Fall Drink Books 2020: Drink Culture and Food Science
October 28, 2020
It's a big batch of booze books for fall! As typical, there is a big rush of publications before the holiday season. I have another post going up in later November of some books not available just yet, and then I'll publish my annual list of all the booze books out this year.
Several of these books I first learned about from Good Spirits News, thanks!
As usual, the descriptions of the below books come from the publishers and are not reviews. Links to purchase are to Amazon and Bookshop, the latter supports local independent bookstores.
A Long Stride: The Story of the World's No. 1 Scotch Whisky by Nicholas Morgan
The history of Johnnie Walker, beginning in 1820, is also the history of Scotch whisky. But who was John Walker―the man who started the story? And how did his business grow from the shelves of a small grocery shop in Kilmarnock to become the world’s number one Scotch?
A Long Stride tells the story of how John Walker and a succession of ingenious and progressive business leaders embraced their Scottish roots to walk confidently on an international stage. By doing things their own way, Johnnie Walker overturned the conventions of late Victorian and Edwardian Britain, survived two world wars, and flourished despite prohibition and the Great Depression to become the first truly global whisky brand, revolutionizing the world of advertising along the way. Ultimately the story is a testament to how an obsession with quality and a relentless drive to always move forward created the most recognized Scotch whisky brand in the world.
Star Trek Cocktails: A Stellar Compendium by Glenn Dakin
Set your taste-buds to stunned! These Cosmic recipes will take you where no one has gone before. They're cocktails, Jim, but not as you know them....
The perfect holiday gift for the Star Trek fan in your life!
Have you ever longed for a taste of Romulan Ale? Or pined for the mellowing effect of Dr McCoy's Mint Julep? Perhaps a Fuzzy Tribble would get you purring? Or a soothing sip of Captain Picard's Earl Grey Martini? This voyage into the future of stylish drinking is a must for all Star Trek - and cocktail - fans. With a galaxy of illustrations, and a witty garnish of quotations, this book will help you celebrate your favorite show.
Mix the classic cocktails served on Starfleet starships throughout the Federation! Picard, Kirk, McCoy, Scotty, Quark, and more - try out each crew member's favorite!
Classy as Fuck Cocktails: 60+ Damn Good Recipes for All Occasions
From the bestselling Calligraphuck line!
Classy as Fuck Cocktails is a cocktail book that celebrates the fine arts of drinking and swearing.
Feeling classy as fuck? Have a Bellini. Life kicking your ass? Try a Corpse Reviver. Expecting company? Batch that shit!
• Includes more than 60 recipes ranging from the fucking classics to fancy-ass twists
• Features dozens of variations including low and non-alcohol options
• Covers the basics on glassware, hardware, spirits, and methods
This cocktail collection is a fucking must for beginners and experienced mixologists alike.
Complete with a gold foil-stamped cover, gilded page edges, metallic ink, and sassy calligraphy throughout, this makes this a stylish addition to any home bar.
• Makes a great pick for cocktail enthusiasts of all skill levels—from beginners to experienced mixologists—who don't shy away from cursing
• Pair it with a cocktail shaker, shot glasses, coasters, or other barware for an extra-special holiday or birthday present.
• Perfect gift for a host or hostess, Mother's or Father's Day, or an anytime surprise for a friend
• Add it to the shelf with books like The Little Black Book Of Cocktails: The Essential Guide to New & Old Classics by Virginia Reynolds, Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist by Tim Federle, and Big Bad-Ass Book of Cocktails: 1,500 Recipes to Mix It Up! by Running Press.
Shake Strain Done: Craft Cocktails at Home by J. M. Hirsch
Revolutionize the way you drink at home with simple recipes and common ingredients -- no obscure liquors or fussy techniques needed -- from the editorial director of Milk Street, J.M. Hirsch.
Are you done with generic gin and tonics, mediocre Manhattans and basic martinis? You can use pantry staples and basic liquors to produce more than 200 game-changing craft cocktails worthy of a seat at the bar.
Many cocktail books call for hard-to-find ingredients and complicated techniques that can frustrate home cocktail makers. Shake Strain Done shows a better way:
If you can shake, strain, stir and turn on a blender, you can make great cocktails.
No tedious secondary recipes hidden between the lines.
No mysteries. You'll know what each drink will taste like before you pick up a bottle.
No fancy equipment needed. A shaker, strainer and spoon are as exotic as it gets.
The ingredients are mostly pantry and bar staples--things you already have on hand.
Every drink is rated by its characteristics -- Warm, Refreshing, Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Fruity, Herbal, Creamy, Spicy, Strong and Smoky -- to help expand your horizons and find more drinks to love.
These are drinks with the sophistication of a high-end speakeasy, minus the fuss, like:
The Sazerac 2.0 - a spice cabinet update that takes the classic back to its origins
A new White Russian that lightens the load with coconut water instead of cream
A grownup Singapore Sling that's fruity without tasting like fruit punch
A Scorched Margarita that uses the broiler to char those lemons and limes
A feisty new Gin and Tonic in which black pepper is the star ingredient
And plenty of originals, like the Pooh Bear. Butter, honey and bourbon? Yes, please! And Mistakes Were Made, for tiki time
Science and Cooking: Physics Meets Food, From Homemade to Haute Cuisine by Michael Brenner, Pia Sörensen, David Weitz
Based on the popular Harvard University and edX course, Science and Cooking explores the scientific basis of why recipes work.
The spectacular culinary creations of modern cuisine are the stuff of countless articles and social media feeds. But to a scientist they are also perfect pedagogical explorations into the basic scientific principles of cooking. In Science and Cooking, Harvard professors Michael Brenner, Pia Sörensen, and David Weitz bring the classroom to your kitchen to teach the physics and chemistry underlying every recipe.
Why do we knead bread? What determines the temperature at which we cook a steak, or the amount of time our chocolate chip cookies spend in the oven? Science and Cooking answers these questions and more through hands-on experiments and recipes from renowned chefs such as Christina Tosi, Joanne Chang, and Wylie Dufresne, all beautifully illustrated in full color. With engaging introductions from revolutionary chefs and collaborators Ferran Adria and José Andrés, Science and Cooking will change the way you approach both subjects―in your kitchen and beyond.
Nose Dive: A Field Guide to the World's Smells by Harold McGee
The ultimate guide to the smells of the universe - the ambrosial to the malodorous, and everything in between - from the author of the acclaimed culinary guides On Food and Cooking and Keys to Good Cooking
From Harold McGee, James Beard Award-winning author and leading expert on the science of food and cooking, comes an extensive exploration of the awe-inspiring world of smell. In Nose Dive, McGee takes us on a sensory-filled adventure, from the sulfurous nascent earth more than four billion years ago, to the sweetly fragrant Tian Shan mountain range north of the Himalayas, to the keyboard of your laptop, where trace notes of formaldehyde escape between the keys. We'll sniff the ordinary (wet pavement and cut grass) and extraordinary (fresh bread and chocolate), the delightful (roses and vanilla) and the unpleasant (spoiled meat and rotten eggs). We'll smell each other. We'll smell ourselves.
Through it all, McGee familiarizes us with the actual bits of matter that we breathe in -- the molecules that trigger our perceptions, that prompt the citrusy smells of coriander and beer and the medicinal smells of daffodils and sea urchins. And like everything in the physical world, molecules have histories. Many of the molecules that we smell every day existed long before any creature was around to smell them -- before there was even a planet for those creatures to live on. Beginning with the origins of those molecules in interstellar space, McGee moves onward through the smells of our planet, the air and the oceans, the forest and the meadows and the city, all the way to the smells of incense, perfume, wine, and food.
Here is a story of the world, of all of the smells under our collective nose. A work of astounding scholarship and originality, Nose Dive distills the science behind the smells and translates it, as only McGee can, into an accessible and entertaining guide. Incorporating the latest insights of biology and chemistry, and interwoven with personal observations, McGee reveals how our sense of smell has the power to expose invisible, intangible details of our material world and life, and trigger in us feelings that are the very essence of being alive.
The Flavor Equation: The Science of Great Cooking Explained in More Than 100 Essential Recipes by Nik Sharma
"Deep and illuminating, fresh and highly informative. a most brilliant achievement." – Yotam Ottolenghi
"[A] beautiful and intelligent book." – J. Kenji López-Alt, author The Food Lab and Chief Consultant for Serious Eats.com
Aroma, texture, sound, emotion—these are just a few of the elements that play into our perceptions of flavor.
The Flavor Equation demonstrates how to convert approachable spices, herbs, and commonplace pantry items into tasty, simple dishes.
In this groundbreaking book, Nik Sharma, scientist, food blogger, and author of the buzz-generating cookbook Season, guides home cooks on an exploration of flavor in more than 100 recipes.
• Provides inspiration and knowledge to both home cooks and seasoned chefs
• An in-depth exploration into the science of taste
• Features Nik Sharma's evocative, trademark photography style
The Flavor Equation is an accessible guide to elevating elemental ingredients to make delicious dishes that hit all the right notes, every time.
Recipes include Brightness: Lemon-Lime Mintade, Saltiness: Roasted Tomato and Tamarind Soup, Sweetness: Honey Turmeric Chicken Kebabs with Pineapple, Savoriness: Blistered Shishito Peppers with Bonito Flakes, and Richness: Coconut Milk Cake.
• A global, scientific approach to cooking from bestselling cookbook author Nik Sharma
• Dives deep into the most basic of our pantry items—salts, oils, sugars, vinegars, citrus, peppers, and more
• Perfect gift for home cooks who want to learn more beyond recipes, those interested in the science of food and flavor, and readers of Lucky Peach, Serious Eats, Indian-Ish, and Koreatown
• Add it to the shelf with cookbooks like The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by J. Kenji López-Alt; The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg; and Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat.
Tequila & Tacos: A Guide to Spirited Pairings by Katherine Cobbs
Sample the country’s most tantalizing tacos paired with equally inventive tequila-inspired cocktails—from seasoned food writer and libation enthusiast Katherine Cobbs.
Tacos have been trending for years, and finally tequila is having its taco moment. While a crunchy, savory beef taco washed down with a frozen margarita is always acceptable, today the inspired options for what can be stuffed in an edible wrapper or blended with agave spirits are infinite.
Behind the bar, the burgeoning array of top-shelf tequilas and mezcals available hold their own—and even outshine—liquor mainstays like vodka, gin, and bourbon. The ubiquitous tequila shot with requisite salt and lime chaser can’t compete with the complex, nuanced flavors of the finely crafted blanco, reposado, and añejo tequilas and smoky mezcals that deserve sipping and savoring.
Featuring authentic classics like Tacos Al Pastor and Baja-style fish tacos, Tequila & Tacos also includes entirely new spins on the taco—such as fried Brussels sprout tacos, spicy cauliflower tacos in Indian paratha shells, or tempura-battered seaweed tacos cradling ahi tuna—paired with uncannily delicious cocktails crafted with the finest agave spirits, like a traditional tart Paloma cocktail rimmed with spiced salt or an eye-opening Mezcal Manhattan. Curated from bars and taco stands around the country, this book is a must-have for the taco and tequila aficionado.
On the House: Over 100 Essential Tips and Recipes for the Home Bartender by Cider Mill Press
With a copy of On the House at your side, you’ll be an instant bartending expert.
Learn how to mix up dozens of cocktails in seconds with easy-to-follow drink recipes. Make a perfect martini or serve up an Old Fashioned—whatever your poison, these classic cocktails are sure to be a showstopper. And with recipes crafted with the beginner bartender in mind, you can mix with confidence every time. This compact edition is perfect for the budding mixologist or the forgetful bartender in your life. Trust us, with a copy of On the House at your side, you’ll be an instant bartending expert.
Classic Cocktails by Brian D. Hoefling
A miniature mixology reference
This colorful, portable book presents more than one hundred easy-to-follow recipes for the most essential mixed drinks. Illustrated throughout with color photographs and full of bartending advice and historical tidbits, it will be an indispensable companion behind the bar or at your next cocktail party. 58 full-color illustrations
Drinks on the Lanai: Cocktails, Mocktails And Cheesecake Inspired By The Golden Girls by Elouise Anders
Miami can get pretty humid this time of year... It's probably time you put your feet up and unwound with a Golden Girls-centric cocktail.
Everybody needs a stiff drink from time to time, be it alcoholic or otherwise. This irreverent book is as close as you're ever going to get to clinking glasses with Rose, Blanche, Sophia and Dorothy, the sassy foursome from The Golden Girls.
More than 30 years after it first aired, The Golden Girls retains a steadily growing cult following. The show ran for seven seasons (collecting a staggering fifty-eight Emmy nominations and eleven wins along the way), and over the years, this hit comedy about four fierce and sassy broads sharing a house in Miami charmed millions of viewers with its wit and verve.
In this book, there are recipes for frozen belinis, piña coladas, coconut kisses, and other gloriously silly cocktails. There's also mocktails like the nonalcoholic Bahama Mama and Blanche's Punch (that packs quite the punch). And, because it's The Golden Girls we're talking about here, there are some cheesecake recipes for good measure.
Give Me Liberty and Give Me a Drink!: 65 Cocktails to Protest America’s Most Outlandish Alcohol Laws by C. Jarrett Dieterle
“An impassioned case against a senseless system . . . Come for the cocktail recipes, stay for the call to arms.”
—Clay Risen, author of American Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rye
“A potent, thought-provoking mixture of fun and ‘what the hell’ awareness.”
—Lew Bryson, author of Whiskey Master Class
Across this nation, in breweries, liquor stores, bars, and even our own homes, we’re being stripped of our most basic boozy rights. Thanks to Prohibition and its 100-year hangover, some of the most outdated, bizarre, and laughably loony laws still on the books today center around alcohol and how we drink it.
In New Mexico, $1 margaritas are illegal. In Utah, cocktails must be mixed behind a barrier called the “Zion curtain.” And forget about happy hour in Massachusetts—the state banned it in 1984. But we don’t have to stand down and dry up—it’s time to take to liquid protest. Created by the nation’s leading alcohol policy expert, Give Me Liberty and Give Me a Drink! combines the thirst-inducing pleasure of trivia with 65 recipes for classic and innovative cocktails.
So arm yourself with a mezcal-based One Pint, Two Pint, inspired by Vermont’s ban on beer pitchers, or The Boiling Point, a beer cocktail that is highly illegal in Virginia, and get ready to drink your way to a revolution on the rocks.
Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season by Jessica Strand
Very Merry Cocktails features more than 50 festive cocktail recipes.
This book has something for every holiday occasion, whether a kid-friendly cookie party, an elegant New Year's Eve soirée, or a cozy night in for two.
Recipes range from timeless classics and classics with a twist, to party punchbowls and zero-proof libations.
• A perfect stocking stuffer year after year
• Includes both cocktails and mocktails
• Brimming with vibrant photography
Make and enjoy seasonal drinks like like Hot Buttered Rum, the Holiday Bellini, 'Tis the Season Sangria, and Foamy Mexican Hot Chocolate.
With just the right amount of Christmas kitsch, this is an essential collection for cocktail enthusiasts, holiday hosts, and anyone who loves the holiday season.
• Packed with festive drink recipes, this book makes for a great add-on gift, stocking stuffer, or seasonal hostess gift.
• Makes a lovely addition to a holiday-themed bar cart
• Perfect for people who love Christmas and holiday drinks, merrymakers looking to get in the holiday spirit, and entertainers and hosts
• Add it to the shelf with books like The Artisanal Kitchen: Holiday Cocktails: The Best Nogs, Punches, Sparklers, and Mixed Drinks for Every Festive Occasion by Nick Mautone; Winter Cocktails: Mulled Ciders, Hot Toddies, Punches, Pitchers, and Cocktail Party Snacks by Maria del Mar Sacasa; and The Craft Cocktail Party: Delicious Drinks for Every Occasion by Julie Reiner.
Bartender as a Business: Building Agency from Craft by Jason Littrell
What do a bartender and an entrepreneur have in common? They both work long hours, sell things to people, solve problems creatively, and only eat when they work. So what’s the difference? Not much. Why not say to yourself – right now – that you’re going to be in charge. Forever. This doesn’t mean quitting your job, it means creating a business for yourself. It takes nothing else than to just say those words. No money, no bank accounts, no branding…you don’t even need an idea. Just tell yourself that you are starting your own business. Right now.A New York bartender for 12 years, Littrell has been exactly where you are. You want to start your own business, but you’re afraid. In this book, you will learn why your biggest fears are your greatest advantages.
You will also learn about creating a mindset of success, developing a personal brand, the logistical and legal basics of starting a business, and how to network. You will see lots of examples and case studies of business successes who started out just like you. You will even learn how to build a website and develop a social media presence, and how to let your brand tell your unique story. As he shares his own compelling personal narrative, Jason Littrell guides you through the entire process of transitioning from shift worker to entrepreneur--without quitting your job.You are ready for this. Start here. Start now.
Beginner's Guide to Whiskey: Traditions, Types, and Tastes of the Ultimate Spirit by Sam Green
The spirit of whiskey―distilled in this essential beginner’s guide
The Beginner’s Guide to Whiskey is the best way to become a true aficionado without taking a mixology masterclass. Inside, you’ll discover its rich history, the detailed whiskey-making process from grain to glass, the main types of brown liquor, and, of course, the fine art of savoring handcrafted whiskey. Slainte!
This complete guide includes:
What’ll it be―From Kentucky bourbon to Scotch single malt, start your sipping adventure in style with this insightful book that’s perfect for beginners.
Bartender tips―Get expert advice including how to recognize signature tasting notes like smoke, malt, fruit, and more.
Top-shelf extras―Learn how to pair it with meals and stir up some classic cocktail recipes like the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan.
Raise a glass to whiskey with this essential beginner’s guide.
The Japanese Sake Bible: Everything You Need to Know About Great Sake (With Tasting Notes and Scores for Over 100 Top Brands) by Brian Ashcraft
The Japanese Sake Bible is the ultimate book about Japan's national drink—from its history, culture and production methods to how to choose the best sake and recommended food pairings.
Author Brian Ashcraft—the author of the popular guide Japanese Whisky—has put together lively commentaries based on dozens of interviews with master brewers and sake experts across Japan. His fascinating stories are accompanied by over 300 full-color photographs, maps and drawings.
A unique feature of this book is that it includes reviews, tasting notes, scores and a buying guide for over 100 of the leading sake brands, written by respected Japanese sake expert Takashi Eguchi. These include all the sakes most commonly found outside Japan. Each sake has a photo of the label, tasting notes, a score and recommended food pairings. Information on the leading brewers is provided, and the sakes are grouped by flavor profile.
Japanese sake is brewed worldwide today and is winning over many converts. A foreword by sake connoisseur and world-renowned DJ Richie Hawtin addresses the spread in global popularity and the shared mission of making this specialty beverage as accessible as possible. With the help of this book you'll soon become an expert in selecting, serving and enjoying Japan's favorite drink.
Scotch: A Complete Introduction to Scotland’s Whiskies by Margarett Waterbury
This ultimate guide to Scotch whisky offers an insider's look into one of the world's beloved spirits—its history, production, and traditions—along with tasting notes for more than 200 common bottlings.
“Scotch whisky [has an] uncanny ability to transform a mundane moment into something special and memorable.” —Margarett Waterbury
Scotch whisky is beloved around the world. But for the uninitiated, its diversity can be bewildering. This comprehensive guide to Scotch whisky history, production, and appreciation will help you navigate the world of Scotch with confidence. Along with an overview of its intricate production process and tips for visiting your favorite distillery, Scotch features profiles of more than 200 whiskies, from popular blends to coveted single malts, with a special focus on bottles you’re likely to find with ease. You’ll also find recommendations for matching the right whisky to the right occasion, from great values for everyday imbibing, to worth-the-splurge options for marking life’s biggest moments. Whether you're a whisky newbie, a die-hard fan, or simply malt-curious, Scotch will be your go-to resource for demystifying the greatest of whiskies.
Winter Drinks: Over 75 recipes to warm the spirits including hot drinks, fortifying toddies, party cocktails and mocktails
This comforting collection of drinks will carry you through the cold days and darker nights of the winter.
There are Soothing recipes to curl up with in front of the fire such as a Cinnamon and Clementine Hot Chocolate and Chai Tea Latte. Restorative recipes include Spiced Winter Tea—especially reviving after a long winter’s walk. For a fortifying tipple try a Hot Buttered Rum or a punchy Penicillin which combines Scotch with lemon, honey, and ginger—the perfect winter warmer to soothe sore throats. There are a host of festive recipes including a Gingerbread Spiced Hot Chocolate, a classic Eggnog, and spiced Mulled Wine as well as cocktails such as Espresso Martinis and Festive Fizz sure to pep up any gathering.
CO Specs: Recipes & Histories of Classic Cocktails by Cas Oh
buy on: [Amazon]
Whether you're a professional bartender or a home enthusiast, CO Specs is your indispensable A to Z guide to all the essential classic cocktails. From the Aperol Spritz to the Negroni, Martini to Manhattan - learn the recipes and discover the histories and stories behind all of your favourite drinks.
With tens of thousands of cocktails in existence, how many of those could be considered classic, essential, or even tasty? — CO Specs distills down to the 200 true classics everyone should know.
For Bartenders, it’s a thorough field manual of all the classics you should know. A one stop shop. The book I wish I’d had (and spent far too long creating).
For the Home Enthusiast — whether you’re shaking up a few cocktails after a long day, or mixing something to impress your dinner guests, you’ll find all of your favourite cocktails (as well as many gems yet undiscovered) among the CO Specs. Be confident you’re making them correctly, and impress your friends with insightful trivia.
BUILT FOR HEAVY USE Published in a hardbound A5 size, it fits nicely in the hand and is easy to carry around. At over 3cm thick, it’s satisfyingly substantial.
HISTORY (for cheaters) There’s always debate and discussion about the “correct” way to make a classic drink. The aim of CO Specs is to illuminate the answer, and the reasoning behind it. CO Specs explores the history & fable underpinning each classic drink, revealing the original provenance of its appearances in print, as if torn straight from the pages of these (sometimes ancient) recipe books.
TESTED (TO DEATH) Each drink has been scrutinised, tested, then tested again to achieve the ‘goldilocks’ balance of ingredients. Informed by history, balanced for now.
Bar L.M. by Lindsay Matteson
[etsy]
Bar L.M. is a whimsical cocktail book featuring 30 of my original cocktail paintings and recipes. The idea for this book came to me in March of this year when I suddenly found myself unable to connect to the world as I usually do, via the bar. This book is my way to share a part of myself and hopefully create a little more joy during the tumultuous time.
The recipes themselves are all my original creations from the past 14 years of my career bartending around the country. Recipes come from my time at such bars as Amor y Amargo, Pouring Ribbons, and the Flatiron Lounge in NYC, as well as Barnacle and The Walrus and the Carpenter in Seattle, WA. I am a former painter, and the watercolors that accompany each recipe are all my original work that I created during the shutdown. (The book also features my original recipes for any house-made syrups needed for the recipes.)
The book is perfect bound on high quality gloss paper, features a matte cover, and is 5.5" w x 7.75" h in size. It was printed at a local Seattle print house.
If you are outside the U.S. and would like to purchase a copy, amazing! Please send me a message and I will get back to you with shipping rates.
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