Cooking with Booze is quite simply about eating and drinking, though not necessarily in that order. With its cheeky 20-something perspective, Cooking with Booze delivers a menu of contemporary urban fare complemented by hearty classics. From brunch to desserts, risottos to barbecue, it's a book that sees the liquor cabinet as an extension of the spice rack. Each of the nearly 100 recipes takes advantage of the unique and complex flavours of wines, beer and spirits, and includes a "cocktail to cook by." Try the: Grand Marnier French Toast Lime Tequila Shrimp Roasted Red Pepper Gazpacho Champagne and French Herb Risotto Royal Beefeater Burgers Roast Pork with Peaches and Ginger B-52 Cupcakes Developed for the everyday cook, the recipes are skillfully narrated to help readers develop their own "cooking with booze" sensibility. Featuring full-colour artwork by renowned Toronto photographer Geoffrey Ross, Cooking with Booze contains conversation starters, tips and a collection of themed get-togethers, ranging from a Robbie Burns Scotch tasting to a romantic midsummer night's picnic. The book is capped off with an alcohol index that includes flavour notes, alcohol content and suggested substitutions for almost every type of booze on the planet.

Ryan Jennings is an entertainment expert, food stylist and freelance writer.

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