegranate seeds served very cold. She calls this a pomegranate vodkatini, claiming since it’s not made with gin it cannot be properly called a martini.
I also learned how to use a French press to make coffee, which reminded me I still need to get my cappucino/espresso maker out to start to master during this holiday break. Moore schools us in the difference in coffee beans, yet says most important of all, never let your beans go stale. If they’re more than two weeks old, get rid of them. Good to know.
I did find a few drinks that I might serve at my next cocktail party, however for me most of this book is about the novelty of the cutesy typography and the neat graphic design. I might venture out for a margarita now and then, or even a vodkatini of one sort or another. I’m probably not going to get fancy with Moore’s recommendations of mixed drinks made with egg whites, English tea, nor the British spirits I’ve never heard of like Hendrick’s or Campari, but it was interesting reading about these drinks and how the sophisticated people party.
Moore is touted as Britain’s brightest young wine critic, however in this book she also touches on numerous other alcoholic beverages, as well as tea, lemonade, coffee and numerous fruity drinks. She organizes her choices by season, believing that certain drinks taste better during certain weather.
Moore admits that she barely even talks about beer in this book, because she’s not a beer drinker, and also because there could be numerous other volumes written about that particular beverage. She does focus quite a bit on wine, the various colors and flavors, what shape of glass each type should be drunk from, and what temperature the wine should be served at, as well as what season and food each type goes best with.
My favorite part of this book is when she talks about cocktails and gives various recipes. She is somewhat vague in her recipes at times, preferring to let the reader decide which brand of each liquor to use so as not to limit the recipe or the drinker. I was quite interested in the drinks she makes using pomegranate juice, or simply pomegranate seeds. One drink she recommends is a glass of vodka with a good spoonful of fresh pomegranate seeds served very cold. She calls this a pomegranate vodkatini, claiming since it’s not made with gin it cannot be properly called a martini.
I also learned how to use a French press to make coffee, which reminded me I still need to get my cappucino/espresso maker out to start to master during this holiday break. Moore schools us in the difference in coffee beans, yet says most important of all, never let your beans go stale. If they’re more than two weeks old, get rid of them. Good to know.
I did find a few drinks that I might serve at my next cocktail party, however for me most of this book is about the novelty of the cutesy typography and the neat graphic design. I might venture out for a margarita now and then, or even a vodkatini of one sort or another. I’m probably not going to get fancy with Moore’s recommendations of mixed drinks made with egg whites, English tea, nor the British spirits I’ve never heard of like Hendrick’s or Campari, but it was interesting reading about these drinks and how the sophisticated people party.
May 14, 2011
I am slightly conflicted on this. For one it really isn't much of a book, once you take off the hard cover and get rid of the pretty big print illustrations, index and other padding it's a collection of scribbled notes (or bits of old journalism) and not really something I suspect most people read cover to cover, though I did.
Here's what I liked about the book:
Moore makes the case early on that we devote an enormous amount of literature to food - but despite a few specialised areas (wine or perhaps whisky) we pay remarkably little attention to what we drink. That is a simple and brilliant observation largely why I've given it 4 stars.
The book is divided into the four seasons, which is an interesting way of thinking about drinks and I rather like the sensuous notion that in winter you might seek something warming but also something "glamorous for dark days" like Atlantic white wines.
The drink recipes she includes are well though out and not doesn't pursue pointlessly complex recipes with exotic ingredients.
Here's what I don't like about the book:
The section on coffee contain mistakes and when she write about food pairings you rather get the impression that she knows her booze better than her cookery. Whenever I read a book of this sort, it contains the kind of Sunday supplement journalism that gets a bit well, up itself. Every now and again you may feel the urge to shout “it’s just a bloody drink.” Still a danger of the genre I suppose.
Worth a read if you want a single volume.
Here's what I liked about the book:
Moore makes the case early on that we devote an enormous amount of literature to food - but despite a few specialised areas (wine or perhaps whisky) we pay remarkably little attention to what we drink. That is a simple and brilliant observation largely why I've given it 4 stars.
The book is divided into the four seasons, which is an interesting way of thinking about drinks and I rather like the sensuous notion that in winter you might seek something warming but also something "glamorous for dark days" like Atlantic white wines.
The drink recipes she includes are well though out and not doesn't pursue pointlessly complex recipes with exotic ingredients.
Here's what I don't like about the book:
The section on coffee contain mistakes and when she write about food pairings you rather get the impression that she knows her booze better than her cookery. Whenever I read a book of this sort, it contains the kind of Sunday supplement journalism that gets a bit well, up itself. Every now and again you may feel the urge to shout “it’s just a bloody drink.” Still a danger of the genre I suppose.
Worth a read if you want a single volume.
February 28, 2011
I can't remember where I got the tip for this book. It was either online somewhere or a newspaper article. I'm just really glad I followed it up.
This is a book that helps to fill the whole in the drinks world not covered by wine or cocktails. The food world is well served by the number of books dedicated to it. The drinks world is badly served in comparison. If you're looking for a book on wine, well you could choose from 100's of titles. Cocktail recipe book, hundreds. But not every drink is wine or a cocktail.
This book looks at times of year and what drinks suit the seasons. It also gives recommendations for foods to suit those drinks. There are plenty of recipes for drinks in there. Some you'll know, many you won't. Soft drinks are given plenty of time too. As are tea and coffee. Wine and cocktails are there but don't takle over the whole book. They are mentioned where they should be.
This book is probably going to cost me a fair few bob as I work through the ones I need to try. Also the ones I need to do properly, rather than the corrupt versions we have become used to. I've already managed one. A Campari Spritzer in Northern Italy. Wrong time of year but the right place.
I heartily recommend this book to anyone with an interest in food and drink. It is definitely going to add flair to my dinner parties, BBQs, Girls Nights, etc.
This is a book that helps to fill the whole in the drinks world not covered by wine or cocktails. The food world is well served by the number of books dedicated to it. The drinks world is badly served in comparison. If you're looking for a book on wine, well you could choose from 100's of titles. Cocktail recipe book, hundreds. But not every drink is wine or a cocktail.
This book looks at times of year and what drinks suit the seasons. It also gives recommendations for foods to suit those drinks. There are plenty of recipes for drinks in there. Some you'll know, many you won't. Soft drinks are given plenty of time too. As are tea and coffee. Wine and cocktails are there but don't takle over the whole book. They are mentioned where they should be.
This book is probably going to cost me a fair few bob as I work through the ones I need to try. Also the ones I need to do properly, rather than the corrupt versions we have become used to. I've already managed one. A Campari Spritzer in Northern Italy. Wrong time of year but the right place.
I heartily recommend this book to anyone with an interest in food and drink. It is definitely going to add flair to my dinner parties, BBQs, Girls Nights, etc.
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January 12, 2014Dacă o gospodină adevărată trebuie să ştie cum se prepară, aranjează & servesc cel mai bine zecile de borcane de pe rafturi, la fel de bine ar trebui să înveţe acum cum se păstreze (tot pe rafturi) sticlele de băuturi şi cum se le servească precis asortate la mâncărurile deja învăţate – spune Victoria Moore.
Şi citind Ce bem? Totul despre băuturile alcoolice şi nealcoolice mi s-a confirmat ce bănuiam deja: cu băutu’ nu te joci sau, mai simlu, băutu’ nu e treabă uşoară. E un ritual! Nu vorbim acum de tabieturile alcoolice şi nonalcoolice ale celor pentru care o masă bună poate însemna şi o shaorma mare, cafeaua merge şi uitată în filtru de pe o zi pe alta, vinul casei le e ajuns… E, ca să nu ne mai învârtim în jurul cozii, o carte pentru cunoscători: cei suficient de pretenţioşi şi preţioşi cu felul în care li se aduce la masă vinul: în ce fel de pahar, cu ce garnitură. (continuarea cronicii: http://bookaholic.ro/chiar-asa-ce-bem...)
Şi citind Ce bem? Totul despre băuturile alcoolice şi nealcoolice mi s-a confirmat ce bănuiam deja: cu băutu’ nu te joci sau, mai simlu, băutu’ nu e treabă uşoară. E un ritual! Nu vorbim acum de tabieturile alcoolice şi nonalcoolice ale celor pentru care o masă bună poate însemna şi o shaorma mare, cafeaua merge şi uitată în filtru de pe o zi pe alta, vinul casei le e ajuns… E, ca să nu ne mai învârtim în jurul cozii, o carte pentru cunoscători: cei suficient de pretenţioşi şi preţioşi cu felul în care li se aduce la masă vinul: în ce fel de pahar, cu ce garnitură. (continuarea cronicii: http://bookaholic.ro/chiar-asa-ce-bem...)
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July 29, 2011Fun book, and both my son and I read it--I think he liked it more, and learned more from it. The stories are funny, and the information is solid--kind of a British centric world view followed by a leaning towards European view of beverages--but that said, it depicts it well. She has a much better handle on gin than either bourbon or tequila, for example, and actually has a half a dozen things to do with Campari (some of which sound intriguing, I might add). The food pairings are reasonable, if not terribly imaginative--they give the uninitiated reader an idea of what might classically work well with each type of drink--the recipes are not fabulous, but they are largely acceptable. It is a great read about the world of drink, well worth picking up, and very quick.
June 17, 2014
I just don't read this kind of stuff. The snobbery is strong with this one, and when the author actually makes fun of others writers/critics for their snobbery? Oi!
I mostly read it for some mix of reading something completely different, and for my own writing background, like for a voice I don't think I could quite capture myself.
I guess it makes a okay introductory primer for a slew of foodie books out there. I got what I needed from the tone and voice of the book, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it to anyone else.
Was an amazing veal recipe in there we're going to try, however....
I mostly read it for some mix of reading something completely different, and for my own writing background, like for a voice I don't think I could quite capture myself.
I guess it makes a okay introductory primer for a slew of foodie books out there. I got what I needed from the tone and voice of the book, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it to anyone else.
Was an amazing veal recipe in there we're going to try, however....
December 28, 2010
It was free on my new Kindle so thought I'd give that a shot before I blew any money on it. That said, this book is fascinating. I read the whole thing in a day without realizing it - and I'm fairly certain that wasn't due to the novelty of my new smug reading device. She breaks down everything and makes me want to become a drink snob. I'll likely be revisiting some of the seemingly exotic yet highly accessible drink recipes here.
January 21, 2011
Downloaded this because it was free and it seemed like an interesting premise. It wasn't really the book I was looking for though - it's mainly cocktail recipes with a little background prose. I wish there had been more attention given to non-alcoholic drinks. I wish there had been parts about drinking rituals like toasts and cheersing and what have you. I wish there had been a discussion of bottles and cans and the rare instances when the can is what you want. But at least it was free.
February 18, 2016
This book is extremely readable, while also providing plenty of recipes and essential information about brewing coffee and tea, choosing wine, and stocking your bar. There’s something for everyone, from how to make Campari less bitter to why you shouldn’t drink Champagne in a fluted glass. I loved that the book is organized by season, which took me back to the days where you could tell what time of year it was by whether I was drinking a gin & tonic or a bourbon & ginger. Good times.
August 31, 2012
A humorous and opinionated ride through drinking, alone and with guests. Heavy on alcoholic beverages, but also with thoughts on tea, coffee, and non-alcoholic refreshers (and even some recipes for food). At times its Englishness was a foreign language (especially in phrases and brands), but it was overall delightful and I hope I do not quite get to all the drink she has recommended. At least this weekend.
January 3, 2011
I really liked this book, simply because it puts into prose the history and origin of all types of beverage. Cookbooks are a tremendous amount of fun for me, and there are recipes for drinks and accompaniements all through this book.
February 16, 2011
This is just a gorgeous little book, both for the content and the illustrations which are comprised entirely of antique type.
July 12, 2011
Lovely, creative and full of must have info! I really don't say this very often, but I need to own this book!!
February 20, 2013
This is easy reading, fast, and absolutely brilliant. I enjoyed every second, and I have referred to it in conversation ever since. Excellent journalist, who writes a great book.
November 5, 2013
I never thought I'd see the day when I'd feel the need to read a tome telling me how to drink.. Its a lovely book. I especially liked the tea and coffee advice.
June 3, 2014
If you are interested in drinking!
October 30, 2016
I love Victoria's wine column in The Guardian and this is a comprehensive canter through all types of beverage. Bit brief perhaps.
October 16, 2021
This book gave me some good ideas for new drinks to try (and some ideas how to improve some old standards).
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews