What’s this about a drinks book?

It’s my new book, Alpine Elixirs! And it’s all about Swiss drinks!

Where can I buy it?

I’m so glad you asked!

At the moment, you can buy it directly from the publisher, Bergli Books in English, German, and French, or at fine Swiss bookshops, in house or online. Starting in fall 2024 it will be available in North American bookshops too!

What kind of drinks are in this book?

All your favourite Swiss drinks!

Most, Milchkaffee, Ovo, Oeil de Perdrix? They’re in there. Rivella? Of course. Want to make some cocktails out of that bottle of kirsch or Williams you have lying around? I’ve got recipes.

But wait, that’s not all!

Want to learn about the history of the Swiss beer cartel? How about Switzerland’s most notorious drink, absinthe? There are Swiss drinking vessels too—from ceramic apple juice cups to the little painted jugs for Ticinese Merlot to the little barrel around a St Bernard’s neck. Do you love Swiss milk and want to know the top names for Swiss cows last year? You’ll find that here.

Where are the recipes from?

It depends on the drink.

I used lots of old cookbooks and textbooks to find recipes, got some great ones from friends and producers, and developed some on my own.

Wait, didn’t you write a drinks book before?

I did! Drink like the Swiss was published in 2018. This new book borrows from that one, but instead of my hand-drawn illustrations, I have full colour photos. Some of the text and recipes are in both books, but this new one is expanded, and features many Swiss drink producers as well.

Who did the photography?

I did the styling and most of the photography myself. My husband Sam took some of the photos on location, including possibly my favourite cow photo ever, above. Thanks Sam!

What else is in the book?

Besides photos and recipes there is the fascinating history of some of Switzerland’s best loved and most unusual drinks. Plus visits to many drink producers throughout the country.

Here’s a peek at some of the wonderful places I visited while writing the book:

It’s in English, German, and French, right?

Yes! I worked some amazing editors and translators, not to mention our wonderful illustrator Ela Kownacka.

I hope you love this book and find some new or nostalgic Swiss drinks to love too.