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New Cocktail and Drink Books for Winter 2019

It's time for the big list of pre-holiday cocktail book releases! These books have all just launched (and in some cases, are just about to) to capture your holiday shopping dollars. TREAT YOSELF.

As usual, the links are to Amazon to purchase the books, and the descriptions are not reviews by me but text from the publishers. There are so many great books here I'm going to have to hibernate all winter to read half of them. 

 

Just the Tonic: A Natural History of Tonic Water by Kim Walker and Mark Nesbitt

412DpHeawsL._SX354_BO1 204 203 200_Tonic water elicits images of sparkling drinks and stirred concoctions, but it has a history that reaches beyond the bar. Its roots go back centuries, starting with the Andes and the cinchona tree, and it had its start as a natural medicine instead of as a tasty mixer. Quinine, tonic water’s signature ingredient, was once used to treat Malaria and is still used by some to soothe leg cramps. From the Quechua people and Spanish colonists, to French chemists and British officers, the journey from botanical discovery to cocktail staple is a fascinating story.

Just the Tonic is an accessible yet informative history of tonic water, written by leading experts from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew—which is home to one of the largest collections in the world of historic cinchona. It takes us through the discovery and development of quinine and its eventual meeting with sparkling water. It also introduces us to the basic botany and development of the cinchona tree.
The iconic gin and tonic cocktail is not forgotten in these pages. The authors look at the changing role of the drink, tracing the rise and fall, and rise again, of cocktails straight from officers’ messes of British India, the art deco cocktail bars of the 1920s, through to the Mad Men era and the recent resurgence of gin as a drink of choice. A final chapter on cocktail recipes provides instructions on how to make delicious alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks using an array of different tonics and spirits. Mixed into the book are reproductions of stunning historical artwork, posters, and photographs.
This is the first authoritative book on the history and role of tonic water, making it the perfect addition to both bookshelves and bar carts.

 

 

The Bourbon King: The Life and Crimes of George Remus, Prohibition's Evil Genius by Bob Batchelor

51q5ShpnhWL._SX333_BO1 204 203 200_On the 100th anniversary of The Volstead Act comes the epic, definitive story of the man who cracked the Prohibition system, became one of the world’s richest criminal masterminds, and helped inspire The Great Gatsby.

Love, murder, political intrigue, mountains of cash, and rivers of bourbon . . . The tale of George Remus is a grand spectacle and a lens into the dark heart of Prohibition. Yes, Congress gave teeth to Prohibition in October 1919, but the law didn’t stop George Remus from amassing a fortune that would be worth billions of dollars today. As one Jazz Age journalist put it, “Remus was to bootlegging what Rockefeller was to oil.”

Author Bob Batchelor breathes life into the largest bootlegging operation in America—greater than that of Al Capone—and a man considered the best criminal defense lawyer of his era. Remus bought an empire of distilleries on Kentucky’s “Bourbon Trail” and used his other profession, as a pharmacist, to profit off legal loopholes. He spent millions bribing officials in the Harding Administration, and he created a roaring lifestyle that epitomized the Jazz Age over which he ruled.

That is, before he came crashing down in one of the most sensational murder cases in American history: a cheating wife, the G-man who seduced her and put Remus in jail, and the plunder of a Bourbon Empire. Remus murdered his wife in cold-blood and then shocked a nation winning his freedom based on a condition he invented—temporary maniacal insanity.

 

 

YES WAY ROSÉ A Guide to the Pink Wine State of Mind by Erica Blumenthal and Nikki Huganir

51JQ4uqGTmL._SX412_BO1 204 203 200_Get in the pink wine state of mind with Yes Way Rosé, the ultimate guide to drinking and entertaining with the blush beverage, from the creators of @yeswayrose!

Fresh, easygoing, and a little bit whimsical, rose is more than just a wine -- it's shorthand for an entire lifestyle. And nothing embodies the lighthearted joy of "drinking pink" more than the wine and lifestyle brand Yes Way Rosé.

Equal parts informative and celebratory, Yes Way Rosé is both a wine primer and a source of lifestyle inspiration. Readers will learn the ins and outs of rose production, as well as the major wine-making regions, before diving into food pairings, rose cocktails, and even rose-inspired astrology.

From Rosé 101, tasting notes, and recipes, to tips on maintaining "rose vibes" and throwing an incredible soiree, Erica Blumenthal and Nikki Huganir translate their vibrant, humorous, and well-informed passion for rose into an irresistible gift book. Overflowing with full-color photographs and cheeky illustrations, Yes Way Rosé is the perfect read for anyone who has ever fallen under the alluring spell of pink wine.

 

The NoMad Cocktail Book by Leo Robitschek

31n5G8TQvBL._SX341_BO1 204 203 200_An illustrated collection of nearly 300 cocktail recipes from the award-winning NoMad Bar, with locations in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

Originally published as a separate book packaged inside The NoMad Cookbook, this revised and stand-alone edition of The NoMad Cocktail Book features more than 100 brand-new recipes (for a total of more than 300 recipes), a service manual explaining the art of drink-making according to the NoMad, and 30 new full-color cocktail illustrations (for a total of more than 80 color and black-and-white illustrations). Organized by type of beverage from aperitifs and classics to light, dark, and soft cocktails and syrups/infusions, this comprehensive guide shares the secrets of bar director Leo Robitschek's award-winning cocktail program. The NoMad Bar celebrates classically focused cocktails, while delving into new arenas such as festive, large-format drinks and a selection of reserve cocktails crafted with rare spirits.

 

Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible 2020: North American Edition by Jim Murray

41Y8OM77uTL._SX247_BO1 204 203 200_This is the world’s most influential book on whisky. Thanks to industry guru Jim Murray and his internationally acclaimed annual Whisky Bible, the Japanese are now running out of their own single malt and people have fought in Toronto liquor stores to grab the last bottle of his World Whisky of the Year. Rye, Irish Pot Still and Bourbon have all seen a massive resurgence in recent years not least thanks to the visionary campaigning of the world’s first-ever full time professional whisky writer. Murray has tasted nearly 20,000 different whiskies for the Whisky Bible since it first hit the shelves in 2003. For this 2020 edition, he reflects on over another 1,200. The 4,700 whiskies included in this 2020 edition range from Scottish Single malts to Australian; from Canadian to Austrian. The whiskies from over 30 different countries are included. And evaluated in his forthright, honest, amusing, fiercely independent and non-pretentious style.

 

 

 

 

 

The Aviary: Holiday Cocktails  by Grant Achatz, Nick Kokonas, Allen Hemberger

EFrZebOUYAIHmH-From acclaimed Chef Grant Achatz and the award-winning team that created THE AVIARY COCKTAIL BOOK comes the perfect pairing for the holiday season.

Over 30 all-new delicious recipes that are fun and easy to make at home
The perfect guide to drinks for the entire holiday season, from Halloween through the Super Bowl
Filled with gorgeous, large-format photography, and printed and bound using the most cutting-edge technologies
Measuring approximately 8.5"x11.5"x0.5", this softcover cocktail journal is brimming with creative, unique ideas to enjoy at home or to share with loved ones at your next holiday gathering.

 

 

Minimalist Tiki by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith

Screen Shot 2019-11-24 at 11.45.49 AMTiki expert Matt Pietrek of Cocktail Wonk fame demystifies the Tiki recipe pattern via a simple, ingredient-based analysis of classic Tiki recipes like the Mai Tai, Zombie and Navy Grog. (There are charts!)

Part 2 imparts advanced knowledge about the recipe improvisation, exotic garnishes, and advanced topics like Tiki fire and dry ice.

The book features 100 original recipes like the White Zombie, Commando Grog and Disco Banana from two dozen world-class bartenders and bars such as Lost Lake, Pagan Idol, and Three Dots and a Dash.

 

How to Cocktail: Recipes and Techniques for Building the Best Drinks by America's Test Kitchen

417gOfue0VL._SX359_BO1 204 203 200_All the kitchen secrets, techniques, recipes, and inspiration you need to craft transcendent cocktails, from essential, canonical classics to imaginative all-new creations from America's Test Kitchen.

Cocktail making is part art and part science--just like cooking. The first-ever cocktail book from America's Test Kitchen brings our objective, kitchen-tested and -perfected approach to the craft of making cocktails. You always want your cocktail to be something special--whether you're in the mood for a simple Negroni, a properly muddled Caipirinha, or a big batch of Margaritas or Bloody Marys with friends. After rigorous recipe testing, we're able to reveal not only the ideal ingredient proportions and best mixing technique for each drink, but also how to make homemade tonic for your Gin and Tonic, and homemade sweet vermouth and cocktail cherries for your Manhattan. And you can't simply quadruple any Margarita recipe and have it turn out right for your group of guests--to serve a crowd, the proportions must change. You can always elevate that big-batch Margarita, though, with our Citrus Rim Salt or Sriracha Rim Salt. How to Cocktail offers 150 recipes that range from classic cocktails to new America's Test Kitchen originals. Our two DIY chapters offer streamlined recipes for making superior versions of cocktail cherries, cocktail onions, flavored syrups, rim salts and sugars, bitters, vermouths, liqueurs, and more. And the final chapter includes a dozen of our test cooks' favorite cocktail-hour snacks. All along the way, we solve practical challenges for the home cook, including how to make an array of cocktails without having to buy lots of expensive bottles, how to use a Boston shaker, what kinds of ice are best and how to make them, and much more.

 


Great Northern Cocktails by Shawn Soole

41plWeXDDmL._SX328_BO1 204 203 200_Hidden in the vast northern reaches of North America, Canadian bartenders have been shaking, stirring, building, and throwing some of the finest drinks the world has ever savoured. Yes, there’s more to Canada’s mixed drink repertoire that its national beverage, the Bloody Caesar! Victoria barman and author Shawn Soole proudly presents the people and drinks that introduce readers to this widening scope of concepts and concoctions in Great Northern Cocktails.

“Canada has always been that big, snow-covered country to the north of the United States where people live in igloos and ride moose to school,” Soole remarks. “Obviously, this is an exaggeration on Canadian stereotypes but our culture, climate, and people are some of the most diverse in the world. Canada is rich in world cultures and in the last ten to fifteen years has slowly and apologetically become a cocktail culture powerhouse.”

With over 140+ drink recipes plus syrup, tincture, and infusion formulae, Soole introduces veteran and new Canadian drink talents who preside in the nation’s bars from Vancouver Island to Nova Scotia and their recipes, along with bartending tips, a range of easy-to-follow homemade ingredients, and a glossary so even novice mixers can follow along.

About Shawn Soole:

Shawn Soole’s experience and advancement of the bar industry have been prolific. He co-authored the 2013 book Cocktail Culture and provides ongoing contributions to publications including Liquor.comandEAT Magazine.He has increased public awareness of spirits produced in British Columbiaand continues to advocate his mission ‘to make the industry better for everyone’ through his Post Shiftpodcast. His input has been vital to the launch and/or ongoing success of numerous bar and beverage programs. Shawn founded Soole Hospitality Concepts (SHC)—a network of industry leaders with decades of multi-faceted experience. Together they provide innovative responses to all the needs of hospitality-oriented businesses. His latest undertaking is the conceptual development, systems implementation, and launch guidance for Miss Fitzand Roxy, two bars under the SOS Groupbanner in Singapore.


The Bucket List: Beer: 1000 Adventures " Pubs " Breweries " Festivals by Justin Kennedy

5183CAKZNuL._SX384_BO1 204 203 200_Finally--a beer-centric bucket list! Celebrating beer worldwide, this is a must-have for any beer aficionado. Whether you're planning a pub crawl, a weekend in the country, or a longer vacation, this book is a trove of ideas for the beer lover.

As is to be expected, this lively guide to beer-related travel contains a comprehensive list of hundreds of breweries large and small--both long-standing and freshly minted--that are open for tours and tastings along with an in-depth look at their different approaches to brewing, philosophies about flavors and ingredients, and what makes their beers special.

But this book digs deep into the world of beer and includes a multitude of ideas for exploring the world's best beer destinations: the Pacific Northwest's gleaming modern taprooms; atmospheric English pubs; iconic breweries including San Francisco's Anchor Steam and the Czech Republic's original Pilsner; boisterous festivals from Munich's Oktoberfest to Denver's Great American Beer; and other points of interest such as Germany's pop-up beer gardens or a pub crawl in Dublin where you can hoist a Guinness at James Joyce's favorite pub.

The book is liberally illustrated with atmospheric photos and reproductions of beer labels and logos and includes information on beer styles, food and beer pairings, drinking traditions, glassware, and a primer on brewing.


Drunk in China: Baijiu and the World’s Oldest Drinking Culture by Derek Sandhaus

41JOvgEotGL._SX331_BO1 204 203 200_China is one of the world’s leading producers and consumers of liquor, with alcohol infusing all aspects of its culture, from religion and literature to business and warfare. Yet to the outside world, China’s most famous spirit, baijiu, remains a mystery. This is about to change, as baijiu is now being served in cocktail bars beyond its borders.

Drunk in China follows Derek Sandhaus’s journey of discovery into the world’s oldest drinking culture. He travels throughout the country and around the globe to meet with distillers, brewers, snake-oil salesmen, archaeologists, and ordinary drinkers. He examines the many ways in which alcohol has shaped Chinese society and its rituals. He visits production floors, karaoke parlors, hotpot joints, and speakeasies. Along the way he uncovers a tradition spanning more than nine thousand years and explores how recent economic and political developments have conspired to push Chinese alcohol beyond the nation’s borders for the first time. As Chinese society becomes increasingly international, its drinking culture must also adapt to the times. Can the West also adapt and clink glasses with China? Read Drunk in China and find out.

 


The Art of the Garnish by Leeann Lavin

51YEAzKdWWL._SX409_BO1 204 203 200_Full of tips, tricks, and instructional illustrations about how to prepare a wide range of cocktail garnishes, The Art of the Garnish is a mixology must-have!

The perfect cocktail is a sight to behold, and it is often enhanced both in flavor and appearance thanks to a garnish. Learn the ins and outs of garnishing your drinks with The Art of the Garnish. Full of tips, tricks, and instructional illustrations on the right way to prepare a dizzying array of garnishes, from herbs and citrus to nuts, candy, meat, and jewelry, this book is a must-have for the aspiring mixologist! Like all the books in the “Art of Entertaining” series The Art of the Garnish offers easy-to-follow recipes and colorful photographs; the beautiful images detail how these garnishes enhance cocktails and will help make you the star of happy hour.

 

Fancy AF Cocktails: Drink Recipes from a Couple of Professional Drinkers by Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval

51iQT2QWhbL._SX390_BO1 204 203 200_Bravo's hit show Vanderpump Rules, which Vogue recently called "America's perfect reality show," is a spin-off of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The show is centered around the crazy, booze-fueled lives of the staff at Lisa Vanderpump's wildly popular SUR restaurant in West Hollywood. Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval, two of the show’s stars, fell in love on the show and have stuck together through it all. They've been talking about writing a cocktail book on the show for a few seasons, and now they're finally delivering the goods with this book that has drinks for every situation. It features a mix of classy cocktails for fancy special occasions and trashier recipes for those times when you just have a few random ingredients in your kitchen and want to keep the buzz going. Shots and recovery recipes are also included, so your pregame and morning after will be covered too. Woven throughout are brand-new photos and behind-the-scenes stories crafted with the help of Bravo insider and co-author Danny Pellegrino, making this a true must-have for fans of the show.

 

A Rum Tale: Spirit of the New World by Joseph Piercy 

51AddmiOHUL._SX327_BO1 204 203 200_Steeped in a long, diverse history, rum is a spirit that has meaning in cultures across the globe, from its home in the Caribbean and Barbados, through the ranks of the Royal Navy, to the Australian rum rebellion. Here Joseph Piercy delves into the rich history of rum, from the invasion of the Caribbean to the real pirates of the Caribbean who gave use some of our best known brands of rum today, such as Henry "Captain" Morgan. He explores the legend of Nelson's blood (whose body was said to be stored in a rum barrel for transport) and the rum-running of U.S. Prohibition, which stoked the Bacardi family's rise to fame and fortune. As it experiences a long-overdue resurgence in popularity, alongside a fascinating history, Piercy shares his experience of this versatile spirit, listing rums not to miss and delicious rum-based cocktails you can try at home. This is a fun little book that no drinks connoisseur should be without.

 

 


The Postmodern Bartender by Hayden Wood

518XCJQHWcL._SX276_BO1 204 203 200_Find a new favorite drink in this bartender's guide that offers a novel approach to the simple cocktail. Organized by flavor profiles, this volume explores the range of possible mixed drinks based on personal tastes. Over 1,000 recipes, from the simple to the fresh squeezed, from the classic to the trending, are all detailed here. Also profiled are beers, whiskeys, sakes, and more. Written by famed Australian drinksmith Hayden Wood, there is also plenty of good barkeeping advice, instructions and illustrations for flair pouring, and a short literary supplement of Bukowskiesque, true-to-life stories from bartenders around the world.

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