The Book of Cocktails

Rating:
Summary: Great introduction.
Review: In its roughly 50 parts, all written by experienced cooks and cook book writers, HP Books' "The Book of ... Cooking" series takes you to the cuisines of various regions of the U.S. and around the world; all in easy to follow, well-explained recipes.

This installment, the Book of Cocktails, starts with a brief introduction into the basics of mixing cocktails, the contents of a well-assorted liquor cabinet, and the necessary equipment and glasses, followed by an assortment of garnishes, frostings, toppings and accompaniments and an overview of the main uses of ice in a cocktail. It then presents suggestions for all major types of cocktails, from gin based drinks to non-alcoholic and other mixed drinks. Special chapters are dedicated to whiskey, vodka, rum, brandy, wine and champagne based drinks. Classics such as Bloody Mary, Bourbon Mint Julep, champagne cocktail, Cuba Libre (or more politically correct, "Rum and Coke"), Daiquiris, Egg Nogg, John (or Tom) Collins, Kir Royale, Mai Tai, dry and sweet Manhattan and Martini, Margarita, Pina Colada, Planter's Punch, Rob Roy, Sangria, Screwdriver, Shirley Temple, Singapore Sling, Tequila Sunrise, Tia Maria and Whiskey Sour appear next to unique cocktails such as "Boo Boo's Special" (angostura bitter and tropical fruit juices), "Gold Passion" (passionfruit and white rum spirit, vodka, and pineapple juice), "Moscow Mule" (vodka, lemon juice and ginger beer), "Ruby Shy" (coconut and white rum spirit, blackcurrant cordial and lemonade), and "Strawberry Dawn" (gin, coconut cream and strawberries). The book ends with a brief glossary of the most frequent cocktail ingredients.

From almond liqueur to Yoghurt Fizz and Zombie, this collection of recipes, while not all-encompassing (conspicuously absent is last year's party king, the Cosmo), is a great introduction to the endless possibilities of mixing drinks, both with and without alcohol.

Rating:
Summary: Great introduction.
Review: In its roughly 50 parts, all written by experienced cooks and cook book writers, HP Books' "The Book of ... Cooking" series takes you to the cuisines of various regions of the U.S. and around the world; all in easy to follow, well-explained recipes.

This installment, the Book of Cocktails, starts with a brief introduction into the basics of mixing cocktails, the contents of a well-assorted liquor cabinet, and the necessary equipment and glasses, followed by an assortment of garnishes, frostings, toppings and accompaniments and an overview of the main uses of ice in a cocktail. It then presents suggestions for all major types of cocktails, from gin based drinks to non-alcoholic and other mixed drinks. Special chapters are dedicated to whiskey, vodka, rum, brandy, wine and champagne based drinks. Classics such as Bloody Mary, Bourbon Mint Julep, champagne cocktail, Cuba Libre (or more politically correct, "Rum and Coke"), Daiquiris, Egg Nogg, John (or Tom) Collins, Kir Royale, Mai Tai, dry and sweet Manhattan and Martini, Margarita, Pina Colada, Planter's Punch, Rob Roy, Sangria, Screwdriver, Shirley Temple, Singapore Sling, Tequila Sunrise, Tia Maria and Whiskey Sour appear next to unique cocktails such as "Boo Boo's Special" (angostura bitter and tropical fruit juices), "Gold Passion" (passionfruit and white rum spirit, vodka, and pineapple juice), "Moscow Mule" (vodka, lemon juice and ginger beer), "Ruby Shy" (coconut and white rum spirit, blackcurrant cordial and lemonade), and "Strawberry Dawn" (gin, coconut cream and strawberries). The book ends with a brief glossary of the most frequent cocktail ingredients.

From almond liqueur to Yoghurt Fizz and Zombie, this collection of recipes, while not all-encompassing (conspicuously absent is last year's party king, the Cosmo), is a great introduction to the endless possibilities of mixing drinks, both with and without alcohol.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful photographs and imaginative drinks
Review: This book offers A to Z recipes on a host of our favorite drinks as well as the exotic. It also offers tips on stocking the home bar, tools of the trade, possible appetizers and recommendations on glassware. Each recipe included a photograph. I truly enjoyed this book.