In "Empire of Booze," Henry Jeffreys distills the spirited tale of Britain's monumental influence on the world, not through battles and treaties, but through its unparalleled contributions to the global history of alcohol. With wit as sharp as a bartender's knife, Jeffreys serves up a narrative that charts the rise of British power from its modest European beginnings to a zenith of global dominance, all seen through the bottom of a glass. Each chapter uncorks a different historical epoch alongside its quintessential drink, exploring how these libations were not merely beverages but vital players in the drama of British culture, commerce, and conquest. Jeffreys offers readers a tasting menu of fascinating anecdotes and lesser-known facts that reveal how Britain's thirst for exploration and innovation fermented into alcoholic beverages that shaped the social fabric of nations far beyond its shores. From the champagne bubbles that owe their effervescence to British ingenuity, to the robust rums and India Pale Ales brewed to endure the sweltering voyages to the Empire's far-flung colonies, and the whiskeys that comforted the empire's weary architects—this is a story of how alcohol lubricated the wheels of the global economy long before the 20th century. "Empire of Booze" is a toast to the British Isles, celebrating its enduring legacy as a world-shaping force, not through the might of its armies, but through the bottles shared, savored, and sent across the seas.