Be honest. You expect this book to be a nonstop parade of gin and absinthe with a couple rum drinks thrown in for people who cosplay Airship Sky Pirates.

Sure, you'll find plenty of that, but compared to the crazy reality of Victorian drinking culture, your absinthe cocktail is downright boring.

You're about to embark on a series of improbable adventures with household staples. You'll find historically authentic punch recipes which could be confused for farmer's cheese, tea recipes that will knock you out rather than wake you up, and downright chewable eggy cream curdles.

Along...