Rum is not just a drink. It is a force that helped build empires, bankroll plantations, fuel revolutions, and become the unofficial language of sailors, smugglers, and island nights. In The Spirit of the Caribbean, Oliver Greyson traces rum’s global journey with a sharp focus on its Caribbean heartland. You will follow sugarcane from field to still, meet the pirates and privateers who made rum legendary, step aboard Royal Navy decks where grog became ritual, and watch rum transform again in the neon glow of tiki culture and modern cocktail bars. Then the book shifts from story to craft. You will get a clear, practical walkthrough of rum making from fermentation to distillation to aging, written for curious readers who want to understand the process end to end. The final sections bring rum to the table with rum-forward recipes and cocktail builds, including iconic classics and adventurous tropical drinks, each with real-world context and easy-to-follow instructions. Always check and follow your local laws and safety rules before attempting any home distilling. Inside you will find: A narrative history of rum with pirates, naval tradition, trade, and Caribbean culture at the center A detailed guide to rum production, including step-by-step home distilling principles and best practices Rum recipes for food and dessert, plus cocktail recipes spanning classic, modern, pirate legend, and tiki-inspired favorites Perfect for: Readers of narrative history who want a page-turning origin story for a world-defining spirit Home brewers and DIY makers who want to learn how rum is actually made Cocktail lovers who want better drinks, better stories, and better rum literacy From the author of The Eternal Vine, Civilization on Tap, Brew It Yourself, and Garden to Glass, this book brings Oliver Greyson’s signature blend of history, craft, and adventure to the most storied spirit of them all.