If you’re hunting for a specific drink by name or looking for drinks by base spirit, flip to the index in the back. If you’re wondering which bottles to buy at the store, we offer recommendations for each recipe along with flavor notes in our Booze Glossary (page 271).
Here are a few things that separate this book from the colossal list of great literature on the subject of mixed drinks:
Tasting Notes
Every drink in this book includes flavor descriptions—something we yearned for as we combed through recipes over the years, licking our lips but also scratching our heads as we tried to imagine how an unknown drink might taste. If you love citrusy cocktails or herbaceous drinks, you can easily find them by scanning the tasting notes for each recipe.
Pairing Ideas
We suggest food for each cocktail so that you have some idea which drinks pair well with, say, sushi, barbecue, pasta, spicy foods, or dessert. We also provide some general pairing guidelines in What to Eat with What You Shake (page 18).
Chronological and Occasional Organization
Part Two of this book is organized by era so you can experience the evolution of the American cocktail. Note that we’ve taken the liberty of placing some drinks in the time period in which they became widespread, not necessarily when they were created. Part Three is organized by seasons and special occasions, so you can quickly find a brunch drink or a dessert cocktail. This section also includes a chapter on tiki drinks, along with a final chapter on no-proof cocktails, for designated drivers and non-drinkers.
Curated Drink Lists
Flip through this book and you’ll find conveniently curated lists in each chapter to help you find the right drinks for exploring and entertaining.
Six Must-Try Forgotten Heritage Cocktails (page 53)
The Hemingway Bar (page 62)
Five Speakeasy Drinks to Make Before You Die (page 79)
Quintessential New Orleans Cocktails (page 106)
Literary Cocktails (page 114)
Movie Night Cocktails (page 125)
Farm-to-Glass Cocktails (page 136)
Cocktails for Oysters (page 154)
Cocktails for a Cheese Board (page 172)
Tiki Takeout (page 191)
Cocktailing for Couples: Six Romantic Drinks (page 208)
Holiday Cocktails (page 217)
Bitter Cocktails We’re Sweet On (page 228)
Low-Proof Cocktails (page 232)
In the back, you’ll find recipes for syrups, shrubs, and more (Part Four), along with techniques for making impeccable drinks and garnishes (Parts Five and Six), followed by a glossary of the booze we like to use (Part Seven).
We hope this book inspires you to fall in love with a signature drink, explore recipes from different eras, and host your first, second, or hundredth cocktail party—complete with fresh juices, quality spirits, and stunning garnishes.