The Café Brûlot

I'm a sucker for any drink with instructions suggesting it's wise to have a fire extinguisher nearby, but the Cafe Brulot is more than pyrotechnics. As Sue Strachan writes so well in these pages, this is a drink with a deep history, complex flavor, and a well-deserved reputation of being at once diabolical and heavenly. Wayne Curtis, author of "And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails"

Every flaming bowl of Cafe Brulot comes filled with legend and lore. Lovers of New Orleans?s celebratory cuisine will find this book an essential read as author, Sue Strachan follows its journey from the Armagnac region of Gascony to the tables of the Crescent City?s most revered culinary landmarks. Poppy Tooker, host of "Louisiana Eats!"

There is no better way to end a meal in New Orleans than with Cafe Brulot. Sue Strachan's book simply deepens the experience. Now every time I have a fragrant steaming boozy cup, I can appreciate its lore, its techniques, and its drama, as well as its satisfying taste. And when I'm not drinking a cup, reading the book is a guilt-free substitute. Elizabeth M. Williams, cofounder of the Southern Food & Beverage Museum