Every passion needs the right book to fuel the fire methodically and it’s true for bartending too. If you fancy all things alcohol and enjoy wooing house guests with your mixing skills, cocktail books are there to amp up your barkeeping game! This treasure trove of knowledge and mind-blowing cocktail recipes is a must-have for every budding bartender. Here are the cocktail books you should add to your shelf so you know all about the art of cocktail making.
6 Cocktail Books That Every Budding Bartender Must Buy
- Cocktail Codex by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, and David Kaplan
- Liquid Intelligence by Dave Arnold
- Meehan’s Bartender Manual by Jim Meehan
- The Bar Book by Jeffrey Morgenthaler and Martha Holmberg
- The Joy Of Mixology by Gary Regan
- The Craft Of Cocktails by Dale DeGroff
Cocktail Codex by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, and David Kaplan
If you’re someone who wants to learn about drinks and cocktails from scratch, then Cocktail Codex is a must-have in your library. The award-winning book is sort of a textbook guide to creating unique cocktails. The drinks are based on six well-known cocktails: the Old-Fashioned, Sidecar, Martini, Daiquiri, Whiskey Highball, and the Flip. Read the Codex and flaunt your knowledge about the components of different drinks like a pro mixologist.
The book offers templates to create a variety of cocktails and mixing techniques. You will also find classic and unconventional flavor pairings and fun facts about spirits. Truly, for both a novice and a skilled mixologist, this book has tons of information. The authors have sprinkled anecdotes of their bartending experiences, which is simply like a garnish on your booze!
Also Read: How To Strain A Cocktail
Liquid Intelligence by Dave Arnold
If you ever feel like a mad scientist mixing drinks, then Liquid Intelligence is your kind of read. This boozy version of a science kit offers an extensive approach to making better-looking and tasting cocktails. Everything from the temperature to the shape of the ice cubes is explored in this book. Trust us, this book will certainly make you rethink the way you see and make your favorite cocktails.
Arnold takes you on a scientific journey into the cocktail world and you will be left feeling like a kid watching a magic show. As the author breaks down various cocktails through experiments and science, you’re bound to feel trippy with information. The book also explores various cocktail tools and ingredients. Basically, it covers almost everything from traditional methods to contemporary cocktail mixing techniques. This nest egg of knowledge will certainly elevate your mixing skills.
Also Read: 6 Rum Cocktail Recipes To Keep You Warm This Winter
Meehan’s Bartender Manual by Jim Meehan
An all-time favorite of both cocktail enthusiasts and masters, Meehan’s Manual is like a bible for the bartending community. The book splendidly explains the origin of various drinks, the logic behind them, and provides cocktail mixing hacks to nail the drink! The mixology veteran offers his perspective on the art of cocktail making and even on the bar business. He covers topics like bar design, space planning, functionality, and more like no other.
The Bartender Manual is a one-stop guide for just about anything from the well-known classics to modern cocktails. The book’s spirit section has all kinds and styles of liqueurs and liquors. The cocktail section also offers 100 standard recipes, including some of Meehan’s favorite riffs. This is a must-have for aspiring bartenders as it offers some really amazing insights into bartending and its technicalities.
Also Read: 5 Must-Have Liqueurs At A Home Bar
The Bar Book by Jeffrey Morgenthaler and Martha Holmberg
If you’re looking for an easy-to-understand bartending book, then The Bar Book is the perfect starting point. The book is similar to an unofficial bartending manual with all the basic 101’s of bartending. What’s the best part? The author makes use of simple but effective language. Various mixing techniques are broken down for a first-time bartender to really grasp the method effectively.
Some of these techniques also include the basics like shaking, stirring, and garnishing. Another highlight is that the book makes use of pictorial illustrations to explain various bartending tools. The simple and funny way in which the basics are elaborated is sure to keep the bar enthusiast in you, glued to this book.
Also Read: 6 French 75 Cocktail Variation Recipes For A Pool Party
The Joy Of Mixology by Gary Regan
Let us introduce you to The Joy Of Mixology, aka the godfather of bartending. This is a timeless book in cocktail literature. The book offers fascinating snippets about cocktails and the cocktail revolution. If the history of alcohol is something that intrigues you, then you will definitely enjoy this read.
It kicks off with the colorful history of cocktails and mixed drinks. The bartending classic soon takes a turn to explore more than 350 cocktail recipes. These recipes are grouped into ‘families’ basis their ingredients. This sort of categorization makes it easier for you to club similar cocktails together. Regan also adds his personal experiences and anecdotes from bartending training camps and his career. Whether you’re an alcohol enthusiast or a pro-level bartender, this book deserves a place on your bookshelf!
Also Read: 7 Best Classic Cocktails
The Craft Of Cocktails by Dale DeGroff
Written by the “King of Cocktails”, Dale DeGroff, this book is another one of the holy texts of bartending. This is the book that has taught and brought up a whole generation of cocktail maestros. The Craft of Cocktails explains everything you need to know from cocktail ingredients to cocktail culture. That’s not all, it also has tips and tricks for working the bar. It is the perfect tool to learn bartending from scratch.
With over 500 cocktail recipes, the book covers historic and contemporary drinks. If you thought this was impressive, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The book covers some of DeGroff’s own creations, which are modern classics in the world of drinks. The content is tastefully sprinkled with numerous anecdotes and fun facts about booze. It also highlights the author’s experience in the world of cocktails. The Craft Of Cocktails is an absolute must-have for someone, who is an alcohol connoisseur and an aspiring bartender.
Also Read: 8 Cocktail Hacks That You Should Know
Summing Up
Cocktail books certainly have a place in your bartending journey, whether you’re a budding bartender or a soiree enthusiast. These amazing books will paint the world of cocktails in colors you’d never imagined, and will open you to a whole new skill set and level of cocktail mastery!
FAQs
What Are Six Basic Cocktails?
The Old Fashioned, Martini, Daiquiri, Whiskey Highball, Sidecar, and Flip are six of the basic cocktails.
What Are The Six Basic Methods Of Bartending?
The six basic bartending methods include stirring, shaking, muddling, blending, layering, and building cocktails.
What Are The 5 P’s Of A Professional Bartender?
Passion, pride, preparation, professionalism, and presentation are the 5 P’s of a professional bartender.
What Are Some Important Attributes Of A Bartender?
A bartender should have knowledge of drinks and spirits. They must maintain cleanliness and have good customer skills. Other than that, they should be great at time management, have a good memory, and must be well aware of their surroundings.
What Are Some Cocktail Garnishes That Every Bar Must Have?
Olives, cherries, limes and lemons, rosemary, salt, and mint leaves are some of the basic cocktail garnishes that every bar must have.
How Many Drinks Should A Bartender Make In A Minute?
With enough training, a bartender is expected to make and serve about 4 to 6 drinks per minute. But it is important to ensure that the drinks are well made and served appropriately to the customers.
What Are Some Essential Spirits For Every Cocktail Bar?
Spirits like gin, rum, tequila, vodka, whiskey, and liqueurs are some of the essential spirits that every cocktail bar should have.
What Are The Four Components That Balance All Cocktails?
Spirits, sugar, water, and bitters are the key four components that balance all cocktails. Classic cocktails are structured on the balance of these four components.
