by Sean Brison |
Last Updated: June 11, 2022 Looking for a cocktail recipe book to fit nicely with your home bar but have no idea where to start? This curated list of the best cocktail books should fix that. Whether it’s a pre-Prohibition Old Fashioned, a Daiquiri, or a modern twist on a classic Sidecar, keep reading to increase your liquid intelligence and never run out of boozy beverage ideas again.
1. The Joy of Mixology
The Joy of Mixology is a contemporary cocktail book favorite. Its author, Gary Regan (1951-2019), was a colossal figure in the industry with several books already under his belt (before writing this one), including The Bartender’s Bible, The Book of Bourbon, New Classic Cocktails, and The Martini Companion. In The Joy of Mixology (published 2003 with a 2019 update), Gary raises the bar with his thoughtful approach and intuitive process by categorizing drinks into stylistic families, the mechanics of building a cocktail, and the amazing history behind each one. This book catalyzed the craft cocktail revival and influential to a more modern era of bartenders and mixologists, including co-author of the Cocktail Codex, Alex Day.
2. The New Craft of the Cocktail
The Craft of the Cocktail first published in 2002 by Dale DeGroff, is one of the most influential cocktail books of all time. Dale has a saying, “We go to bartenders, not bars.” He ran the bar at the influential Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center and was a seminal figure in the craft cocktail revival. This “New” Craft of the Cocktail revision comes with all of its original swagger but now includes DeGroff’s spirit recommendations for each cocktail; it matters which kind of bourbon or gin you pour.
3. Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails
Master mixologist David Kaplan and Nick Fauchald penned this ultimate guide to the contemporary craft cocktail movement. Death & Co is one of the most influential New York bars in the world. This book will interest any curious, thoughtful mixologist as its contents hold a breadth of knowledge and practical advice. The recipes are fantastic, paired with detailed instructions, and guides for liquor types along with specific brands to use with different-styled cocktails.
4. Cocktail Codex
Whether you’re a noob or a seasoned vet, this book has something to offer bartenders of all levels. Alex Day, David Kaplan, and Nick Fauchald created this masterpiece. The book provides a formula template for six classes of cocktails and a “six-class” proven framework which explains how to think about building them. The authors also explore new techniques to hit the landscape over the years including clarifying, centrifuging, and smoking (with equally stunning photos to match).
5.Meehan’s Bartender Manual
Author Jim Meehan has some serious accolades under his belt: Winner of the James Beard Award, Winner of the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for Best New Cocktail or Bartending book, author of the PDT Cocktail Book, and this 488-page tome, Meehan’s Bartender Manual. Sneak a peek inside the creative process of one of the industry’s acclaimed mixologists. Meehan discusses bar design, the art of hospitality, technique, and spirit production. The book also includes a substantial list of cocktail recipes accompanied by commentary on why he makes them the way he does.
6. The Aviary Cocktail Book
This book took over three years to make, includes over 440 pages of techniques and recipes, and weighs eight pounds! Nick Kokonas, Allen & Sarah Hemberger, Micah Melton, and Grant Achatz’s team prepared this magnum opus with a culinary approach to cocktails that extends beyond simple classics like the Manhattan or whiskey highball. It’s the ultimate gifting book with magnificent illustrations to boot.
7. Imbibe!
David Wondrich’s book about classic American cocktails in 384 pages is the definitive mixologist’s guide. It also pays tribute to the father of the American bar, Jerry Thomas. You’ll gain access to over 100 recipes for punches, fizzes, toddies, sours, slings, cocktails, and more. Its first publication in 2007 won a James Beard Award. This updated version includes the American drink’s original origins, detailed insights into 19th-century spirits, and “unknown” influential cocktails never-before-released.
8. The Savoy Cocktail Book
Harry Craddock was a legendary barman of the 1920s and ‘30s who worked at the American Bar in London. Mr. Craddock invented a number of timeless classics including the Corpse Reviver #2, all of which he included in the 1930 publication of the Savoy Cocktail Book. The book’s measurements may require a bit of research on behalf of the reader unless you know how much “one pony of gin” equals. Referred to as the “classic cocktail bible belonging in every mixologist’s library.
9. The Drunken Botanist
Amy Stewart answers the lifelong question faced by every human being on the planet, “Can I make booze out of that?” If you want to inject some life into your everyday horticultural agenda, you might want to add this book to your library. From rum to sake to tequila to scotch to bourbon and beyond, Amy Stewart explores plants, uncover the herbs, fungi, trees, flowers, and fruits that make our cocktails great. Get ready to understand your spirits on a molecular level.
10. Liquid Intelligence
Dave Arnold and his team from New York city’s Booker & Dax, take you into the fold of their thorough experimentations. If you’re curious how to make crystal clear ice cubes in your own freezer; clarify cloudy lime juice with enzymes; nitro-muddling fresh basil to prevent browning, or infusing vodka with coffee; you’ve come to the right place. It’s the cutting-edge scientific approach to crafting cocktails, preparing homemade sodas, building a specialized bar in your home, and more. Seize over 120 recipes and advanced techniques that will transform your cocktail game while turning tipplers' heads.
11. The Bar Book: Elements of Cocktail Technique
Jeffrey Morgenthaler penned this technique-driven cocktail book which reveals best practices, mixology techniques, and how to apply them when building your drinks. More than 60 cocktail recipes occupy these pages, along with methods to approach stirring and shaking, juicing, carbonating, garnishing, and more. You’ll get the explanation as well as the how and the why of all things bartending. This includes the techniques, tools, and best brands to use behind your home bar too.
12. Speakeasy: Classic Cocktails Reimagined
Master mixologists Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric riff on over 80 variations of the classics, emphasizing quality ingredients including fruits, herbs, homemade syrups, and infusions while maintaining mindfulness of the seasons. Every recipe contains a chart at the bottom explaining the flavor profiles to prevent you from wasting time on drinks you find uninteresting. Besides the amazing drinks found within its pages, it also waxes on the history of cocktail making.
13. Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails
Cocktail lovers looking for modern takes on exotic, rum-centric drinks will find what they need with Brooklyn-based rum expert, Shannon Mustipher. If you’re in the mood for some Caribbean rum sipping sensorial experience, this book reimagines what classic tiki could and should be. Shannon also focuses on fresh juices, high-quality rums, infused and fat-washed spirits, liqueurs, and homemade syrups. Acquaint yourself with easy-to-follow recipes and memorable presentations. You’ll also get a breakdown of Caribbean rums’ tasting notes and flavor profiles.
14. Jerry Thomas Bartender’s Guide (aka The Bon Vivant’s Companion)
Jerry Thomas is the father of the American cocktail and writer of the FIRST cocktail book published in 1862. It was originally titled “How to Mix Drinks.” That printing now sells for over $2,000. You’ll find well-known cocktail recipes within its pages along with esoteric, lesser-known selections like the Blue Blazer. The book will teach you both how to mix drinks and how to prepare the accompanying syrups and mixers from scratch.
15. The One-Bottle Cocktail
Author Maggie Hoffman tells you how much you can do with a single bottle of booze and fresh ingredients. The book is categorized by spirit; gin, vodka, rum, brandy, whiskey, and agave spirits. You’ll learn how particular types of herbs and fruits pair and how to craft well-balanced cocktails with not so unusual ingredients that perhaps you had never thought of. For example, gin, figs, thyme, and grapefruit soda for a delightfully uncommon concoction in The Night of the Hunter.
The Last Word
Could you figure all of these things out for yourself? Of course, you could; but why? Pulling knowledge from books about cocktail creation, bar tools, and recipes is something every mixologist does – both beginners and veterans.
These are some of the best cocktail books you can use right now. Need a vessel for mixing? Read this.