Before whiskey, America ran on rum.

This week on A More Perfect Plate, Nick and Bridget chart rum's booms and busts through six drinks, and they make and taste every single one: colonial bumbo (the drink that got George Washington elected), navy grog (the reason you feel groggy), the Cuba Libre, the classic daiquiri, Trader Vic's 1944 Mai Tai, and end with the wonder that is a Milk Punch.

This is "The Discussion" where Nick and Bridget have a little bit of fun with the topic and try all of the cocktails we mentioned in the Dispatch.

If you want the whole story, either listen to "The Read" in this feed where Nick narrates the entire story, or read the Dispatch on our blog.

Read this week's episode on our blog here.

Watch "The Discussion" on YouTube here.

You can find our hub with the written dispatches, book suggestions, and more at: amoreperfectplate.com

Please be sure to subscribe to keep discovering interesting American stories. We appreciate your support for this project.

Thanks for listening - cheers!

Nick & Bridget

Before whiskey, America ran on rum.

This week's Dispatch shares the story of how rum in America went through booms and busts and booms and busts by looking at six different cocktails. From George Washington to the Cuban revolution, and much more, we learn about what America was drinking, and why rum came and went.

This is "The Read" where Nick narrates the entire story to save you from reading it - but if you prefer reading, you can find the link to the blog post below!

On our companion episode, "The Discussion," Nick & co-host Bridget dive into the topic and try all the drinks we mention!

Read this week's episode on our blog here.

Watch "The Discussion" on YouTube here.

You can find our hub with the written dispatches, book suggestions, and more at: amoreperfectplate.com

Please be sure to subscribe to keep discovering interesting American stories. We appreciate your support for this project.

Thanks for listening - cheers!

Nick & Bridget

Nine out of ten Americans used to farm for a living. Today, fewer than two in a hundred do.

In this episode, Nick and Bridget travel through seven made-up (but historically grounded) American families to find out how that happened, from a Connecticut homestead in 1750 all the way to a GPS-guided Iowa combine today. Along the way: girdled trees, a locust swarm bigger than California, two very different Virginia farms in 1850, and the invention that made Wisconsin the Dairy State.

While chatting, we enjoyed a switchel while we chatted, a non-alcoholic cocktail that was called a "haymakers punch" for its superb flavor and hydration characteristics. It still tastes great today and you can make your own by following this recipe:

• 4 cups cold water
• 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup or molasses)
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. ginger

This is "The Discussion" where Nick and Bridget talk about all of the fun facts Nick wrote out for this week's dispatch in a more casual and fun way.

If you want the whole story, either listen to "The Read" in this feed where Nick narrates the entire story, or read the Dispatch on our blog.

Read the full Dispatch here.

Watch on YouTube here.

You can find our hub with the written dispatches, book suggestions, and more at: amoreperfectplate.com

Please be sure to subscribe to keep discovering interesting American stories. We appreciate your support for this project.

Thanks for listening - cheers!

Nick & Bridget