The Bartender's Companion: The Original Guide to American Cocktails and Drinks (4th ed.)

Rating:
Summary: great drink recipes, interesting background info
Review: This is a great book for those getting started in mixing drinks, or for the more advanced. Procedures for making the drinks are nicely spelled out, as well as information on glassware and tools, etc. Alternate recipes are shown for several drinks, showing that there is not just ONE WAY to make certain drinks. This lack of arrogance shows through in a number of ways, including in the sidebars on the pages that highlight particular spirits. Lots of interesting background there. I especially enjoyed the features on the Dekuyper's cordials. They may offend the snobs, but they're fun! Another great feature is an index by ingredient. You get a new bottle of something and can look it up to see what new drinks you can make with what you have on hand. In general, this book is fun and informative and is a must-have for any drink mixer.