Drinks and history all in one!

I have always had a bit of a fascination with the jewel-colored concoctions I've seen in the little pamphlets on my table at restaurants.  They always seemed mysterious and seductive, but out of my ken.  Then I received a copy of The Essential Bar Book by Jennifer Fiedler from Blogging For Books, and have been transformed into a fan of mixology.

This book is arranged alphabetically, which makes everything easy to find.  Drink recipes are on black pages mixed in with the definitions of equipment, alcohols, and other bar terminology.  Each drink recipe has it's history and print origins, along with variations and appropriate glassware.  The definitions are fabulous.  The explain each item and its history, including any popular origin stories for equipment (such as beer steins, jiggers, and julep strainers).

I started by reading alphabetically, but then had the most fun by randomly opening to different pages.  The history of the cocktail, its ceremony and origins, is fascinating.  This book lets you explore every aspect, and revel in each discovery.  This will be staying with my slowly grown kitch bar equipment, and will dictate my next several alcohol purchases.  I'm thinking a Negroni Sbagliato will be in my immediate future.  Cheers all!


I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.