What was the impetus to write a book on the history of alcohol in India?
It was the culmination of the many times that I, while travelling, have been asked whether Indians drink alcohol and, if they do, is there anything else besides cheap whiskey available in the country? Also, every time I hold presentations on wine and spirits, I realise that there are so many interesting anecdotes that dot our rich heady past. Why not delve into them a bit more and compile them. I am sure many still remain waiting to be unearthed.

Illustration/Uday Mohite