If you missed our first quartet of booze books, click here.
The Negroni
By Gary Regan
Ten Speed Press, May 2015
$18.99
The recently released book The Negroni details the rich history of one of the world’s most iconic cocktails.
Originally an Italian aperitivo, but now a staple of craft bar programs everywhere, the Negroni is one of the simplest and most elegant drink formulas around. Combine one part gin, one part sweet vermouth, and one part Campari, then stir and serve over ice to create a bitterly sweet and smooth drink that has inspired countless variations as well as legions of diehard aficionados.
In The Negroni, author Gary Regan delves into the drink’s beginnings—its origin story is still debated, with battling Italian noblemen laying claim.
He also provides techniques for modern updates such as barrel aging and carbonation, as well as 60 varied recipes.
Cocktails on Tap
Stewart, Tabori & Chang, March 2015
$24.99
With more than 50 recipes for mixed drinks that feature beer, Cocktails on Tap brings together two major trends—craft beer and craft cocktails.
Beer has become a favorite ingredient for bartenders around the world, and this book presents some of the best of these contemporary creations, alongside vintage classics.
Recipes include a Mai Ta-IPA, a hoppy twist on the favorite Tiki cocktail; The Green Devil, featuring Belgian beer, juniper-forward London Dry gin and aromatic absinthe; and Averna Stout Flip, a dessert-like cocktail that blends dark beer, Italian amaro and egg.
With a foreword by beer writer Stephen Beaumont, Cocktails on Tap demonstrates how the vast range of today’s beers can provide the foundation for making an array of specialty cocktails.
The Tippling Bros. A Lime and a Shaker
By Tad Carducci and Paul Tanguay
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, April 2015
$13.50
A Lime and a Shaker offers great ideas for celebrating the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo—or any evening—with a Mexican drink.
There are few spirited libations more familiar and crowd-pleasing than the Margarita, and authors Tad Carducci and Paul Tanguay (aka The Tippling Bros.) deliver variations on the classic, like a Blood Orange-Cinnamon Margarita and a Savory Strawberry Margarita.
This iconic drink is the jumping off point to explore the “art, majesty, and beauty of agave spirits.” The authors take readers on a boozy journey with pit stops for aguas frescas, cervezas, micheladas and sangritas.
They also share their knowledge of all things peppers (they have one to complement every Mexican cocktail), as well as syrups, salts and tasty Mexican bar bites.
The Boozy Blender
By Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarborough
Clarkson Potter, May 2015
$16.99
Authors Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarborough offer up 60 twists on classic recipes in four sections: Deck (with recipes such as the Bananas Foster Freeze); Lounge (including a Frozen Aperol Spritz); Hearth (with the Bourbon Sugar Shack Shake); and Tailgate (featuring a Cherry Lime Ricky-Rita and many more).
The Boozy Blender contains four-color photos and sidebars throughout, such as DIY Excess (make your own grenadine, falernum, etc.); Like a Pro (quick ways to pull a drink up a notch); and Nibbles, which includes snacks such as Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia and Brownie S’mores.
Each section has its own distinct palate intended to inspire readers to get out their blenders and use the freshest ingredients to make fun, colorful and delicious drinks.