Gift Guide: Boozy Books to Cherish

You’ll need these cocktail and spirits-focused books for the library

Most bartenders have just as many (if not more) books on shelves in their house as they do bottles. Books are the friend of every bartender or cocktail aficionado in the world. Some books are used to understand the history and intricacies of spirits. Some books are used to better understand flavor combinations as unique ways to prepare cocktails. No matter why they are on the shelf, they all contribute something to the way a bartender prepares a cocktail.

With 2019 coming to an end, it is a great time to look back and pick out some of the best books to add to the shelf this year. Either the shelf of a bartender friend or your own shelf as a reward for completing the shopping. To help you sort through all the fantastic books that have arrived in the last few years, here’s a list that includes useful and fun cocktail recipes to innovative looks at playing with ingredients—there is a book on this list for every kind of enthusiast!

Basics for the Collection

Cocktails With a Twist by Kara Newman - $19.95 - One of the most innovative and fun books to come out in 2019. Kara Newman takes some staples of the cocktail world, like the Daiquiri and the Manhattan, and literally folds them into brand new cocktails with some simple adjustments. This is a book you must have in its physical form to appreciate the way new cocktails can be made from classics.

The Martini Cocktail by Robert Simonson - $18.99 - In Robert Simonson’s second book about an iconic cocktail and its variants (check out The Old Fashioned for his first one), Robert explores a fixture of the cocktail world: the Martini. From the original recipe to modern explorations—and arguments over exactly how much (or little) vermouth should be used, as well as what constitutes a proper Martini—it is a must for every lover of this simply sophisticated drink

The Joy of Mixology (Revised Edition) by Gary Regan - $30 - It is difficult to make a list of books that does not have this one on it. Even harder to put it on a list of gifts, because this is the first book most bartenders have on their shelves. However, they may have a rough-looking 2003 copy and could use the sleek, newly updated version of it. This book by Regan—who sadly passed on to that great tavern in the sky a few weeks ago—is the prototype that many cocktail books have since followed, but it will always have a flavor all its own. Cheers, Gaz. And thank you.

The Waldorf Astoria Cocktail book by Frank Caiafa - $25 - We’ve covered it before, but because of the breadth of recipes and historical research covered in this meticulous modern update of the original, it’s simply one of the most useful books to have in any collection and should be listed every year!

Global Flavor and Perspective

Sip: 100 Gin Cocktails With Just Three Ingredients by Sipsmith/Jared Brown - $21 - With all the changes in cocktails and cocktail history we have seen in the last two decades, gin is still a spirit that people approach with trepidation. Sipsmith is changing that perception cocktail by cocktail, showing the breadth of what you can do with a London dry gin all year long using only three ingredients, plus new historical revelations about some classic drinks.

Great Northern Cocktails by Shawn Soole - $45.95 hardcover, 25.95 paperback - When you have been as active in developing the Canadian cocktail scene as Shawn Soole has, you learn a few things. Beyond providing exceptional hospitality, Shawn lays out cocktail recipes, ingredients, and stories about some of the best bartenders north of the U.S. border.

Drink Like a Geek: Cocktails, Brews, and Spirits for the Nerd in All of Us by Jeff Cioletti - $19.95 – We all would love to try a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster. Or Romulan Ale. Maybe some Mudder’s Milk. Jeff Cioletti takes us on a tour of faraway worlds, old civilizations, and dens of villainy like… classic video game arcades! This is an excellent addition to any geek’s library.

Last Call by Brad Thomas Parsons: - $35 - The question everyone in the industry is asked when they travel is "Where do I go for a good drink?" Brad Thomas Parsons answers that question as he takes you on a tour of some of the best bars in the country. While traveling, he introduces you to that particular time when the bar is closing, and the bartender is thinking of a cocktail for the start of their night.

Everyone Loves Whiskey

Complete Whiskey Course by Robin Robinson - $27.95 - As much interest as bourbon receives, it is not the only whiskey around. Educator Robin Robinson provides ten classes for the whiskey, or whisky, enthusiast to learn all about this popular spirit. From Scotland to Japan, learn how the spirits are made, how to taste them, and how to appreciate the unique nuances in every glass.

American Whiskey by Richard Thomas - $35 - Richard Thomas, a Kentucky-raised traveler, has rickhouses full of knowledge about American whiskey. He shares his understanding of hundreds of whiskeys from dozens of distilleries from all over the United States. Exactly what you would expect from the owner of the web magazine "The Whiskey Reviewer."

A Tropical Vacation in a Glass

Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails by Shannon Mustipher - $29.95 - The culture that surrounds the Tiki cocktail is perpetually open for exploration. This unique offering by Brooklyn-based bartender Shannon Mustipher has wandered through this culture in her own way and has written a book to share the discoveries. In addition to the classics and some fresh, modern interpretations, she adds clear and easy to follow methods to make each cocktail.

Minimalist Tiki by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith - $35 - The title may sound contradictory, but this book is an important piece for the collection of any tiki enthusiast. Tiki, by its very nature, can quickly take over a bar space with special tools, glassware, syrups and juices, and of course, the rum. This tome cuts down on some of that sprawl, providing the essentials for a great tiki bar.

Wisdom Beyond the Bottles

Just the Tonic by Kim Walker and Mark Nesbitt - $25 - Tonic water, one of the iconic mixers in the cocktail world, has a fantastic history. Starting as a medicinal botanical and ending up as a staple in British drinking, cinchona tree bark has been all over the globe. Two experts at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, guide us through the journey of this sparkling, bitter drink.

Spirits Sugar Water Bitters by Derek Brown - $39.95 - From the time the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth because they were low on beer, America has been a place where a good drink is appreciated. Derek Brown explores the history of drinking from that original beer run to the modern era, complete with recipes representative of the times.

Cocktails for the Season

Let's Get Blitzen by Sother Teague - $13 - It is not hard to convince me to buy a book by Sother Teague. Make it a book of holiday cocktails, and it is doubly impressive. Sother uses his unique wit, ability to make a stellar cocktail, and colorful graphics to create a cocktail book ready for the holiday season. Whether it is a small gathering or a large group, you will find the right cocktail for the party.

Gather Around Cocktails by Aaron Goldfarb - $20 - The holidays are a time for entertaining. Aaron Goldfarb's book does just that, with a style that is as entertaining as it is informative. He provides excellent instructions on making cocktails for every holiday, from New Year's Eve to Hanukkah. A book to give as a gift or add to your shelf as you get ready for the holidays!

As you are searching the shelves for gift giving or reading material, consider our top-shelf book review from 2018 as well. This is a more extensive list of essentials for the home library, ranging from wisdom of the ages to modern classics. These two lists should give you a fantastic head start on adding to any bartender's library. Cheers!

Featured, LifestyleBrian PetroDecember 17, 2019drinkwire, bartendingComment