GSN Alert: Cocktail & Spirits Book Preview – Winter 2021-22

Pouring with Heart: The Essential Magic behind the Bartenders We Love by Cedd Moses & Erik Cardona, Dale Degroff (Foreword) Lioncrest Publishing (November 11, 2021) Everyone thought Cedd Moses had lost his mind when he used his life savings to open ten bars in struggling Downtown Los Angeles. Not only would those venues help lift the communities around them—they’d go on to set a new standard for bars in LA, setting the stage for one of greatest bar success stories in American history. Moses attributes this remarkable success to one thing. Pouring with Heart. In this love letter to the bar world, Moses shares the secrets of what it truly means to be of service, pulling back the curtain on the magic a guest feels when in the presence of a bartender they love. Pouring with Heart demolishes the myth of bartending as a dead-end gig by using data and decades of experience to break down what it takes to cement a legendary career behind the bar.

The Inquisitive Bartender by Andrew Macharia Authorhouse Uk (December 12, 2021) Inspired by a seventeenth-century proverb-one man’s misfortune is another man’s fortune-The Inquisitive Bartender presents your ultimate guide on the bartending landscape from fifth century through the present day. Author Andrew Macharia relies on his encounters with the beverages of numerous cultures and his knowledge of the art of mixology to share the rich history of pioneer mixologists in the Americas and beyond. He introduces key figures, dates, periods, and events over the centuries that have influenced others and shaped the bartending scene, including the Renaissance, the industrial revolution in Britain, the American revolution, and prohibition. This versatile narrative cuts across the bartending demographic and is ideal for bartenders at all levels-old school, current, and aspiring. It will transform you into a storyteller as you sling or imbibe your favourite cocktails. This bartender’s guide explores the history of bartending and alcohol throughout the centuries, providing both background and recipes for any bartender to use.

That’s the Spirit: The spirit lover’s guide to all things gin by Clare Voitin Heathcote Holdings Pty Ltd (December 13, 2021) Unmistakably, gin is in. With global growth close to hitting double digits annually, interest in this spirit is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. Almost 30% of Australians are spirit drinkers, and with new and exciting craft gin brands popping up weekly, this comes as no surprise. But there’s more to the world’s fastest growing spirit than meets the eye. Not to be mistaken for just another on-trend ‘booze-in-a-bottle’, every gin has its unique point of difference. Whether it’s the botanicals included, style of gin produced or the distilling method used, every gin has a DNA and personality of its own. No longer considered the ‘mother’s ruin’, there’s a perfect gin for everyone. The fun is in embarking on your gin adventure and discovering your favourites. This book teaches you everything you need to know for your own gin journey – beginning with gin’s crazy, unexpected origins and travelling through the history of time to the here and now. Covering gin styles, botanicals commonly (and not so commonly) used and the finer details on how to drink your gin, this book very simply shares it all. If you’re not already on the ‘gin bandwagon’, there’s never been a better time to start than right now. All you need is an easy afternoon with this book in one hand and a gin in the other – before you know it, you’ll be your own gin expert with a wealth of knowledge, a bundle of great cocktail ideas and some clear guidance to discovering your favourite tipple. But be warned, there won’t be just one… and that’s the beauty of gin.

Bourbon [Boxed Book & Ephemera Set]: The Story of Kentucky Whiskey by Clay Risen Ten Speed Press (December 14, 2021) A visually stunning illustrated guide to the history, craft, and appreciation of Kentucky bourbon . Bourbon, we soon realized, was not just a good drink. It was a drink with a story, from a place, with an unbreakable tie to the people and the land that produced it. Whiskey expert Clay Risen explores the origins, history, and evolution of America’s distilling craft and culture in this luxurious boxed set. From boom to bust and back again, Risen tells the engrossing story of Kentucky whiskey, using interviews, photographs, and archival material to illuminate the singular region where bourbon was born. This meticulously researched book details how bourbon is made, how best to enjoy it, and how to build your own collection, along with profiles of the distilleries and makers that form the landscape of bourbon country.

Gin: The Ultimate Companion: The Essential Guide to Flavours, Brands, Cocktails, Tonics and More by Ian Buxton Birlinn (December 14, 2021) The 21st century’s own Gin Craze continues unabated, with exciting new crafted gins launched on a regular basis. Most recently, we have seen growing interest in Pink Gins and the development of a range of flavoured gins, not to mention the remarkable rise of tonics – with a tonic to suit every palate, and perhaps every gin. So naturally, leading spirits writer Ian Buxton has looked to revise and renew his focus on this most fashionable of spirits. In this book he brings his customary wit, industry knowledge and highly developed palate to this fast-evolving and dynamic market with enthusiastic, book-buying drinkers keen for more ginsights!

How to Distill: A Complete Guide from Still Design and Fermentation through Distilling and Aging Spirits by Aaron Hyde Harvard Common Press (December 21, 2021) In How to Distill, you’ll learn every aspect of home distilling, from the fundamentals to controlling flavor development to packaging. Whether you want straightforward information for your first moonshine distillation or you’re a home distiller looking to learn more and perfect your gin or bourbon, you’ve come to the right place. In this book, certified industry expert and knowledgeable home distiller Aaron Hyde lays out the how and why of all the key processes, starting at the mash and fermentation, through distilling, and ending with expert information on aging and blending spirits. You’ll find: An Overview of Distilling and the Process: The fundamentals of distillation, concise distillation theory, still design, distilled products, and ingredients are all covered. Pre-Distillation: Move on to learn about the fermentation process, making your own wash from sugar or cereal mashing grain. Distilling: The main event! A robust section on distilling covers modern distillation techniques, the distillation process, key decisions during distillation, process control, collection, and further distillation runs. Post-Distillation: Work your way through flavor development and control, polishing spirit, the aging process, quality considerations, blending, and packaging considerations. Recipes: Whether you’re interested in making bourbon whiskey, scotch whisky, gin, rum, or vodka, you’ll find an easy-to-follow recipe. With reliable, tested information throughout, this is the new standard for distilling.

Liquid History: An Illustrated Guide to London’s Greatest Pubs by John Warland (Author), Dan Cruickshank (Foreword) Bantam Press; Illustrated edition (January 1, 2022) An illustrated guide to London’s best pubs and their extraordinary history, presented by the founder of the world-famous Liquid History Tours. Pull up a stool for a thirst-quenching trundle through London’s liquid history in search of the city’s greatest pubs. We pop in for a pint in Shakespeare’s local, pull up a stool at Jack the Ripper’s bar, and push open the bloodstained doors of the Bucket of Blood. Exploring the watering holes of London’s writers and artists, its most notorious criminals and celebrated figures, from architectural marvels to secretive backstreet boozers, we help join the dots for London’s ultimate knees-up. Liquid History is a beautifully illustrated love letter to London’s finest hostelries, written by the city’s leading pub tour guide and host of the celebrated Liquid History Tours. Profiling over 50 timeless boozers, this book tells the story of London’s history and the taverns that have hosted, harbored, and refreshed its leading characters.

Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide to No- and Low-Alcohol Cocktails with 60 Recipes by Derek Brown (Author), Julia Bainbridge (Foreword) Rizzoli (January 18, 2022) From Dry January to Sober October, moderation is having a moment. This book from spirits expert Derek Brown (newly mindful drinker himself) will show the sober and sober-curious how to mix complex, sophisticated low- and no-proof drinks. It will include recipes, techniques, and sources. Not long after his son was born, Derek Brown decided to cut back on his drinking. But as a bartender, bar owner, and cocktail and spirits expert, he wanted do so using the techniques and expertise of mixology to create a new arsenal of libations that were sophisticated, satisfying, and tasty. Creating these drinks isn’t as simple as removing the alcohol. No- and low-proof cocktails still have to be balanced and still have to be delicious, but they don’t operate exactly like cocktails with alcohol. The drinks Brown presents in this book are meticulously choreographed around taste, texture, body, and piquancy to result in surprisingly complex “adult beverages” minus the booze. Drawing on historical research, meticulous tweaking of classic cocktails to create lower-proof versions, and entirely new concoctions inspired by an evolved home bar, in this book, Derek shares sixty recipes for no- and low-proof cocktails, as well as a guide to the ingredients and equipment you need to imbibe in Mindful Mixology at home.

Detroit Tiki: A History of Polynesian Palaces & Tropical Cocktails by Renee Tadey (Author), Dave Chow (Foreword) The History Press (January 31, 2022) When the South Sea craze swept over the nation in the mid-twentieth century, the wave of island-themed décor and tropical cocktails did not pass by Detroit. The Tropics and Club Bali offered a warming escape from dreary Midwest winters. At its completion in 1967, the Mauna Loa was the most expensive restaurant built east of the Mississippi. With its lush interior and celebrity patrons, it did not disappoint. The Chin Tiki, with its exquisitely handcrafted features, was no less an exceptional destination. Even today, long after the Polynesian craze has faded, a new generation has taken up the tiki torch and brought island flavor and flair back to the city. Join author Renee Tadey on a sweeping journey through the tiki destinations of Detroit.

Exploring the World of Japanese Craft Sake: Rice, Water, Earth by Nancy Matsumoto (Author), Michael Tremblay (Author), John Gauntner (Foreword) Tuttle Publishing (March 8, 2022) This stunning guide invites you into the story of sake—an ancient beverage finding its way in a modern world. Whether you’re a sake novice or an experienced connoisseur, Exploring the World of Japanese Craft Sake offers fascinating insights, practical tips, and rich stories about this popular beverage. Authors and experts Nancy Matsumoto and Michael Tremblay personally undertook the challenge of visiting 33 artisanal sake breweries in Japan, the US, and Canada to interview makers and document every stage of the sake brewing process. Nancy’s celebrated journalistic background combined with Michael’s sake sommelier experience have led to an engaging and informative look at the world of sake. With over 300 color photos and a lively narrative, this fascinating book provides: A comprehensive introduction to the science and history of sake brewing in Japan. A look at how fine craft sakes are brewed today using traditional methods and no additives—only rice, water, koji, and yeast. Histories of Japan’s venerable breweries, some of them over 300 years old! An answer to why some breweries are able to turn out a superior quality of sake. A discussion of rice varieties and “terroirs” where exceptional sakes are produced. Current trends in the world of sake, including the fine sakes now brewed outside Japan. Tasting notes and recommendations for top craft sakes you have not heard about yet. This book also includes personal recipes from several top Japanese brew masters along with food-pairing tips and the authors’ own personal recommendations for the best sake bars in Japan and overseas!

Rum Rebels: A Celebration of Women Revolutionizing the Spirits Industry, with Cocktail Recipes by Martyna Halas & René van Hoven Yellow Pear Press (March 15, 2022) Once known as a sailor’s drink, rum has matured into a refined spirit. In some Caribbean countries, rum is offered as a libation to the gods. In others, it is aged and savored on the rocks. But in the most magical places, rum is distilled by women. Inside Rum Rebels, you’ll find personal anecdotes from master blenders, fabulous recipes for artisan rum cocktails, and the inside scoop on how rum is made from the women behind Appleton, Zacapa, Cachaça, Brugal, and more. The art of cocktails, rum, and women. A pirate staple, rum has been the drink of rebels since the Old World. Now, there’s a new generation of rebels―the business women curating the taste of today’s best rum companies. Part rum cocktail book, part ode to feminism, Rum Rebels is a story of female empowerment in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Looking at more than a dozen rum distilleries, each chapter of Rum Rebels profiles women in leadership, their rum, and the perfect cocktail pairing. Learn how rum is made. Alongside women leaders and pioneers, this worldwide master class explores everything from palates to aging, providing first-hand stories from today’s leading rum distilleries. Whether a beginner or a seasoned rum enthusiast, Rum Rebels is the perfect read for anyone curious about the craft of rum distilling, artisan cocktails, or female leaders in history.