Robertson Buckhaven’s ‘witty journey through Britain’s cocktails’ goes to Sphere
Little, Brown imprint Sphere has acquired A Measure of Britain, a “witty journey through the cocktails that define us” by Robertson Buckhaven, Metro drinks editor and author of The Alcorithm (Michael Joseph).
Publishing director Tig Wallace acquired world all-language rights directly from the author, with publication scheduled for October 2026.
In the book, Buckhaven “embarks on a boozy pilgrimage across the British Isles, from Scotland to Cornwall, to find the cocktails that represent the very soul of the UK and how they’re made”.
The description goes on: “From cosy pubs to glamorous city bars and everything in between, A Measure of Britain looks at Britain’s relationship with cocktails as touchstones, emblematic of our attitudes towards class, national pride and identity. [Buckhaven] dissects the nation’s most iconic drinks, unveiling how they’ve shaped and been shaped by British identity, and unpacking what they say about our ‘very British’ quirks, our culture and why we simply cannot be trusted, either at happy hour or last orders.”
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“Witty, affectionate and fizzing with personality, A Measure of Britain is part travelogue, part cultural study, part love letter to the people who keep our glasses full. And at the end of each chapter, Buckhaven shares his perfect recipe for the cocktail in question, because research should always be practical.”
Wallace said: “We’re delighted to be publishing Robertson Buckhaven’s A Measure of Britain, a witty, flavourful journey through UK cocktail culture – the perfect gift book, showcasing his expert eye and infectious enthusiasm.”
Buckhaven said: “I am so grateful to Tig and the Little, Brown team. It has been a blast delving into ‘Britishness’ through the lens of our favourite cocktails and celebrating the British bar scene with its wonderfully colourful characters. I hope people laugh reading it as much as I did writing it!”
