New Classic Cocktails

Rating:
Summary: Nice Eye Candy But Hard to Swallow
Review: A book so lovely it seems more appropriate on a coffee table than behind a bar. Recipies can be odd: ingredients for one cocktail includes sea urchin and wasabi, another combines Baileys and Jagermeister. With fifty recipies, this is not the definitive bible on mixology. If you are looking for a primer, try the "Harvard Student Agencies Bartending Course"; if you want beauty and drink history, try "Cocktail" by Paul Harrington. Nonetheless, "New Classic Cocktails" does succeed in a few areas. It is seductively beautiful in its photography and it offers up truly unique concoctions. If you're not afraid to add chocolate to a martini, it's a worthwhile addition to your reference collection.

Rating:
Summary: Nice Eye Candy But Hard to Swallow
Review: A book so lovely it seems more appropriate on a coffee table than behind a bar. Recipies can be odd: ingredients for one cocktail includes sea urchin and wasabi, another combines Baileys and Jagermeister. With fifty recipies, this is not the definitive bible on mixology. If you are looking for a primer, try the "Harvard Student Agencies Bartending Course"; if you want beauty and drink history, try "Cocktail" by Paul Harrington. Nonetheless, "New Classic Cocktails" does succeed in a few areas. It is seductively beautiful in its photography and it offers up truly unique concoctions. If you're not afraid to add chocolate to a martini, it's a worthwhile addition to your reference collection.

Rating:
Summary: Pull out your best barware....
Review: I got this book a couple of years ago for cocktail ideas for New Years Eve, but I find myself reaching for it time and time again. This book is perfect for the entertainer who is tired of serving rum and cokes or vodka tonics. I WOW'ed a whole boat of thirsty sailors last summer by showing up with a jug full of Bolo's Pomegranate Sangria (and they are STILL talking about it). This summer I took Bolo's White Peach Sangria recipe and substituted champagne for the ultimate dico party refreshment! And as far as the Cosmopolitans with their sugar and orange zested rims, let's just say that this book has made my batches infamous around my circle of friends! And the book goes on to include some of my personal bar favorites such as the Oatmeal Cookie and Lemon Drops (or try the Komikaze made with Chambord!).

Keep in mind that this book is a collection of exotic and famous concoctions from bartenders across the country. These are elegant, top notch cocktails to be served in your best barware for your favorite friends. So sure, there are recipes that have some odd ingredients (yes, it IS difficult to find pomegranate juice at your local grocery) but with savvy you can make some small substitutions and still come out a winner. This book will get you experimenting and serving something other than bloody marys at your next brunch! Have fun with these!!

(On an odd side note, I did go to Carbo's here in Atlanta and asked them for their "Just Peachy" cocktail that they invented, and well, they had no idea what I was talking about. I just had to go home and make one myself!!)

Rating:
Summary: It is also a party favor!
Review: This book is not only a wealth of information in the bartending business, it also doubles as a party favor...There has not been a party yet that this book has not received more attention than the bartender. For a serious entertainer this is a MUST have! Happy gatherings

Rating:
Summary: It has enhanced our ability to spend money on alcohol
Review: This is a beautiful book with wonderful photographs. It is well written full of delightful stories behind the drinks. There are definitely interesting and different cocktails included, but already the book has been worth the price as we have had two incredible winners (Chambord Kamikaze & Pink Lemonade) with two tries.