Nearly two dozen new books are coming out this autumn. Everything from making your own booze, to the history of bourbon, to zero waste cocktails to an encyclopedia of spirits. Enjoy!
Craft Gin Making by Rachel Hicks and Andrew Parsons The Crowood Press (September 1, 2021) Craft Gin Making is a detailed guide to entering the world of gin production. For beginners and experienced producers alike, it offers key insights and practical advice on what you need to get started and how to progress in this fascinating and growing craft. It covers both distilling and cold compounding, providing advice on equipment and detailing step-by-step processes, whilst discussing a wide variety of gin production issues. Topics covered include a brief history of gin and gin making; the tools, equipment and ingredients needed for the different methods of producing gin; the most common methods and how to achieve success in them; the practicalities of filtration, bottling, sealing and labelling; making flavored gins; why things might go wrong and how to correct them and, finally, the legal aspects of gin production.
Buffalo, Barrels, & Bourbon: The Story of How Buffalo Trace Distillery Became The World’s Most Awarded Distillery by F. Paul Pacult Wiley; 1st edition (September 8, 2021) Buffalo, Barrels, & Bourbon tells the fascinating tale of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, from the time of the earliest explorations of Kentucky to the present day. Author and award-winning spirits expert F. Paul Pacult takes readers on a journey through history that covers the American Revolutionary War, U.S Civil War, two World Wars, Prohibition, and the Great Depression. Buffalo, Barrels, & Bourbon covers the pedigree and provenance of the Buffalo Trace Distillery: The larger-than-life personalities that over a century and a half made Buffalo Trace Distillery what it is today; Detailed accounts on how many of the distillery’s award-winning and world-famous brands were created; The impact of world events, including multiple depressions, weather-related events, and major conflicts, on the distillery. Belonging on the shelf of anyone with an interest in American spirits and history, Buffalo, Barrels, & Bourbon is a compelling must-read.
The Café Brûlot by Sue Strachan LSU Press (September 15, 2021) The Café Brûlot examines the cocktail that was born of a legend and has endured through the centuries, showcasing New Orleans’s love of flavored drama. A combination of coffee, liquor, and fire, Café Brûlot also goes by the name Café Brûlot Diabolique, “devilishly incendiary coffee.” Varying somewhat depending on what restaurant makes it, the base ingredients of this unusual after-dinner drink are coffee, brandy, sugar, cinnamon, lemon, oranges, cloves, and sometimes an orange liqueur. Although the drink may have originated in France, Café Brûlot is primarily mixed in New Orleans, making it a unique Crescent City tradition. In this entertaining little book, Sue Strachan delves into the history of the cocktail, the story of its various ingredients, and the customary implements used to serve it.
A Good Drink: In Pursuit of Sustainable Spirits by Shanna Farrell Island Press (September 16, 2021) In A Good Drink, Farrell goes in search of the bars, distillers, and farmers who are driving a transformation to sustainable spirits. She meets mezcaleros in Guadalajara who are working to preserve traditional ways of producing mezcal, for the health of the local land, the wallets of the local farmers, and the culture of the community. She visits distillers in South Carolina who are bringing a rare variety of corn back from near extinction to make one of the most sought-after bourbons in the world. She meets a London bar owner who has eliminated individual bottles and ice, acculturating drinkers to a new definition of luxury. These individuals are part of a growing trend to recognize spirits for what they are—part of our food system. For readers who have ever wondered who grew the pears that went into their brandy or why their cocktail is an unnatural shade of red, A Good Drink will be an eye-opening tour of the spirits industry. For anyone who cares about the future of the planet, it offers a hopeful vision of change, one pour at a time.
Virginia Distilled: Four Centuries of Drinking in the Old Dominion by Patrick Evans-Hylton The History Press (October 4, 2021) Colonist George Thorpe first crafted “corn beere,” an ancestor to bourbon, in 1620 at Berkeley Plantation, and George Washington once operated one of the nation’s largest distilleries. Icy mint juleps were first served in Virginia until the state was one of the first to enact Prohibition. That dark period gave rise to bootlegging, moonshining and even NASCAR. Through well-documented research, interviews with key stakeholders and plenty of cocktail recipes for the reader to shake and stir at home, author Patrick Evans-Hylton showcases the rich history of four hundred years of drinking in the Commonwealth. Raise a glass to Virginia, birthplace of American spirits, and its long history of distilling and imbibing.
Rare Whisky: Explore the World’s Most Exquisite Spirits by Patrick Mahé Conran (October 5, 2021) Rare Whisky is a stylish exploration of the world’s finest and rarest whiskies, exquisitely packaged in a hardback book with slipcase. This book looks at the most exceptional whiskies across the world, focusing on key producers such as Scotland, Ireland, the USA and Japan, as well as interesting rarities from the likes of India and Taiwan. With beautiful photography of extremely rare bottles, from a breathtaking 1920s vintage sold at auction to the best offerings from recent years, Rare Whisky is essential reading for all whisky lovers.
The Cocktail Workshop: An Essential Guide to Classic Drinks and How to Make Them Your Own by Steven Grasse & Adam Erace Running Press Adult (October 5, 2021) From the wildly creative team behind Philadelphia’s Art in the Age comes The Cocktail Workshop, a deep-dive into 20 classic drinks that make up the foundation of cocktail creation, and the delicious variations that will make them all your own. Learn to craft a perfect, classic drink, or workshop that creation into a unique, flavor-forward spin with The Cocktail Workshop, an indispensable guide to foundational cocktails and the tools to elevate them into master-level creations. In this richly illustrated book, the team behind Philadelphia’s beloved Art in the Age guides aspiring mixologists through the fundamentals of 20 essential cocktails. Then, each foundational drink is spun off into creative and customizable riffs on flavors, techniques, and ingredients, called Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master versions. Each classic drink is concluded by a Workshop: how to take your at-home bar efforts to the next level with aging, infusing, garnishing, and more.
The Atlas of Bourbon and American Whiskey: A Journey Through the Spirit of America by Eric Zandona Mitchell Beazley (October 5, 2021) A stylish region-by-region guide to American whiskey, by the author of The Bourbon Bible. Eric Zandona – spirits expert at the American Distilling Institute – leads a region-by-region tour of the unique flavors and stories of American whiskey, from Kentucky’s bourbon heartland to New York’s Empire Rye revolution. With chapters telling the story of each key whiskey-producing region, plus profiles of notable distilleries and a flavor guide for their most interesting whiskeys, you’ll learn all there is to know about the only true American spirit.
The Big Book of Bourbon Cocktails: 100 Timeless, Creative & Tempting Recipes by Amy Zavatto Rockridge Press (October 5, 2021) If you’re a bourbon aficionado―or an aspiring one―you hold in your hands the essential guide to plenty of inventive and exciting ways to savor an American classic. From a traditional Old Fashioned to a Churchill Downs Crusta, explore 100 cocktails that incorporate flavors from a variety of bourbons, regions, and time periods. From a solo nightcap, to pre-dinner drinks for two and cocktails for a crowd, you’ll learn to whip up the perfect bourbon drink for every occasion. Taste trendy new flavors created exclusively for this book, and long-forgotten recipes from the Prohibition era.
The New Craft Beer World: Celebrating over 400 delicious beers by Mark Dredge Dog n Bone; Second edition (October 12, 2021) With more amazing beers available than ever before, it’s hard to know which ones to choose. That’s where The New Craft Beer World comes in. Gathering together over 400 of the most innovative and tastiest beers you need to try, and divided into 50 different categories, you will find the best of the best each style has to offer. Every category comes with an explanation of the key characteristics of the style—whether it’s an American IPA bursting with citrusy C-hops or an Imperial Stout full of dark roasted malts—along with an example of a classic brew and a selection of cutting edge versions that are certain to become instant favorites. So whether you’re looking for bitter beers or balanced flavors, a hit of hops or a hint of coffee, the reviews will point you in the right direction to find the perfect beer to suit your tastebuds. Also included are interesting nuggets of beer information, covering everything from the catalyst that has caused the astonishing growth in craft beer through to matching beer with food and how to serve your drinks.
From Garden to Glass: 80 Botanical Beverages Made from the Finest Fruits, Cordials, and Infusions by David Hurst Rizzoli Universe Promotional Books (October 12, 2021) For the legions of readers who enjoyed The Drunken Botanist: The Plants that Create the World’s Best Drinks, here is a new health and nutrition conscious take on making infusions, cordials, and cocktails mixers with garden fresh herbs, fruits, and spices. From Garden to Glass is a unique collection of over 70 delicious botanically inspired recipes based on what is available fresh from the garden or farm stand. These “garden to glass” recipes are for non-alcoholic infusions and cordials based on fresh fruits, garden herbs, and spices which can be consumed as restorative tonics in their own right or can be used as the basis for mouthwatering cocktails – cocktails filled with garden fresh nutrients and antioxidants, making them far healthier than ordinary bar drinks. Organized according to main ingredient, the recipes are created with an eye toward both health and taste. All recipes include fresh from the garden botanicals such as elderberries, strawberries, tomato, mints, and other herbs. Thus, an ordinary Bloody Mary is transformed into a healthy power drink by using freshly crushed garden tomatoes, chilies, and other spices. Many recipes also use “superfood” ingredients, from açai berry and avocado to papaya and pomegranate. Each creation is expertly crafted and inspired by some of the most exciting trends in bartending and mixology. The book also explains how to make professional-quality mixed drinks in your home, listing essential bar kit, fancy glassware, party planning, and finishing touches that can transform an ordinary drink into an exceptional cocktail.
Fever-Tree Easy Mixing: More than 150 quick and delicious mixed drinks and cocktails by Fever-Tree Limited Mitchell Beazley (October 12, 2021) 150 cocktails and mixed drinks that you can make at home in no more than 3 minutes. This means simple ingredients, not too many of them, and things you will have in your cupboard and fridge without having to trawl the internet or specialty drinks aisles. In a further twist, many recipes offer three variations – simple, sassy and sophisticated -so you can choose whether to go for the speediest when you are short of time, or the souped-up version when you are in the mood to experiment. Chapters such as Mojitos and Mules offer brilliant spins on familiar classics, No-Low has lots of ideas for alcohol-free drinks and Pitcher Perfect is packed with easy recipes that you can batch and make in quantity to serve to a crowd. All the simple, speedy and delicious ideas you would expect from the world’s leading premium mixer brand.
The Way of the Cocktail: Japanese Traditions, Techniques, and Recipes by Julia Momosé & Emma Janzen Clarkson Potter; Illustrated edition (October 12, 2021) With its studious devotion to tradition, craftsmanship, and hospitality, Japanese cocktail culture is an art form treated with reverence. In this essential guide, Japanese American bartender Julia Momosé of Kumiko and Kikkō in Chicago takes us on a journey into this realm. She educates and inspires while breaking down master techniques and delving into the soul of the culture: the traditions and philosophy, the tools and the spirits—and the complex layering of these elements that makes this approach so significant. The recipes are inspired by the twenty-four micro-seasons that define the flow of life in Japan. Enter a world where the spiced woodsy cocktail called Autumn’s Jacket evokes the smoldering burn of smoking rice fields in fall, and where the Delicate Refusal tells the tale of spring’s tragic beauty, with tequila blanco and a flutter of sakura petals. Perfected classics like the Manhattan and Negroni, riffs on some of Japan’s most beloved cocktails like the Whisky Highball, and even alcohol-free drinks influenced by ingredients such as yuzu, matcha, and umé round out the collection.
Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol by Mallory O’Meara Hanover Square Press; Original edition (October 19, 2021) Strawberry daiquiris. Skinny martinis. Vodka sodas with lime. These are the cocktails that come in sleek-stemmed glasses, bright colors and fruity flavors—these are the Girly Drinks. From the earliest days of civilization, alcohol has been at the center of social rituals and cultures worldwide. But when exactly did drinking become a gendered act? And why have bars long been considered “places for men” when, without women, they might not even exist? With whip-smart insight and boundless curiosity, Girly Drinks unveils an entire untold history of the female distillers, drinkers and brewers who have played a vital role in the creation and consumption of alcohol, from ancient Sumerian beer goddess Ninkasi to iconic 1920s bartender Ada Coleman. Filling a crucial gap in culinary history, O’Meara dismantles the long-standing patriarchal traditions at the heart of these very drinking cultures, in the hope that readers everywhere can look to each celebrated woman in this book—and proudly have what she’s having.
Anthologin by Samuele Ambrosi & Maurizio Maestrelli Guido Tommasi Editore (October 27, 2021) Anthologin is the product of a fortuitous encounter that brought together Samuele Ambrosi, an internationally renowned, multi-award-winning barman with a stellar résumé, Maurizio Maestrelli, esteemed journalist and author of several books on beer and spirits, and Serena Conti, fine illustrator and designer whose collaborations have extended far beyond Italy’s borders. It tells the fascinating story of gin, that most popular of spirits whose long, seductive history transcends aromas and flavor, technical traits and production systems. It’s a story brimming with fascinating anecdotes on gin’s origins and evolution, political and economic influences, and episodes involving famous figures. And it is this “behind the scenes” knowledge that renders every sip of gin so special, realizations that help us better appreciate the rebirth of mixology and the revived interest in gin. Today you hold the definitive gin guide in your hands.
The Spirit of Rye: Over 300 Expressions to Celebrate the Rye Revival by Carlo DeVito Cider Mill Press (November 2, 2021) Celebrate the many flavor profiles of rye whiskey, its distinguished history, and its contemporary revival with The Spirit of Rye. The resurgence in rye whiskey is unmistakable, as is evidenced in the number of distillers producing remarkably varied expressions, from the Whiskey Trail to Pennsylvania, Texas, and California. With tasting notes for over 300 expressions and interviews with master distillers, readers both familiar and new to the rich world of rye will find The Spirit of Rye to be a revelation.
Can I Mix You a Drink? by T-PAIN & Maxwell Britten Kingston Imperial (November 2, 2021) In 2007, “rappa ternt sanga” T-Pain released his hit single “Can I Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin’),” propelling the artist to mainstream royalty. Since then, the Tallahassee, Florida native has secured his position as one of the most successful and diverse hip-hop artists in the world. It all started, really, with a song about liquor. T-Pain’s extensive career has been punctuated by libations. It’s been a part of his music, his business acumen (having secured a number of ambassador deals with liquor brands like Jose Cuervo), and his overall persona. Now, T-Pain brings his love of mixology and music in book form, titled Can I Mix You A Drink? Working with Mixologist Maxwell Britten, former Bar Director to Brooklyn’s James Beard Award Winning Maison Premiere, T-Pain sets cocktails to music. Each drink has been carefully curated to reflect a sentiment from one of his hit songs. Drink by drink, T-Pain explores levels of new flavors (and potencies) to create a work that can be used for parties, local bars, pre-gaming before the club, or even just a quiet night at home. It’s nearly impossible not to hear T-Pain’s music as you read through the drinks and their unique combinations and names. Considering T-Pain is known for unorthodox mixes in his music, expect the same from his drinks, along with some classic cocktails modified by T-Pain himself. Whether you’re a fan of T-Pain or a fan of drink-making, Can I Mix You A Drink? is the cocktail book for you.
Death & Co Welcome Home: A Cocktail Recipe Book by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald & David Kaplan Ten Speed Press (November 2, 2021) In this stunning new offering from the authors of the bestselling Death & Co and James Beard Book of the Year Cocktail Codex, you’ll find everything you need to make and serve impressive drinks at home. It begins with a boot camp of sorts, where you follow the same steps a new Death & Co bartender would, learning how to select ingredients, develop your palate, understand what makes a great cocktail work, mix drinks accurately, create a cocktail menu, and much more. More than 400 recipes anchor the book, including classics, low-ABV drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails, and hundreds of the signature creations the Death & Co teams in New York, Denver, and Los Angeles have developed over the past seven years, including the Telegraph and Buko Gimlet. The Cocktails at Home section teaches you how to scale up recipes for larger gatherings, fill your freezer with ready-to-pour mixtures, and throw a party where you can actually spend more time with your guests than prepping drinks.And when you’re ready to create your own recipes, the Death & Co crew pulls back the curtain on their cocktail development program, with plenty of strategies and the opportunity to mix and taste along with the staff. Featuring hundreds of photographs and illustrations, this comprehensive, visually arresting manual is destined to break new ground in home bars across the world.
The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails by David Wondrich & Noah Rothbaum Oxford University Press (November 4, 2021) Anthropologists and historians have confirmed the central role alcohol has played in nearly every society since the dawn of human civilization, but it is only recently that it has been the subject of serious scholarly inquiry. The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails is the first major reference work to cover the subject from a global perspective, and provides an authoritative, enlightening, and entertaining overview of this third branch of the alcohol family. It will stand alongside the bestselling Companions to Wine and Beer, presenting an in-depth exploration of the world of spirits and cocktails in a groundbreaking synthesis. The Companion covers drinks, processes, and techniques from around the world as well as those in the US and Europe. It provides clear explanations of the different ways that spirits are produced, including fermentation, distillation, and ageing, alongside a wealth of new detail on the emergence of
cocktails and cocktail bars, including entries on key cocktails and influential mixologists and cocktail bars. With entries ranging from Manhattan and mixology to sloe gin and stills, the Companion combines coverage of the range of spirit-based drinks around the world with clear explanations of
production processes, and the history and culture of their consumption. It is the ultimate guide to understanding what is in your glass.
San Francisco Cocktails: An Elegant Collection of Over 100 Recipes Inspired by the City by the Bay by Trevor Felch Cider Mill Press (November 16, 2021) Mix up a taste of the City by the Bay with San Francisco Cocktails. Featuring recipes from and profiles on some of the most recognizable bars in San Francisco, this is the definitive guide to drinking in San Fran. With easy-to-follow recipes sure to be a crowd pleaser and inspiring interviews with local bartenders, this is the perfect gift for cocktail lovers everywhere. Gorgeous, full-color photography gives you a taste of each cocktail long before you mix them up yourself. No matter where you find yourself, San Francisco Cocktails will transport you to the heart of the city in seconds flat.
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