Karen and Andrew break down how different ingredients’ flavors combine, and they give you an endless list of ingredients to play around with. I wanted to compile a list of the best books written in the industry relevant to bartenders. I love the fact he predicted vodka was going to be huge too! Written by Jim Meehan, a bartender, journalist, proprietor, and founder of NYC’s famed Please Don’t Tell, the book “includes chapters dedicated to such topics as bar design and functionality, space planning, efficiently building rounds of drinks, and much more,” says Lavenue. It’s all in books. This is applicable for home bartenders and working bartenders who enjoy serving larger groups with the ease of one recipe.”, Last Call by Brad Thomas Parsons — “Since it feels a little end-times right now, Last Call seems fitting. From the moment I picked up this book, I couldn’t put it down. At its core, this is a book about people skills and being hospitable. I think “Bitters: A Spirited History of a Classic Cure-All, with Cocktails, Recipes, and Formulas” by BT Parsons should be on this list as well. A local bartender took advantage of the lockdown and has written a book! Cheers. The Bartender’s Tale is thoroughly engaging, and the book’s soft focus of nostalgia is in itself a kind of pleasure.” –NPR “Doig is at his best with coming-of-age stories. The book is nicely compact, with fetching gold embossing on brown paper – one to keep out on the coffee table or liquor trolley. Shannon Mustipher’s book has rebalanced the Tiki genre, presenting recipes that can easily be mixed by anyone, and a few more to aspire towards. It’s ideal for beginners and intermediate bartenders alike. And the graphic illustrations used throughout the book make these wine concepts very easy to remember. Trust me! Although most bartender’s primary focus is on making cocktails and learning about spirits, learning about wine is just as important. There are mountains of books that have covered the first two elements of this equation, but ‘The Bar Book’ was the first of its kind to extensively cover the third – bartending techniques. Two books in particular that I love are Divided Spirits: Tequila, Mezcal, and the Politics of Production by Sarah Bowen, which explores the recent explosive growth of consumption of agave spirits and how it’s affecting the production, branding, and regulation of those spirits; and Caribbean Rum by Frederick H. Smith, which delves into the sometimes sordid history of a central economic, cultural, and political piece of the islands for centuries.”. All of the people captured in this book are certainly worth toasting to from your living room.”, Spirits of Latin America by Ivy Mix — “This book is perfect for quarantining because it’s truly transportive to the beautiful places and cultures that Ivy Mix herself journeys to in her research. The reason for this is because you’ll be constantly referring back to certain pages and it’s much easier to navigate physical books. At the very least, you’ll get a plethora of good stories that you can tell to entertain & educate your guests. It’s a hardback coffee-table sized book written by Jan Cavrak, a bartender there for nearly 40 years, and Leslie Anne Mcilroy, a bartender there during the 1980s and ’90s. Drinking Like Ladies by Misty Kalkofen and Kirsten Amann — “Let me tell you, the world does not need another book full of stuffy cocktail history that’s really just about well-to-do men drinking in private clubs in the early 1900s. Why you should read this book: To delve deep into the world of craft cocktails, to take your bartending skills to the next level, and to learn from the best in the industry. This book is the opposite of that and so much more. This book is sure to keep you busy for a while! On the other hand, if you’ve been bartending professionally for a while and have dedicated time to studying the craft, it’s probably not what you’re looking for. But on the other hand, if you’re an advanced bartender who’s fallen in love with mixology & cocktails, you’re going to love Dave’s book! It’s got so much history surrounding the birth and legend of the Tiki movement, which is only growing in popularity (also thanks to books by Jeff Berry and Shannon Mustipher). I didn’t originally set out to write an eight-book series; at first it was just going to be a trilogy! Reading books is great for the soul and it’s great for your bartending career. She details how they’re made, their flavor profiles, their histories, interesting facts, recipes, and more. Your email address will not be published. Julissa Ortiz is in Midtown with Jason Rothman to take a look, and watch him show off his bartending skills! Stir. As bartenders, we also need to learn how to balance flavors, match drinks with food, and learn how to combine different ingredients’ flavors. He’s the CEO of the Union Square hospitality group and he’s largely responsible for their enormous success. For a lot of bartenders out there, Dave Arnold’s book ‘Liquid Intelligence’ will be too advanced. All in all, Liquid Intelligence will teach advanced bartenders how to be even better. For everyone who ever wonders why certain things are done both in back and front of a bar, this book will make you a much more rounded guest when the saloon doors open again.”, Canadian Whisky by Davin de Kergommeaux — “If you’re looking for something more substantial to take away from your quarantine, this is the book for you. Unfortunately, none of us are born with knowledge, wisdom, and skill. So that you can quickly learn everything you could possibly want to know about and become the best bartender you can be. Jeff divides the book into four major families: ales, lagers, wheat beers, and sours & wild ales. "King Cocktail" is credited with being one of the first bartenders to revive the art of vintage craft cocktails at the Rainbow Room in the late 90's, and his two books on the subject hold up as fundamental must-reads that offer practical insight into how bartenders approached cocktail-making a good 15 years ago. It also includes photos and charts, as well as guidance on important bartending techniques. Your email address will not be published. Especially when most of the albums are classic albums. Required fields are marked *. Because it details the principle bartending techniques, how you do them, and why you use them. Starward Two Fold Double Grain Australian Whisky Review, 7 Hot Toddy Recipes to Warm Up Your Winter, Woodford Reserve Very Fine Rare Bourbon Review, How Plymouth Gin Master Distiller Sean Harrison Restored the Iconic Brand, Jim Meehan on Cocktail Books, Punch, and Knowing Your History, Dante’s Naren Young on Good Martinis, Bad Martinis, and “Owning” the Negroni, Drinking in Rome: the Jerry Thomas Project and Beyond, The Best Rums Under $30 for the Aspiring Rum Enthusiast, Navy Rum and the Black Tot, 50 Years Later, Angostura Rums Are Nothing to Be Bitter About, How Barrel Aging Affects Whiskey and Other Spirits, How to Stay Healthy When You Drink for a Living, 21 Champagne Cocktails for New Year’s Eve, 16 Festive Cocktails to Drink During the Holidays, 14 Thanksgiving Cocktails to Improve Your Holiday, Thirst Boston Returns Virtually—and for Free—on September 14, 10 Whiskeys We’re Excited to Try at WhiskyFest New York 2019, Tales of the Cocktail 2019: Just the Highlights, The Best Cocktail Books According to Bartenders and Writers. It is a book we keep going back to for at-home cocktail inspiration.”, The Bar Book by Jeffrey Morgenthaler — “If you want to up your bar game this is the book we always send and recommend to people. According to Jeffrey Morgenthaler, there are 3 elements that contribute to a great cocktail, the recipe, its ingredients, and the bartending technique. This book will teach you how to hone & master those skills. The Ultimate Party Drink Book: Over 750 Recipes for Cocktails, Smoothies, Blender Drinks, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, and More $ 17.99 $ 13.86 And this is the best reference book you’ll find on these subjects. There is such a range in this category, which can make it exciting yet also slightly daunting! We are also given contemporary techniques for making necessary ingredients for use in modern and classic cocktails in an informal manner.” Though it is slightly less recipe-heavy, it is such a wealth of information on ‘science-ing’ your way to great cocktails.”, “Amaro from Brad Thomas Parsons is fantastic for branching out into the world of digestivi. Spend some time in Vacationland (aka Maine) and our little bar making drinks.”. physical books), as opposed to digital copies (i.e. share. Including your career in bartending. They’re the primary ingredients we use when we make cocktails, and they’re what our guests expect us to know about most. It covers the fundamentals well enough for the beginner, yet thorough enough to keep the professionals coming back for it.”, “When it comes to new school Tiki drinks, I am a big fan of Shannon Mustipher’s Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails. Don’t think about the title of the book, this book takes you though the expats life in Hong Kong during the time of 1997. The Darlingtons also have another great at-home cocktail book, The New Cocktail Hour, and they make the experience of recreating classics with some user-friendly at-home guidelines as easy as baking that banana bread, which you’re currently allowing to cool while you stir a Negroni for mama.”, The Craft of the Cocktail: Everything You Need to Know to Be a Master Bartender, with 500 Recipes by Dale DeGroff – “Dale was one of my teachers and is one of the best. I still own it but because it soaks up beer better than most coasters. Books like that have done to cocktails what Redbull has done to young the impressionable palates that I turn back to the door nightly when I refuse to make any drinks with “pucker”. Then, you’ll learn all the fundamental skills you need to lead a successful career in bartending. Martin said it best: “’Escape is a dying art.’”  And these books, along with the lore of Tiki and all the different potions—allow people to escape a little more, which is nice when we’re all quarantined.”, Booze and Vinyl by Tenaya and André Darlington — “A book allowing one to pair well-made cocktails… with music? What about fermentation? Nico. Because no matter what it is you want to learn about or improve on, you can find it in a book. is a fantastic book – My life wouldn’t be the same without it! What did you think of these books? This bartending book is refreshing since it’s written not only for bartenders, but for small-time party planners as well, so beginners in the art of mixology will have a lot to learn from it. And Gary Regan is a fantastic storyteller so it’s easy to read. This is an introductory book and as such, the concepts are relatively basic. If you like your history, and if you like cocktails & spirits, this book is about to become your best friend. As bars remain closed in the wake of the coronavirus, drinkers everywhere are learning how to make cocktails at home. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I’m Tom Blake, pro bartender, bar manager, avid traveller, author of ‘The Bartender’s Field Manual’ (our official bartender’s guide) and founder of the Crafty Bartending website. It makes me want to gather stories from the good ol' gooey soda jet and sticky syrup days of the 70s and 80s. 1904 - Applegreen's Bar Book by John Applegreen (Chicago, USA) It takes 5 seconds to join, and we never spam. And he is masterful at exploring the emotional complexities of family and community through the eyes of a precocious youth… And one of the best and most easily accessible ways to learn about almost anything is to read. The intimacy with which he communicates their process and histories as well as his own are inspiring. Good list! The Aviary Cocktail Book is a beautiful, recent addition to the cocktail book canon. But I love Smuggler’s Cove. It's equally a work of art as it is a book of recipes. This book establishes the classic recipes before we started layering more drinks with smaller quantities to enhance the nuances. So if you’re still relatively new to bartending, come back to this book later, when you’re ready to delve deeper into different flavor combinations. From the theory of alcohol, liquor, beer & wine, to the finer complexities of crafting delicious cocktails & providing outstanding customer service. Most of the classics that you would need and just enough history and talking points to keep the conversation going without scaring the non-discriminating drinking partner away.”, Shake. In times where we are stuck at home and can’t travel, books that transport you to another place are always comforting and helps feed our wanderlust. The Joy of Mixology by Gary Regan — “This is a book that changed my life early on during our modern-day craft cocktail movement. Why you should read this book: If you’re an advanced bartender who loves cocktails/mixology, you should read this book. Nice selection of books Tom! So don’t neglect, If you like your history, and if you like cocktails & spirits, this book is about to become your best friend. Why you should read this book: To learn how & why to apply different bartending techniques. Your email address will not be published. Well-known bartender, Harry Craddock of The Savoy Hotel, first published his cocktail book in 1930. That’s why I love reading and that’s why you should read too. Historical books will provide a broader perspective for bartenders, and can provide a great resource to feel more engaged and connected to your work. A world of craft cocktails, infusions, philosophy, techniques, and more. Regarding Cocktails from the late Sasha Petraske is full of modern classics, variations, theory and lore. It’s engaging, funny, and accurate. 30 comments. And to be fair, even if you don’t like history, you’ll still enjoy this book. Sale! I’ll have to check it properly now. Meyer is a big deal in the hospitality industry. It’s in the rest section but I couldn’t justify putting it in the top ten as the recipes are a little outdated. This book shines a light to guide you through all the complexities as well as just how to enjoy them.”, “This book, brought together through posthumous collaboration, was one of those Holy Grail-type reads for me. Many walks of life were partaking in one main event, and the stories are told in postcards.”, Drinking Distilled by Jeffrey Morgenthaler — “Written by a fun-loving bartender with an acerbic wit, this book breaks down bar behavior, both behind and in front. Exotic cocktails never really landed in my wheelhouse of bar tricks. Once you’ve had some initial experience working with cocktails, this book should be your next challenge. If The Craft of the Cocktail is the intro, this is the advanced class.”, Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails by Shannon Mustipher — “Shannon has taken the genre of Tiki and updated it for the modern rum drinker. Meehan has been recognized as a rising star mixologist by Star Chefs Online Culinary Magazine, Cheers Magazine and as the 2009 American Bartender of the Year at Tales of the Cocktail. It’s filled with mini biographies of fierce women from all across history, each inspiring a cocktail recipe from female-identifying bartenders who tend bar around the world (myself included). If you’re lacking in the wine knowledge department, ‘Wine Folly’ (they also have a great blog) is the best introductory book I’ve found on the subject. And did you know that you can make a mean liquor from banana juice? If you’re new to bartending, this is the first book I’d recommend you read. This is the first book I ever read on bartending and I loved it. He has written about drinks, food and travel for publications including Vice, Boston.com, UrbanDaddy, InsideHook, and The Food Lens. “A great gift for the novice or home bartender would be a complete set of tools: weighted shaker tins, a jigger, a hawthorn strainer/julep strainer, a bar spoon, and possibly mixing glass. Always exercise due diligence before purchasing any product or service. In essence, ‘Death & Co’ is a complete education in making, balancing, and creating cocktails from scratch. It’s interesting, funny, and easy to read. The history of cocktails and cocktail books is an interesting one. And he’s written one of the most useful introductory books on the subject. Amy covers over 300 different ingredients, from bananas to agave, that can be used to make liquor. Drinking Distilled by Jeffrey Morgenthaler — “Written by a fun-loving bartender with an acerbic wit, this book breaks down bar behavior, both behind and in front. Plus, you’ll get over 100 proven cocktail & shot recipes to dig your teeth into. Note: Most of these books are better to purchase in print version (i.e. While the Ultimate Bar Book boasted an impressive 1,000 recipes, there was too much crammed into such a small book and a lot of unnecessary repetition. Thanks Nico. He is a contributing editor of Food & Wine magazine's annual cocktail book, Mr. Boston's Bartender Guide, and Sommelier Journal. It’s educational, entertaining, and inspiring. In that spirit, we’ve reached out to bartenders from San Diego to Toronto—many of them authors themselves—to get their top cocktail book recommendations. Why you should read this book: To learn how to effectively work with people, make people feel special (and why that’s important), and to ensure that guests keep coming back for more. 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