Book Description
An original book on the craft of mixology is a rare gem. Gary Regan’s
The Joy of Mixology is such a gem, one whose genius lies in Regan’s breakthrough system for categorizing drinks that helps bartenders—both professionals and amateurs alike—not only to remember drink recipes but also to invent their own.
For example, once you understand that the Margarita is a member of the New Orleans Sour Family, you’ll instantly see that a Kamikaze is just a vodka-based Margarita; a Cosmopolitan follows the same formula, with some cranberry juice thrown in for color. Similarly, the Manhattan and the Rob Roy, both members of the French-Italian family, are variations on the whiskey-vermouth-bitters formula.
In this way Regan brings a whole new understanding to the world of cocktails and how to make them. Not only will you learn how to make standard cocktails, you’ll actually learn to feel your way through making a drink, thereby attaining the skills needed to create concoctions of your own. And as Regan explains methods for mixing drinks, how to choose bartenders’ wares and select spirits and liqueurs, and the origins of many cocktails, you’ll feel as though you’re behind the bar with him, learning from a master. Plus, his charming and detailed history of mixed drinks raises this far above the standard cocktail guide fare.
With more than 350 drink recipes,
The Joy of Mixology is the ultimate bar guide. Ground-breaking and authoritative, it’s a must-have for anyone interested in the craft of the cocktail.
Customer Reviews:
Could be organized better.......2007-07-31
I liked the content of the book, however i wish it were organized by alcohol type not alphabetical. It makes it longer to find something you would actually drink.
hello..........2007-05-24
Great book, lots of information, a must have for anyone who appreciates and wants to learn more about cocktails.
More than a recipe book.......2007-02-16
I enjoy reading Regan's descriptions of cocktails, their recipes and histories, but also included are explanations about every aspect of the bartending craft. I appreciate his advice on tasting each ingredient to arrive at a properly balanced drink.
Joy of Mixology.......2007-01-15
I love the book and refer to it all the time. Lots of current drinks as well as old standbys. It's great for the anyone who likes to mix cocktails.
The cocktail book I turn to first.......2006-12-04
The chart in the middle of the book is invaluable. At a glance you can see what you can make with the ingredients on hand and confidentally experiment without straying too far off tried and true formulas (who knew the Sidecar and Margarita were related?).
Book Description
Expect this book to soar to the top of the bestseller list in its field with the most complete coverage of the subject anywhere, from the glass to use, the ice to mix to the garnish to finish it perfectly!
Start with a world-renowned expert's unequalled instructions for preparing virtually any cocktail anyone might ask for.
Add the essential facts of bartending with a professional's master guidance for hosting any gathering in the perfect atmosphere.
Pour in an encyclopedic collection of information about every drink, including brandy, gin, rum, tequila, and vodka; whiskey and bourbon; champagne and wine; bitters and other spirits; punches, cups, and eggnogs; liqueurs and shooters; hot drinks and nonalcoholic drinks.
Mix with Calabrese's recipes for 780 of his personal favorites, from old classics like Negroni, Bellini, and Sidecar, to new and exotic modern reinventions like Cosmopolitan and Apple Martini. And that leaves 775 more to choose from. Stir in hours of fascinating insider tales about how all the classic drinks came to be, the romance of the drink, and glorious photos and art of a sparkling visual history.
Garnish with:
. Live-action pictorials of techniques such as shaking, floating, layering, muddling, blending
. Thirst-inciting color photos that display drinks at their most elegant
. Easy-to remember icons symbolizing each type of glass to use in every situation
. Concealed spiral binding that lays flat so you can follow recipes with your hands free
. Hard-cover edition jam-packed with 256 information-filled pages at an amazing value price
It's the only bartender's guide you'll ever need. Even the right ice cubes are noted!
Customer Reviews:
Great Party Item.......2007-01-11
I loved this book because the recipes are simple, yet it offers some new twists.
Great recipes and great design.......2006-04-11
We've purchased a number of martini and other drink recipe books before coming across this one. One of the best things about this book is its spiral design. It lays flat, which means you don't have to try to hold it open or prop it up while mixing up a drink. Can't tell you how frustrating it is trying to whip up a martini or other stylish drink while trying to hold a book open! This book has great recipes, both old and new, is organized by type of liquor and even gives you ideas for the best glass to serve your masterpieces in. I just purchased another copy to give as a wedding/shower gift for a young couple.
They even got the Singapore Sling right!.......2006-01-16
This bartender guide is both colorful and full of photos. It's not also reasonable organized but has color codes for the different types of drinks (Gin, Vodka, etc.) to make it easy to navigate the cocktails. Also, I was happy to see a bartender guide that has the CORRECT Singapore Sling ingredients listed. So many others don't even have the real one used by the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. One thing that makes sense about this book, is that its spiral bound a real plus!
Thoroughly informative guide for the first-timer or the enthusiast.......2005-09-20
I found a used copy of this book at a local bookstore, and bought it out of sheer curiosity. I knew nothing prior to mixing drinks or even how to use a shaker, and was thoroughly amused at how drinking enthusiasts around the world could come up with 780 unique -- and sometimes downright perverse and ridiculous -- names for the world's finest cocktails.
There are two things that I love about this book -- it's brilliantly arranged as a reference guide, and it's geared for both the entry-level hobbyist and the more experienced enthusiast in mind.
Unlike many other bartender guides that are tiny paperbacks or printed on thicker paper that is harder to flip-through, Salvatore Calabrese's book is built like a true index in mind: it's a hard-cover with spiral-bound pages inside printed on glossy color paper. The 780 drinks are divided into logical categories (brandy, rum, wine, vodka, shooters, punches, nonalcoholic, etc.) and each drink's mixing instructions are designed to be read in less than 30 seconds. As a quick reference, I have not seen a book that is better written with clarity and brevity in mind.
Any book I'm willing to pay for as an introduction into a hobby needs to me interested with the history, the basics on how-tos, and the fine science of becoming an enthusiast. The book's opening chapters cover everything from tools & equipment, glassware, and bar terminology to flavors & garnishes, proper techniques for juicing limes, and how to properly use ice!
Nearly every single recipe includes a brief history as to where the naming scheme caming from, and there's some description to the regional origins of certain spirits and bases as well.
I'm not planning on becoming a professional bartender, but if I were going to, I'd imagine this text would easily be one of the required reads and "keeper" books for someone truly interested in pursuing a long-term education into the fine art of drink mixing.
best home bar guide .......2005-08-27
this book is awesome...lots of pics, easy to follow instructions, everything you need
Book Description
The ultimate bartending guide!
Proven recipes, step-by-step instructions, and much, much more
Congratulations! You’ve just discovered the ultimate bartender’s guide that’s up-to-date, practical, and easy-to-use. Inside you’ll find recipes for hundreds of delicious cocktails and mixed drinks, plus step-by-step directions for making virtually every contemporary and classic drink ordered at bars and restaurants today–from an A.B.C. to a Zorbatini.
You’ll also find total coverage of bartending basics, including equipment, ingredients, techniques, glassware, and garnishes.
- More than 850 recipes–listed alphabetically
- Clear, step-by-step instructions and problem-solving tips
- Fast-find icons–for classics, shooters, party punches, and more
- Waterproof, wipe-dry cover with place-keeping ribbon
- Mini-course on professional bartending
Customer Reviews:
My favorite cocktail book.......2007-05-19
This book is indispensable! It contains recipes for old-fashioned cocktails (and their history) as well as new "foofy" drinks. I much prefer it over Mr Boston for its variety. I enjoy drinks that are simple and use bitters or aperitifs, and this book has plenty of them! It also includes non-alcoholic drinks for the tee-totaler.
I would recommend this book for anyone looking to build their bar and learn how to make some delicious drinks that go far beyond the boring martini-bar cocktail.
Pros and Cons.......2007-01-24
Pros: Awesome book. Easy to follow. Cheaper than bar-tending sites offer.
Cons: It doesn't have EVERY drink you're looking for, but it has a good enough selection you won't be disappointed.
great book.......2007-01-05
This was a great book. I just wish it had listed the drinks by alcohol ingredients. But overall, I loved it.
Good Drinks Good Fun!.......2005-01-25
This is a good book for people who want to know how to mix drinks and how to mix them well. It also has some non-alcholic mixes for the kids parties and stuff! And the cover is water proof and has a place keeping ribbon too!
Very good!.......2004-06-30
Got this book and was immediately impressed by the loads of recipes. However, there are some good ones missing and some of the recipes are tinkered with a bit (as most are), but that's just nitpicking. Overall an outstanding recipe book! Well worth the price!
Average customer rating:
- A handy compact reference book for mixologists
- Mediocre book, just gets reprinted without improvements
- Don't waste your money
- OK
- The definitive guide
|
Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's and Party Guide
Mr. Boston , and
Steven McDonald
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Similar Items:
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Mr. Boston Platinum Edition: 1,500 Recipes, Tools, and Techniques for the Master Mixologist
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Complete World Bartender Guide: The Standard Reference to More than 2,400 Drinks
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The Bartender's Bible: 1001 Mixed Drinks and Everything You Need to Know to Set Up Your Bar
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The Complete Bartender
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The Ultimate A-to-Z Bar Guide
ASIN: 0764597329 |
Book Description
The up-to-date new edition of America’s bestselling drink-mixing guide
America’s favorite drink-mixing guide since 1935, Mr. Boston: Official Bartender’s and Party Guide has been the resource of choice for generations of professionals and amateurs alike. Now this classic is better than ever, with updated information, 100 contemporary new drink recipes, and all-new photography. More than 1,400 recipes range from classic cocktails to today’s trendiest drinks, all presented alphabetically with clear, easy-to-follow instructions. With the latest lowdown on liquors, beers, and wines, plus savvy advice on equipment, bar setup, and more, Mr. Boston has it all.
Mr. Boston, part of the Barton Brands group, has been a widely recognized name in the bartending world for more than 60 years. The Mr. Boston brand includes a range of liquors and prepared cocktails as well as this 66th printing of the Official Bartender’s and Party Guide.
Customer Reviews:
A handy compact reference book for mixologists.......2007-08-21
This is one of those nifty little reference books to have on hand during a party, or behind the bar, when you just don't remember (or know) how to make a particular cocktail or mixed drink.
Strengths:
* Decent overview of the basic essentials of tending bar: tools, party planning, etc.
* Encyclopedic breadth of recipes, both old and new. You wanna make an old fashioned sloe-gin fizz ? No problem. Want to know how to make "simple syrup" for Caribbean drinks and classic cocktails from the roaring 20's ? It's in there. Perhaps some haute toity blue blood, huffing a tiparillo behind a pair of 1950's vintage hornrims (and a pile of bar cash) wants a Pousse Café (one of the most anal-retentive and pretentious mixed drinks ever devised, BTW) ? No problemo, and don't forget to pour the different layers of chartreuse across a spoon to keep the layers distinct ... not that (in all reality) you'll ever actually get an order for one.
* Conveniently sized and fonted to provide maximum information in a small book ... that easily fits in a bar kit, behind a counter, or near a cash register. Well indexed too. In other words, this is a book designed for regular use and quick reference ... not for sitting idle on your coffee table.
Weaknesses:
* It's rather weak on instruction - but in the book's defense, it's a reference book by design, not an instructional book, and it's targeted for people who already know basic bartending.
* It's a bit weak on frozen/blended drink techniques - overdue for ergonomic update and expansion.
* It could include more information on various specialty liqueurs, and their flavor/usage.
* I'm slighly annoyed that despite 60+ reprintings, there are relatively few changes from revision to revision.
* It could give some tips on how to evaluate important tools like blenders.
* Although the book offers great breadth of recipes, it neglects (my 64th edition version doesn't) to provide things that professional bartenders find useful ... such as tips on how to organize a "speed rack", and helpful mnemonics for high-demand drinks (ex: a "Kamikaze" has "Very Little Time" ... VLT = Vodka, with a splash of lime and triplesec. Here's another: "Margarita" has "Tiny Little Sour Toes" ... TLST = Tequila, with lime, sour mix, and triplesec. Mr. Boston's doesn't really cover such helpful tricks - but it could and should).
Bottom line - books don't survive to 60+ editions unless they're doing something right. It's a very handy little reference book, and despite it's hefty recipe archive, it takes up surprisingly little space on your shelf ... by design. This one was a toss up between 3 and 4 stars for me ... but it's been useful enough to me over the years, despite it's flaws, to get the 4.
Mediocre book, just gets reprinted without improvements.......2007-07-30
The publishers of this guide simply aren't making an effort: they just reprint this book year after year. They fail to take notice of readers' hopes for changes, as well as the changed landscape for alcoholic drinks. Until we stop buying this awful book, they'll keep printing it.
One of the major weaknesses of the book is its index. Want to find all drinks with orange juice? No go. How about a "hot toddy?" Sorry--you have to look up "hot brandy toddy," but that's not its common name! Maybe you'd like to make something with the last of your coffee liquor, so maybe the index or table of contents will guide you there? No ma'am.
Then, as many reviewers have mentioned, half the drinks in the guide are dated, and countless modern favorites are not included. If I were buying a drink guide I would definitely look elsewhere.
Don't waste your money.......2007-02-15
I consider myself a professional bartender. I also collect barbooks. For years I had heard how awful this book was from people in the industry, so I never bothered to buy it. One of my previous day-time bar gigs (pool bar, Hyatt, Key West) had a copy, so I'd thumb through it in my down time. Soon it morphed into a game I'd play with my customers. Name your favorite drink, and then see how bad Mr. Boston would muck it up.
If you are shopping for an end all be all guide for cocktails at home, or for professional use, I recommend..."The Craft of the Cocktail" by Dale Degroff. Or try "Killer Cocktails" by David Wondrich. "The Joy of Mixology" by Gary Regan is also a great book. Whatever you do, don't waste your money on this...unless you grew up drinking in Boston?.
OK.......2006-03-05
This book is the standard reference work to mixed drinks and cocktails and most bars have a copy. However, many of the drinks in this book were popular in the 30s-60s and are not ordered today. This is more of a reference work with hundreds of drink recipies. If you want to learn about the types of spirits, how to select a wine, etc. look elsewhere.
The definitive guide.......2004-12-28
Look no further... this is the guide you will want handy at all of your parties. It is well organized and has very clear directions. Don't pass this up.
Average customer rating:
- good for a second drink mixing book on the shelf
- Lots of Drinks, but Nothing Modern
|
Complete World Bartender Guide: The Standard Reference to More than 2,400 Drinks
Bob Sennett
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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The Complete Bartender
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The Bartender's Bible: 1001 Mixed Drinks and Everything You Need to Know to Set Up Your Bar
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X-Rated Shots: More than 50 Shots We Dare You to Say Out Loud (Running Press Miniature Editions)
ASIN: 055329900X
Release Date: 1993-11-01 |
Book Description
The Biggest and Best if its Kind
The standard reference to more than 2,400 drinks
Including nonalcoholic drinks
Plus drinks for dieters
Every recipe illustrated with proper glass
Learn how to create the perfect drink for every occasion
You don’t need to take a mixology course to master the art of mixing drinks with style and confidence. All you need to know is in the
Complete World Bartender Guide. From classic cocktails to little-known concoctions, this comprehensive reference contains easy-to-follow recipes for more than 2,400 drinks that will make you the toast of any party. This indispensable resource also includes:
• Handy tips on setting up your bar and buying the right amount of liquor and supplies
• Illustrations of proper glassware next to each recipe
• Instructions for brewing beer
• Professional tricks and shortcuts
• Drinks for dieters
• More than 200 recipes for delicious nonalcoholic drinks
• Expert advice on selecting and serving wine
• And much more!
The ultimate bar-top reference
Customer Reviews:
good for a second drink mixing book on the shelf.......2001-07-07
entirely old fashioned drinks, many you may have never heard of before. since old fashioned drinks have become trendy lately, more of these recipies are popping up on hip specialty drink lists of lounge bars. don't expect to use any of the latest schnapps with these drinks, and many of them include natural ingredients for flavoring.
be sure to have a modern bartending book for pleasing the crowd, but this should be for secret specialties from years gone by.
Lots of Drinks, but Nothing Modern.......1998-07-17
This book is filled with different drinks, but it seems none of them are made today (in the USA, at least) I recommend buying another book if you plan on being a bartender or serving drinks at home. If bizarre cocktails from the 20s are what your looking for, then buy this book.
Book Description
Cocktails in Tahiti is a visually stunning, full color showpiece combining a playful yet sophisticated look at Tahiti's magnificent luxury resorts and their most delicious, flirtatious, and slightly decadent cocktails. Filled with unusual insights, folklore, and facts about Tahiti and her islands,
Cocktails in Tahiti has something to tempt and delight all tastes.
Over 50 sumptuous cocktail recipes blend exotic fruits, juices, and liquors providing a flavorful and vibrant palette from which to capture the fun and often elegant mood of these captivating islands. You'll learn the history of the legendary Mai Tai, Tahiti's most famous cocktail, and discover the secrets of the intriguing rums, vodkas, and distinctive liqueurs used in creating Tahiti's most celebrated libations.
A special section features the signature cocktail recipes from Tahiti's most outstanding luxury resorts along with spectacular photographs and overviews of these renowned hotels.
Whether served from a coconut or elegantly chilled in a martini glass of fine crystal, the flowering and colorful cocktails of Tahiti have an undeniable presence all their own. If you are dreaming of a future trip or reliving special memories from a past visit to these beautiful islands, this wonderful collection of delightful drink recipes, dazzling hotel photographs, and distinctive insights will put you in a tropical, tranquil mood as you sip your way to our magical paradise.
Al Keahi, Managing Director, Tahiti Tourism Bureau N.A:
A must have book of fun and facts for anyone who has visited or dreams of visiting Tahiti.
New Book Resources, October 2006:
We can't wait to try out the recipes and imagine that we are at one of the featured, dreamlike hotels.
Vincent Guerin, Director of Sales, Starwood Hotels & Resorts French Polynesia:
The finest collection of resort photographs and cocktail recipes from across Tahiti.
Customer Reviews:
What a fun and entertaining book!.......2007-08-05
Not only does this book have a wealth of information on a destination we long to travel to, but it offers a wide variety of fun and DELICIOUS drinks.
We love to entertain and it has been great having 'Cocktails in Tahiti' out at our parties...quite a conversation piece! Everyone loves the stunning photos of Tahiti, the scrumptious drinks, and the intriguing facts of the islands. Thank you!
Experience a whole new world of Cocktails!.......2007-04-28
Always looking for new and exciting cocktails to try, I purchased this book. Each page became more interesting, not only for the drinks presented but for the knowledge that Mr. Bondurant shares about Tahiti, it's culture, local accomodations, etc.
The photos are exceptional and each drink I have mixed has been better than the last. I have bought several as gifts for coworkers and friends. You won't be disappointed!
Cocktails from paradise at your fingertips.......2007-02-06
"Cocktails in Tahiti" is a must have for any lover of spirits with a tropical flair. The author has artfully put together a wonderful collection of cocktails, both old and new, from the scenic paradise of Tahiti. Colorful photographs and descriptions of each drink will have your mouth watering to imbibe several of these treats from the South Pacific. If you are looking for something new to bring some tropical flavor to your cocktail library, then you need this book!
This book will make you fall in love with Tahiti.......2006-12-18
I have always wanted to go to the Tahitian islands but have never had the opportunity. Now, after reading "Cocktails in Tahiti", I am planning a trip to Tahiti for next Summer. I originally thought "Cocktails in Tahiti" would give me some good ideas for entertaining, but soon found out it contained many intersting nuggets about the islands and their history. To sum it up, I am packed and ready to go to these beautiful islands.
If you've ever dreamed of a tropical vacation or just need to brighten up your winter, you should read this book.
Beautiful Book.......2006-12-09
I have never been to Tahiti, but after reading the fun, informative facts about Tahiti, seeing the beautiful pictures, and sampling some of the excellent cocktail recipes, I am ready to go!
Mr. Bondurant's love and knowledge of Tahiti come through clearly in the book, which is very well laid out. It provides enough information and explains things in such a way that an amateur can make delicious Tahitian cocktails as well as the most experienced bartender. The fun facts about Tahiti, along with summaries of the total hotels and the gorgeous pictures, makes this book a must have.
Until I can take my first trip to Tahiti, this book will help bring a little Tahiti to my home.
Customer Reviews:
A must for any mixologist.......2002-03-31
Trader Vics cocktail book is a important collection for any serious bartender, its an era, a school of thought that must be remebered and no one tells it better that Vic himself. The book contains humourous stories and tips. The downside to it is that none of the ingredients are official, but understanably were aware that no one tells their secrets. very well written, and surely a book that you can compare to and rreview several times over. A must.....
Trader Vic's Da'Man!.......2002-01-04
Fantastic bar guide, covering all standard, and tropical drinks. Learn how to make drinks that taste great, and work great! One note, various editions exit, older ones do not containt the recipe for the famous Mai Tai, newer ones do not give the TRUE recipe, but rather say "use Trader Vic's Mai Tai Mix" (similar for other drinks). TO get all recipes, with BASIC ingred. I suggest buying multiple editions of this text. Learn how to make Hot Buttered Rum Batter, Mai Tai's, Navy Grog, the REAL way!
Great Reading, Great experimenting, Great drinks....
A Must for the hobby bar tender!
This one's due a reprint.......1998-06-24
I found a copy of this book in a box in the garage. This is THE book for mixing a wide range of drinks.
I have to guard my copy to keep friends and family from walking off with it. If you are into anything from simple bar drinks to frou-frou boat drinks (I recommend the potted parrot and rum keg) this the book for you.
A Must For Every Bartender.......1998-06-23
Here is Trader Vic's drink legacy in recipe form, with the occasional comment thrown in, as well as an entire gamut of historically important drinks, from cocktails to hot drinks. It gives proper, accurate recipes (with correct brands and types of liquors), wheras current guides (like Mr. Boston) accept inferior substitutes. It is a MUST HAVE for any bar of true distinction. *This was a smartly updated version of his original bartending guide.*
Trader Vic's has got that mondo-lounge feel.......1998-05-07
While not containing the hippest, up-to-the-moment drinks, this book is a compendium of a lot of the more traditional tropical drinks such as the zombie, the fogcutter, and the scorpion. Trader Vic himself often has a few words about the drinks, and a good section on his bartending philosophy. Well worth going through the trouble of trying to find.
Book Description
"Miss Charming's Guide for Hip Bartenders and Wayout Wannabes is a new approach to the top-selling bartending category, providing readers with all of the insider tips they need to become a top-shelf bartender-at home or as a career.
Packed full of fun illustrations, hints, tricks, tips and recipes, Miss Charming's Guide for Hip Bartenders and Wayout Wannabes is a one-stop reference for readers looking for a fun-filled, practical guide on how to tend bar full time, part time or party time!"
Customer Reviews:
Best, most thorough bartending book on the market........2007-03-22
Cheryl Charming has put a lot of experience into the writing of this book, and it shows. It covers pretty much everything you need to know to get started as a bartender and has a lot of useful information that more experienced bartenders can learn from. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who currently tends bar or wants to. The only thing that kept this review from being 5 stars is that there is very little information about how to prepare for private parties. Bartending For Dummies (For Dummies (Cooking)) has thorough information on this aspect, for those interested. As a side note, Miss Charming is easy to contact and very hepful if you have questions! Between this book, her website and her willingness to help, I was able to break into bartending and am extremely appreciative of her taking the time to help out her fellow bartenders. Bravo!
A simple cocktail book...and the complexity of publishing it........2007-03-02
This review is, unfortunately, one of those good news/bad news affairs. The good news: This is a book well worth owning. It contains excellent guidance, stories (parables, really) both entertaining and subtly moving bartenders and home mixologists alike toward a greater grasp of the "beingness" of bartending - from an author who speaks eloquent Bartenderese.
Cheryl Charming, beginning with her name, continuing with the cartoony light touch of her previous fare, and concluding with publishing deals that emphasized those characteristics, has rarely been taken seriously among the cocktail elite. Her advice to bartenders less seasoned than she is puts the lie to that appraisal in this book. Ask any attendee of the [...] forums if you doubt it. Cheryl Charming is wise. Nonetheless, that was the legacy Ms Charming was tarred with previous to this book.
Here, the years of experience behind the mahogany are brought to bear. The book is packed with the aforementioned stories, charts, tables, and a plethora of useful aids to working bartenders and novices who want to grasp that distinctly social/functional headset. The up-to-date specific gravities of liqueurs (allowing the construction of numbers of perfect Pousse Cafés) and the unprecedented coverage of the largely ignored 1970s as relate to cocktails...these alone are worth the exceedingly affordable price of the book.
Cheryl sent me an early draft of "Miss Charming's Guide for Hip Bartenders and Wayout Wannabes" for fact checking. I raved. It was a superb look at bartending from the trenches. It cast a broad light on the vastly neglected (even by me) 1970s-80s era of cocktails. It voiced its offerings in a magically odd combination of honesty, humor, cynicism, and energy that only comes of living the life. I was immediately fatuous.
Much of this tone remains in the current work. It is still a tome well worth owning....no thanks to Cheryl Charming's editors and publishers. She was offered a hardback deal; a chance to visually transcend the past works that emphasized the playful frivolities of cocktails at the expense of their incredibly gourmet high end. In the final tally, (and for legal reasons here I must state it is an opinion...MY opinion) they screwed her. Crappy paper, soft-back, a vastly concatenated word count.....this was not, after all, the book that would show the world what an amazing point of view Ms Charming could offer. In short, they were nitwits, requiring massive text cuts, cutting singularly unique perspectives and marketing the book in exactly the same vein as any silly joke book. It is a shame. Note well....I only know this from the advantage I had in viewing an early draft and advising on factual elements. The book you are offered, as I indicated above, is entirely worth its price and worthy of any cocktail library.
If publishing companies were not such dolts, though, it would've been a better book for which you would've (appropriately) paid substantially more money. Buy the book, it remains worth it, but be contemptuous of the publishing company for their lack of vision.
Awesome Book.......2007-02-24
So I am both a bartender and an voracious reader/collector of books on my chosen profession and I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Written in an enagaging style it would benefit and educate both the newbie bartender as well as the 'old hand'.
Aimed towards the professional rather than the amateur it has the challenge of 'teaching' perhaps the biggest groups of know-it-alls on the planet and it succeeds admirably. That is not to say that the keen home 'shaker-upper' of drinks should not have it at home too as it provides both useful tips for them in their endeavours and insights into the murky world of the 'Pro'.
A great read, a useful tool and (groan) a fantastic cocktail of stories, facts and ideas at the sharp end of our industry. Bravo.
Best book on bartending.......2007-02-10
Cheryl's book is a fantastic tool not only for the neophytes, but also for those who have been bartending for years, rich of informations and useful suggestions very hard to find on any other books. Definitely the best book on bartending I have ever read. Higly recommended .
Dom Costa
I have a whole new respect for great bartenders!!!!!!!!.......2007-02-06
Miss Charming's books are always fascinating but this book will blow you away. I have a whole new respect for "great" bartenders. The knowledge, multi-tasking skills great bartenders possess are sure to add 100's of dollars to your tip jar every night. I learned so much about liquor...history, weights, origin, who drinks it, what movie it was featured in......it goes on and on. You will KNOW what makes your customer happy and willing to fork over the tips in return. Attention to details....they are in here!! Get this book. If you are a history buff or a bartender looking for that extra something that will make you "The Special One" at your bar....you must read this book cover to cover and then just sit back and watch your regulars come in week after week. It's a guarantee!
Book Description
A Playboy editor gives the skinny on what’s to drink in an illustrated, complete guide with more than a thousand recipes.
For professional mixologists looking for new taste sensations to serve or party-givers who want to offer their guests a range of drinks, the perfect handbook for “spiritual” success comes from Playboy magazine. Written by Thomas Mario, the magazine’s former food and drink editor, this expanded edition features 350 photographs, additional chapters on wine, beer, and sake, and much, much more. The 1,400 mouth-watering cocktail recipes suggest something for every season, mood, and occasion. Hundreds of useful tips cover every detail of bartending, from drink-mixing and presentation to stocking the bar. And it’s all in an easy-to-use format with recipes organized by alcohol type, and tips for throwing swinging theme parties, in cool Playboy style, at your pad.
Customer Reviews:
A great addition to a bar but not for reasons you'd think..........2004-06-19
Recently I got a job as a bartender, so I thought maybe I would do some reading, I picked up Playboy's Bartender's Guide, thinking well Hugh knows how to throw a party so it must be a killer book. And it is, to ya know, have displayed on a shelf behind your bar, or maybe look up some drink recipes. But as far as reading it goes... WAY to upper class for most people to enjoy, I mean, who wants to feel inferior because they don't serve champange at bachelor parties or because pate fois grois or however you spell goose liver in french doesnt make it onto the snack platter on a regular basis. It is a very interesting and informative book, but it wont apply to the majority of the worlds wannabe bartenders/party throwers/booze lovers. But do pick it up, cause ya never know, you may decide that oxtail soup is the perfect addition to your super bowl party but only if its served with some imported beer from a country you've never heard of... like c'mon who drinks Budwiser anyways...
An appealing bartender's guide to mixed drinks.......2003-01-10
A sturdy, handsome leatherette cover with a reader's ribbon inside makes for an appealing bartender's guide to mixed drinks providing an unusually comprehensive reference. Here are local and famous mixed drinks organized alphabetically by title for quick bartender reference. If only one such guide were to be included in a discriminating library, the Playboy Bartender's Guide should be the item of choice.
A must have.......2002-11-26
This is a nice compilation of drinks. The book features all the necessary information on glasses,trimmings,mixing and even party-planning. This book is suited to both the professional mixologist as well as the simple social drinker looking for some new ideas.
Book Description
Revised and updated to include the newest and latest drinks, this easy-to-use, fully illustrated guide presents nearly 1,300 recipes for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, organized alphabetically and indexed by ingredient for quick reference.
Customer Reviews:
THE perfect holiday gift........2004-12-23
This is an excellent book, with over 1,300 recipes, including non-alcoholic. Also includes tips on glassware, measurements, ingredients, stocking your home bar, a wine guide, and more.
"You can't find anywhere if it's not in New York!" Served with class!
Alone on the West Coast.......2001-02-16
The book is a fantastic collection of the most popular East Coast drinks, and I use it often, but it lacks a West Coast feel, and severl drinks from it. It's a great starter book, though.
put this in your "toolbox"!.......2000-12-31
This is just a good "tool" to have around your house. Even if you don't throw any parties this year (or any year), it will come in handy, whether you want a good martini recipe or if the evening calls for something silly like "Alabama Slamma's".
The book is easy to use, and will be well-enjoyed by the adventuresome who are looking for a buzz more refined than a "sixer of bud."
I have also given this book to a couple of friends who are normally difficult to shop for on their birthdays, and they both loved it. Cheers!
Excellent book for the beginner and expert bartender.......1998-08-05
This is an excellent book for the professional bartender to the home partier. The drink list is unlimited; it's filled with the most popular and most unlikely drinks, it will keep your guests entertained for hours. It does lack a "shooters" section, but overall it is great.
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