Spirits Distilled: A Guide to the Ingredients Behind a Better Bottle

“As a chef, I want to know what ingredients I’m putting into my dishes, where they came from, how they were grown or raised. I want to feel and taste that connection to the source. So why not apply that same concept to your evening cocktail? Spirits Distilled is a great farm-to-bottle exploration that will make a helluva happy hour to boot." — GUY FIERI, restaurateur, author, and Emmy Award-winning television presenter

"In Spirits Distilled, Nat Harry expertly uncovers the often overlooked but vital foundation of every great drink—the finest raw materials. Blending engaging narrative with in-depth reference, this essential volume is a must-have for any spirits enthusiast’s library." — JEFFREY MORGENTHALER, award-winning bartender and author of The Bar Book

"Great for both the casual drinker and the avid spirits connoisseur, Spirits Distilled is a valuable resource that goes beyond mere reference guide to show us the intricacies of the agriculture, politics, and culture that go into every bottle of gin, vodka, tequila, and beyond. Harry’s genuine curiosity, thorough research, and welcoming approach to sharing their insights makes them the perfect guide for this delicious adventure." — EMMA JANZEN, award-winning spirits & cocktail journalist, author of The Bartender's Pantry

“The perfect primer for the for spirits enthusiasts and beginners alike. Harry expertly guides readers to think beyond the grain, delivering a wonderful world tour on the many ingredients that are transformed into our favorite beverages!” — TZVI WEISEL, The Whiskey Wash

"With deeper understanding comes a deeper appreciation for distilled spirits. Spirits Distilled fosters greater knowledge and respect for the libations we enjoy. Nat Harry has succeeded in writing a unique book that needs to exist. Whether you’re an avid enthusiast or someone who works in the spirits or hospitality industry, this is a book that needs to be added to your library." — JACOB KIPER, Drinkhacker

"Nat Harry’s ambition is to inform with depth the true nature of how our favorite spirits are made—in Spirits Distilled, Harry succeeds. With clear prose and unwavering research Harry demands we rethink what’s in our glass, delivering Spirits Distilled as a trusted, must-have resource for the origins of drink.” — DUGGAN McDONNELL, author Drinking the Devil’s Acre: A Love Letter From San Francisco & Her Cocktails

"Spirits Distilled is a new view of booze from the ground up. Beyond illuminating the plants, people, and production of all the major spirits categories, Nat Harry’s thoughtful recommendations should empower us to make better choices in the liquor aisle." — CAMPER ENGLISH, author of Doctors and Distillers, publisher of Alcademics.com

"A book that is both as detailed and geeky as it is approachable and digestible. Helpful graphs and breakdowns keep it fun, while categorizing by ingredient is an approach that reminds us all how important it is to know what goes into a bottle, just as we want to know what's in the food we eat. Nat has blessedly written a drink book we didn't yet have—and needed." —VIRGINIA MILLER, Dining/Spirits/Cocktail/Wine Writer and Judge, Founder of The Perfect Spot

Do you know what's in your drink? Which grains go into your favorite Bourbon? What makes an artisanal Tequila? Or why molasses-based rum is so different in flavor from its sugarcane juice counterpart?

In ​Spirits Distilled, San Francisco World Spirits judge and spirits educator Nat Harry travels the world from Oaxaca and Islay to Okinawa and Louisville to showcase elixirs from the ground up­ – from the raw ingredients and skilled hands that form the backbone of the world’s most popular (and underappreciated) spirits. Filled with maps, photos, infographics, and bottle and cocktail recommendations.

ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-958510-01-8

Dimensions: 7.25 x 9

Page Count: 316

Price: $34.95

Food, Wine & Spirits / Guidebook

Publication date: November 12, 2024

NAT HARRY is a cocktail professional with more than 20 years’ experience in the beverage industry. They fell in love with artisan spirits in the course of running the farm to table bar program at Berkeley’s Revival Bar & Kitchen and curating the spirits portfolio as a buyer for fine spirits distributor Cask. Harry has been a judge for the San Francisco World Spirits Competition since 2020 and is currently serving as Director of Education for the US Bartenders’ Guild’s San Francisco chapter.