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Under the Table: A Dorothy Parker Cocktail Guide
"I love a martini—
But two at the most.
Three, I’m under the table;
Four, I’m under the host."
Raise a glass to Dorothy Parker’s wit and wisdom.
Kevin C. Fitzpatrick, founder and president of the Dorothy Parker Society, gives us an intoxicating new look at the doyenne of the ripping riposte through the lens she most preferred: the bottom of a glass. A bar book for Parker enthusiasts and literary tipplers alike, Under the Table offers a unique take on Mrs. Parker, the Algonquin Round Table, and the Jazz Age by celebrating the cocktails that she, her bitter friends, and sweetest enemies enjoyed.
Each entry of this delicious compendium offers a fascinating and lively history of a period cocktail, a complete recipe, and the characters associated with it. The book also features a special selection of twenty first–century speakeasy-style recipes from the country’s top mixologists. Topping it off are excerpts from Parker’s poems, stories, and other writings that will allow you to enjoy her world from the speakeasies of New York City to the watering holes of Hollywood.
But two at the most.
Three, I’m under the table;
Four, I’m under the host."
Raise a glass to Dorothy Parker’s wit and wisdom.
Kevin C. Fitzpatrick, founder and president of the Dorothy Parker Society, gives us an intoxicating new look at the doyenne of the ripping riposte through the lens she most preferred: the bottom of a glass. A bar book for Parker enthusiasts and literary tipplers alike, Under the Table offers a unique take on Mrs. Parker, the Algonquin Round Table, and the Jazz Age by celebrating the cocktails that she, her bitter friends, and sweetest enemies enjoyed.
Each entry of this delicious compendium offers a fascinating and lively history of a period cocktail, a complete recipe, and the characters associated with it. The book also features a special selection of twenty first–century speakeasy-style recipes from the country’s top mixologists. Topping it off are excerpts from Parker’s poems, stories, and other writings that will allow you to enjoy her world from the speakeasies of New York City to the watering holes of Hollywood.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Kevin C. Fitzpatrick
13 books28 followersKevin C. Fitzpatrick is a New York author, public historian, and tour guide. Kevin is the author and editor of nine books that are all tied to New York history. His most recent is Dorothy Parker’s New York (Expanded Edition) from SUNY Press.
He is a fourth-generation New Yorker who launched his tour guide company Big Apple Fanatics Tours in 1999. Kevin leads city history walking tours and boat tours of Long Island.
Kevin launched the Dorothy Parker Society in 1998 and became the driving force in scores of projects around Parker’s legacy. The biggest was his campaign to bring Parker’s cremains from Baltimore to New York; he buried Parker’s urn next to her parents in 2020.
His books are always about New York: 111 Places in the Bronx That You Must Not Miss (Emons), is the first guidebook to the borough in fifty years. World War One New York: A Guide to the City’s Enduring Ties to the Great War (Globe Pequot Press) was timed to the centennial of the war and is the definitive study of Great War memorials in the region.
The Governors Island Explorer’s Guide (Globe Pequot) is the first and only guidebook to the beloved island in New York Harbor. It has more than one hundred locations and a full island history from the pre-colonial era to today.
Kevin is an expert on the Jazz Age and Speakeasy Era. Among his books are The Algonquin Round Table’s New York: A Historical Guide (Lyons Press), the only book that has a full history of the famous literary group from the 1920s, with biographies of all thirty members.
Dorothy Parker Complete Broadway, 1918-1923 (Donald Books) collects 150,000 words of Dorothy Parker’s drama reviews. Kevin edited the work, wrote the introduction, extensive notes section, and the index. Under the Table: A Dorothy Parker Cocktail Guide (Lyons Press) collects seventy five drink recipes with anecdotes, stories, and references to the Prohibition Era.
A Journey into Dorothy Parker’s New York (Roaring Forties Press) was a hit with fans and provided a detailed overview of the writer and wit’s eventful life. The Lost Algonquin Round Table: Humor, Fiction, Journalism, Criticism and Poetry From America’s Most Famous Literary Circle (Donald Books) was co-edited with Nat Benchley, a grandson of Robert Benchley. This book is the first collection of writing by more than a dozen members of the “Vicious Circle” that met at the Algonquin Hotel.
Kevin has twice won the Apple Award for Outstanding Achievement in Non-Fiction Book Writing by the Guides Association of New York City. He also shared in a third award with his friend Joanna Leban for their podcast.
Kevin is a graduate of Northeast Missouri State University. He worked in newspapers, television, magazines, advertising, marketing, and a myriad of other schemes for low pay. He is the Shepherd (president) of The Lambs and is affiliated with many other fine organizations.
He is a fourth-generation New Yorker who launched his tour guide company Big Apple Fanatics Tours in 1999. Kevin leads city history walking tours and boat tours of Long Island.
Kevin launched the Dorothy Parker Society in 1998 and became the driving force in scores of projects around Parker’s legacy. The biggest was his campaign to bring Parker’s cremains from Baltimore to New York; he buried Parker’s urn next to her parents in 2020.
His books are always about New York: 111 Places in the Bronx That You Must Not Miss (Emons), is the first guidebook to the borough in fifty years. World War One New York: A Guide to the City’s Enduring Ties to the Great War (Globe Pequot Press) was timed to the centennial of the war and is the definitive study of Great War memorials in the region.
The Governors Island Explorer’s Guide (Globe Pequot) is the first and only guidebook to the beloved island in New York Harbor. It has more than one hundred locations and a full island history from the pre-colonial era to today.
Kevin is an expert on the Jazz Age and Speakeasy Era. Among his books are The Algonquin Round Table’s New York: A Historical Guide (Lyons Press), the only book that has a full history of the famous literary group from the 1920s, with biographies of all thirty members.
Dorothy Parker Complete Broadway, 1918-1923 (Donald Books) collects 150,000 words of Dorothy Parker’s drama reviews. Kevin edited the work, wrote the introduction, extensive notes section, and the index. Under the Table: A Dorothy Parker Cocktail Guide (Lyons Press) collects seventy five drink recipes with anecdotes, stories, and references to the Prohibition Era.
A Journey into Dorothy Parker’s New York (Roaring Forties Press) was a hit with fans and provided a detailed overview of the writer and wit’s eventful life. The Lost Algonquin Round Table: Humor, Fiction, Journalism, Criticism and Poetry From America’s Most Famous Literary Circle (Donald Books) was co-edited with Nat Benchley, a grandson of Robert Benchley. This book is the first collection of writing by more than a dozen members of the “Vicious Circle” that met at the Algonquin Hotel.
Kevin has twice won the Apple Award for Outstanding Achievement in Non-Fiction Book Writing by the Guides Association of New York City. He also shared in a third award with his friend Joanna Leban for their podcast.
Kevin is a graduate of Northeast Missouri State University. He worked in newspapers, television, magazines, advertising, marketing, and a myriad of other schemes for low pay. He is the Shepherd (president) of The Lambs and is affiliated with many other fine organizations.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 21, 2014
This book by Kevin C. Fitzpatrick is a fantastic read. It includes many delicious classic cocktail recipes from the prohibition era, with a story associated with that drink.
One of the entries I particularly enjoyed was about a cocktail called the Orange Blossom. The entry describes this cocktail as the first ever alcoholic drink consumed by writer, humorist, Robert Benchley.
This event took place at one of his favorite speakeasies, called Tony's. Tony's, the favorite speakeasy of Dorothy Parker, played host to all of the Algonquin Round Table set.
Tony's located near the Algonquin Hotel at the time, was a very convenient spot for the Algonquin members to go to after their lunches at the hotel.
Tony Soma the owner and proprietor of the speakeasy, became a favorite host to Broadway entertainers, Hollywood actors, politicians, and of course, writers.
This speakeasy was an exclusive "club" that only catered to the well-known and "connected" elite of New York and Hollywood society.
Love the concept of the book; it's educational, entertaining AND can get you drunk.
One of the entries I particularly enjoyed was about a cocktail called the Orange Blossom. The entry describes this cocktail as the first ever alcoholic drink consumed by writer, humorist, Robert Benchley.
This event took place at one of his favorite speakeasies, called Tony's. Tony's, the favorite speakeasy of Dorothy Parker, played host to all of the Algonquin Round Table set.
Tony's located near the Algonquin Hotel at the time, was a very convenient spot for the Algonquin members to go to after their lunches at the hotel.
Tony Soma the owner and proprietor of the speakeasy, became a favorite host to Broadway entertainers, Hollywood actors, politicians, and of course, writers.
This speakeasy was an exclusive "club" that only catered to the well-known and "connected" elite of New York and Hollywood society.
Love the concept of the book; it's educational, entertaining AND can get you drunk.
December 20, 2013
I love Dorothy Parker. Her wit, her wisdom, her attitude, her style, and even her affinity for gin (despite my own preference for vodka). The original Girl New York – at least in my mind – Dorothy Parker has always been a guiding light when my own literary vision gets cloudy. Whether inventing her own terminology (“one-night stand” and “what the hell”), penning pithy poems that the world embraces as fact (“Men seldom make passes / At girls who wear glasses”), or cracking wise, she’s always been one of my favorite literary heroes. So when author and Dorothy Parker Society President Kevin C. Fitzpatrick announced his latest tribute to the lovely lady, I knew there could be nothing but fresh hell for anyone who stood between me and my DP.
Now, Dorothy Parker aficionados have surely all heard her famous cocktail quip:
I love a martini–
But two at the most.
Three, I’m under the table;
Four, I’m under the host.
But did you know that the divine Ms. Parker never actually wrote these lines? Perhaps they were overheard at the Algonquin Round Table, her preferred hangout, or whilst enjoying a cup of bathtub gin (a recipe for which is included in the book), but as Under the Table: A Dorothy Parker Cocktail Guide will inform you, this supposed ode to the martini often found on bar napkins is not amongst Ms. Parker’s published works.
That’s just one of the many boozy tidbits you’ll imbibe as you page through Kevin C. Fitzpatrick’s unique collection of Dorothy Parker facts and classic (plus a few modern) cocktail recipes. A delightful blend of hearsay and history, musings and mixology, there’s plenty to satisfy Dorothy’s fans, as well as lots of lore to inspire cocktail enthusiasts to become new ones.
In addition to the wonderful trivia and commentary on Dottie’s life, Fitzpatrick has also included such asides as “A Guide to Speakeasy Slang,” with gems like “giggle-water” and “flat tire.” And who can resist being described as “the bee’s knees” or “cat’s meow”?
Along with an original Dorothy Parker-inspired cocktail called The Acerbic Mrs. Parker, the book also contains recipes for drinks enjoyed by or created for her fellow Algonquin Round Table wits, such as Alexander Woolcott (not, in fact, the inspiration for the Brandy Alexander, despite his insistence to the contrary), Edna Ferber, and Franklin P. Adams. I was also pleased to discover a recipe for a drink called the Espionage – one of only two in the book that contain vodka as a main ingredient – that noted Ms. Parker’s FBI file was three inches thick, despite the fact that her only arrest was at a rally for Sacco and Vanzetti. After all, isn’t there something compelling about a woman who arouses such government curiosity, despite being on (generally) good behavior?
Another unique aspect to this volume is its bicoastal focus, following Dorothy’s New York upbringing and early career through to her days in Hollywood as a screenwriter, penning such scripts as the Oscar-nominated “Smash-Up.” Instead of concentrating solely on east coast cocktails and lore, readers can enjoy drinks and stories from across the country and even around the world, with concoctions like the Mint Julep and the Cuba Libre. Even Mrs. Parker’s frenemy, Ernest Hemingway, gets to bask a bit in her reflected glory with recipes for Death in the Afternoon and the Hemingway Daiquiri.
All in all, whether you’re a Dorothy Parker devotee or a craft cocktail connoisseur – or, hell, just a lush who loves spouting poetry – be sure to add this book to your Must Read pile. Then, consider your holiday gift list solved.
(Originally posted at Black Heart Magazine)
Now, Dorothy Parker aficionados have surely all heard her famous cocktail quip:
I love a martini–
But two at the most.
Three, I’m under the table;
Four, I’m under the host.
But did you know that the divine Ms. Parker never actually wrote these lines? Perhaps they were overheard at the Algonquin Round Table, her preferred hangout, or whilst enjoying a cup of bathtub gin (a recipe for which is included in the book), but as Under the Table: A Dorothy Parker Cocktail Guide will inform you, this supposed ode to the martini often found on bar napkins is not amongst Ms. Parker’s published works.
That’s just one of the many boozy tidbits you’ll imbibe as you page through Kevin C. Fitzpatrick’s unique collection of Dorothy Parker facts and classic (plus a few modern) cocktail recipes. A delightful blend of hearsay and history, musings and mixology, there’s plenty to satisfy Dorothy’s fans, as well as lots of lore to inspire cocktail enthusiasts to become new ones.
In addition to the wonderful trivia and commentary on Dottie’s life, Fitzpatrick has also included such asides as “A Guide to Speakeasy Slang,” with gems like “giggle-water” and “flat tire.” And who can resist being described as “the bee’s knees” or “cat’s meow”?
Along with an original Dorothy Parker-inspired cocktail called The Acerbic Mrs. Parker, the book also contains recipes for drinks enjoyed by or created for her fellow Algonquin Round Table wits, such as Alexander Woolcott (not, in fact, the inspiration for the Brandy Alexander, despite his insistence to the contrary), Edna Ferber, and Franklin P. Adams. I was also pleased to discover a recipe for a drink called the Espionage – one of only two in the book that contain vodka as a main ingredient – that noted Ms. Parker’s FBI file was three inches thick, despite the fact that her only arrest was at a rally for Sacco and Vanzetti. After all, isn’t there something compelling about a woman who arouses such government curiosity, despite being on (generally) good behavior?
Another unique aspect to this volume is its bicoastal focus, following Dorothy’s New York upbringing and early career through to her days in Hollywood as a screenwriter, penning such scripts as the Oscar-nominated “Smash-Up.” Instead of concentrating solely on east coast cocktails and lore, readers can enjoy drinks and stories from across the country and even around the world, with concoctions like the Mint Julep and the Cuba Libre. Even Mrs. Parker’s frenemy, Ernest Hemingway, gets to bask a bit in her reflected glory with recipes for Death in the Afternoon and the Hemingway Daiquiri.
All in all, whether you’re a Dorothy Parker devotee or a craft cocktail connoisseur – or, hell, just a lush who loves spouting poetry – be sure to add this book to your Must Read pile. Then, consider your holiday gift list solved.
(Originally posted at Black Heart Magazine)
Read
February 23, 2020This is a short, enjoyable book that gives a brief introduction to Dorothy Parker and the Algonquin Round Table, and then segues into a selection containing recipes for popular drinks from the 1920s. Each drink is introduced with a story about the 1920s, including stories about Dorothy Parker. Since we are beginning a centenary of the 1920s, it is fun to read these stories about a time so long ago, but not so long ago.
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December 2, 2022
I finally got around to reading this, after attending the book launch years prior.
Author Fitzpatrick combines two of his passions: Dorothy Parker and New York bar culture, into one book, interspersing Prohibition-era cocktail recipes with stories of Dorothy Parker and her literary and drinking cohorts of the famed Algonquin Round Table.
It was such an interesting read, I didn't even realize the cocktail recipes were in alphabetical order until I got to "Ziegfeld".
Author Fitzpatrick combines two of his passions: Dorothy Parker and New York bar culture, into one book, interspersing Prohibition-era cocktail recipes with stories of Dorothy Parker and her literary and drinking cohorts of the famed Algonquin Round Table.
It was such an interesting read, I didn't even realize the cocktail recipes were in alphabetical order until I got to "Ziegfeld".
April 24, 2021
Extensive, entertaining and tasty collection of early 20th century cocktail recipes and their backstories. Worth reading *and* drinking. Highly recommended to cocktail enthusiasts as well as Jazz Age aficionados
March 26, 2021
Começa excelente, vai indo bem até que uma leve picaretagem surge na superfície. Ainda assim, é uma boa introdução a esse universo.
February 6, 2014
I enjoyed the book, a quick read and it held many recipes. Being somewhat of a cocktail historian I may dispute some of the recipes, but that's like disputing a recipe for chocolate chip cookies: some ingredients are necessary while omissions and substitutions are a matter of personal preference. If you are a fan of Ms. Parker, the Algonquin Round Table or vintage cocktails, grab a copy of this book for your library. (But make sure you have some Dorothy Parker American Gin on hand in case you get the hankering for a cool drink.)
January 4, 2017
Spiffy! One of my go to cocktail cookery books, with mostly historic recipes. Wee gripes are regarding a few persnickety selections from modern bars, containing ingredients you won't find easily or use in any other cocktail, and one really ick version of a French 75 (too much lemon, and try a cognac version from another text; thank me later.) What truly sold me are the anecdotes attached to the drinks. Read it, and feel enlightened... and tipsy.
September 3, 2015
A wonderful history of Dorothy Parker and her Vicious Circle with recipes included. This book would be a great gift for a cocktail loving friends and family. A few words of wisdom, a little history and some classic booze! Everything you need for happiness.
October 4, 2014
Loved the little stories mixed in with the drink recipes. Tried a few of the recipes and enjoyed, but hard to find some of the ingredients. Thank goodness for the internet!!
July 26, 2014
Recipe for a great read: Take 1 part cocktail recipes, one part bite-sized version of Parker's bio, 1 part fun facts about Parker's times. Makes one 100% satisfying book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews