Intoxicating History

From the rise and fall of empires to the birth of modern diplomacy, civilization's greatest moments have been shaped by an unlikely force: what filled our glasses.

Join award-winning author Henry Jeffreys and renowned food writer Tom Parker-Bowles as they pour through history's most intoxicating stories. From Charles Dickens's beloved punch to the royal family's legendary drinks trolley, discover how alcohol has shaped civilizations, sparked wars, and sealed peace treaties.

Each episode finds our convivial hosts uncorking a different chapter of human history through the unique lens of alcohol. Whether they're recreating Dickens's beloved punch recipes, infiltrating the closely-guarded royal wine cellars, proving that the English invented champagne or discovering how Portuguese port sparked an international alliance, Henry and Tom blend scholarly insight with irreverent wit and a shared passion for historical peculiarities.

Authoritative yet wonderfully entertaining, Intoxicating History serves up serious history with a generous measure of irreverent humour. Through revolutions and peace treaties, cultural upheavals and technological breakthroughs, your hosts reveal how the contents of the glass have steered the course of history – usually while sampling the evidence, (purely for research purposes, of course!)

Whether you're a history buff, food and drink enthusiast, or simply love a well-told tale, raise a glass with us as we explore civilization's most intoxicating moments.

Pour yourself something suitable and join us for a journey through time, one drink at a time.

New episodes served weekly.

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Episoder(26)

The Grape Pretenders: A history of Wine Fraud

We are back to escort you on a rollicking journey through the world of wine fraud in “The Grape Pretenders.” In this episode, Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowlesinvite you to join us as we unravel t...

17 Apr 202543min

The Burton Snatch: Jamie Allsopp & The Ipa Revolution

In this episode of Intoxicating History, we take you on a spirited journey through the wild world of British beer. Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles, recount how a bold 1718 letter—declaring war wi...

10 Apr 202550min

From Bibles to Capone: Prohibition in the USA

Welcome to another unruly chapter of Intoxicating History with hosts, Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles. In this episode, we’re unraveling the wild, head-spinning days of America’s Prohibition era....

3 Apr 202540min

Rome Part 2: The Empire Strikes Bacchus

In this episode of Intoxicating History Tom Parker Bowles and Henry Jeffreys get together for another round of wine-fuelled storytellin, delving deeper into the indulgent, decadent world of Ancient Ro...

27 Mar 202537min

Rome Part 1: What did the Romans Ever Do for Us?

In this episode of Intoxicating History, Henry, Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles travel back 2,000 years to ancient Rome to ask the big question: What did the Romans ever do for us—wine‑wise? From Plin...

20 Mar 202539min

The Martini Files: The history of the perfect cocktail

In this episode of Intoxicating History, we get up close and personal with everything Martini as we chat with our brilliant guest, author, FT Columnist and Martini Queen, Alice Lascelles. Tom Parker B...

13 Mar 202542min

Chartreuse To ‘wreck-The-Hoose’ Juice: Monks And The Art Of Distillation

In this episode, Tom Parker Bowles and Henry Jeffreys unravel the enigmatic legacy of monastic mixology. They explore how medieval monks, driven by both spiritual devotion and scientific curiosity, tr...

6 Mar 202540min

Johnnie Walker: The Spirit That Ruled The World

In this episode of Intoxicating History, hosts Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles unscrew and pour a liberal measure of the scandalous saga of Johnnie Walker—a Scotch that started as a modest blend ...

27 Feb 202544min