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 glass...
Episode 6 - The Admiral, The Navy, and the Wine That Won the Day
In this episode of Intoxicating History, Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles tell the remarkable story of how Admiral Nelson, fresh from beating the French at the Battle of the Nile, stumbled upon a Sicilian wine that would fuel the Royal Navy and become the most famous wine in the world - for a while at least. Marsala wasn’t just a drink; it was a symbol of empire, ingenuity, and excess.But that’s just the start. From the scandal of Nelson’s affair with Lady Hamilton to his brutal actions in Naples, the episode unpacks the messy mix of heroism and controversy that defined the man. You’ll meet John Woodhouse, the Liverpudlian who made Marsala famous, hear about naked vineyard escapades, and learn how sailors balanced their biscuits and rum on the high seas.It’s a story of wine, war, and a little bit of scandal. Pour yourself a glass—this is history worth toasting.Supported by Taylor’s Port Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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39:15
Episode 5 - Shaken, Not Stirred: How James Bond’s Drinks Defined an Era
We’re easing out of dry January by veering off the path of hard history and into the world of a fictional hero. One in which the love of vodka martinis reflects a post-war Britain desperate for glamour and escapism. And whose creator’s obsession with detail—right down to his hero’s champagne choices—tells us as much about the author as it does about his famous spy?In this slightly geeky episode of Intoxicating History, Tom Parker Bowles and Henry Jeffreys share their love of that great British export - James Bond. They dive into how Bond’s drinking habits are a time capsule of the 1950s and ’60s. Why did author Ian Fleming insist Bond’s martinis were shaken, not stirred? How did Bond’s drinks—from Japanese sake to Jamaican rum—mirror Britain’s global reach and changing tastes? And what does a 2018 study reveal about how much Bond really drank (spoiler: it’s a lot)?With fascinating insights and plenty of laughs, this episode uncovers the cultural history hidden in Bond’s glass. Pour yourself a drink and press play—you may end up shaken but hopefully not stirred.Supported by Taylor’s Port. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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41:19
Episode 4 - Monks, Mavericks, and Murder: The Untold History of Champagne
Get ready for a sparkling journey through scandal, invention, and murder with Intoxicating History. In this episode, Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles pop the cork on the truth about champagne: Did the English actually invent it? Spoiler alert—it involves pirates, royal lovers, and a brief diversion into the wonderful world of cider. We meet Sir Kenelm Digby, the cavalier-turned-glassmaking genius who might have killed his wife with an anti-aging serum made of snake venom. From the Powder of Sympathy to the revelation that Dom Pérignon probably wasn’t the inventor of sparkling wine, this is history served effervescently. With a side of scandal and a generous pour of wit, you’ll discover how wars, eccentric inventors, and a little English ingenuity helped shape the world’s most glamorous drink. Supported by Taylor’s Port Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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40:23
Episode 3 - Pouring Power: Claret, cocktails and the Crown
In this week’s Intoxicating History, Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles dive into the opulent, often outrageous world of royal courts, where what is poured and plated isn’t just about indulgence—it shapes politics, power, and even history itself. From lavish banquets to surfeits of lampreys, and secret drinking behind closed palace doors, Henry and Tom uncover the stories of kings, queens, and clever courtiers who used food and drink as tools of influence, diplomacy, and death. Expect tales of scheming monarchs, historic alliances, and the favourite drinks that keep the wheels of royal life turning.So pull up a throne, pour yourself something suitably grand, and join us as we reveal the fascinating, intoxicating secrets of the crown.Brought to you in association with Taylor’s Port. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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46:36
Episode 2 - Flips, Punches and Corpse Revivers: Charles Dickens’ Victorian World of Drinks
This week on Intoxicating History, Tom Parker Bowles and Henry Jeffreys take us to the heart of Dickensian London, a world where every glass of gin, mug of punch, or bottle of sherry consumed by one of Charles Dickens’ characters tells us something about Victorian life. Dickens wasn’t just a master storyteller—he was a chronicler of his times. Through his vivid descriptions of food, drink, and the characters who consumed them, we get a window into the entire society: its joys, struggles, and often, its hypocrisies.From the gaslit allure of gin palaces—both refuge and ruin for London’s poor—to the moral crusades of the temperance movement, Dickens captured it all. Whether it’s Mr. Pickwick’s cheerful excess, Nancy’s bittersweet affair with gin and Bill Sykes, or the rich smells of a Christmas punch, every scene is soaked in meaning.So mix a Corpse Reviver and join us for a spirited look at Victorian society through Dickens’ brilliant writing. Intoxicating History is supported by Taylor's Port. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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