Plant of the Month: Agave
The international popularity of tequila threatens the quantity, health, and biodiversity of all species of agave.
Sour Grapes: The Pisco War
Peru and Chile both produce the grape brandy called pisco, and they both consider it their national drink.
Science Says: Alcohol Can Make You More Social
It might not sound like a shocking conclusion, but there was surprisingly little research on the question.
The Old New Trend of Sober Curiosity
Abstaining from alcohol is a new trend with a long, long history.
The Ancient Roots of Apple Cider
Alcoholic apple cider has been around for centuries. So why does "hard cider" feel like a new trend?
Is Alcoholism a Moral Failing?
Cultural explanations for alcoholism have changed significantly throughout the years, sometimes blaming social problems, sometimes psychological.
The Trouble with Absinthe
When temperance advocates won the ban on absinthe in 1915, many of them saw it as the first step in a broader anti-drinking campaign.
Why Champagne?
We use champagne to celebrate New Year's Eve and other major events. But how did the sparkling wine get such cultural cachet? (Hint: marketing helped.)
The New Sameness of Leslie Jamison’s Addiction Memoir
Leslie Jamison's The Recovering is self-aware about being the same old story, recalling the redemption narratives of Rousseau and St. Augustine.