Sip and Sensibility: An Inspired Literary Cocktail Collection

by Tim Rayborn

Raise a glass to iconic character and toast to their timeless tales in this charming cocktail book that masterfully blends classic literature with exquisite drinks.

"Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large, thins lice of lemon peel. Got it?" James Bond knows what he’s about when it comes to cocktails. Now you can too with this collection that brings cocktails from the page to the glass. Whether you're a fan of classic literature or simply love a good drink, this book is sure to delight. Each recipe is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the essence of its literary inspiration, resulting in a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and stoke the fires of your imagination. 

Inside you'll

Daisy's mint julep in the Great GatsbyThe famous James Bond vesper martini from Casino RoyaleEbenezer Scrooge's smoking bishop in A Christmas CarolHolden Caulfield's scotch & soda in The Catcher in the RyeLove in the Ruins gin fizzThe Jack Rose from The Sun Also RisesTerry Lennox's and Marlowe’s Gimlet in The Long GoodbyeThe negroni from A Farewell to ArmsThis book provides expert guidance on crafting the perfect drink, along with tips on selecting the right glassware, garnishes, and techniques to elevate your creations. Dust off your bookshelf, polish your cocktail shaker, and savor every page while you quench your thirst for literary libations.

 

Genres: Cookbooks

192 pages, Hardcover

Published July 30, 2024

About the author

Tim Rayborn is a historian, medievalist, and musician, with an MA and PhD from the University of Leeds in England. He is a writer on a variety of topics in history and the arts, from the academic to the amusing to the appalling. He has written nearly 50 books to date.

A professional musician with a specialty in medieval repertoire, he plays dozens of musical instruments, has appeared on more than 40 recordings, and has performed in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Reviews

[Rae | The Finer Things Club CA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a bookworm and an amateur mixologist, so Tim Rayborn’s 𝘚𝘪𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 immediately caught my attention. This collection of cocktail recipes is mainly organized by time period—The Ancient & Early Modern World, The Nineteenth Century, and the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries—and also includes a section for Your Writer’s Favorite Drink. I thought this was a very unique way to categorize and I also enjoyed the sophisticated illustrations that accompanied the drink details. This would make a great present or hostess gift for a bookish friend.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Cider Mill Press and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

I worked my way through a few literary-themed cocktail books at the beginning of the pandemic, but this one really stood out to me for how the author didn't just have a book inspire the cocktail, but actually took cocktails or drinks from literature and collected them in one book, with a whole section on favorite cocktails of authors. Including the text from the novel where the drink is mentioned was fantastic. This was a lot of fun to read.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Sip and Sensibility: An Inspired Literary Cocktail Collection by Tim Rayborn

Rating: 4 Stars

Hey there, fellow book lovers and cocktail enthusiasts! I recently got my hands on Sip and Sensibility: An Inspired Literary Cocktail Collection by Tim Rayborn, and I just have to share my thoughts with you.

First off, can we talk about the cover? It's giving major "brat summer" vibes, and I absolutely love it! It's a beautifully illustrated compendium that immediately draws you in. As someone who's always on the lookout for themed cookbooks, this was right up my alley.

Now, let's get into the heart of the book. Rayborn has created a delightful collection that marries classic literature with some iconic cocktails. From Gatsby's mint julep to James Bond's famous vesper martini, each recipe is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the essence of the literary inspiration behind it. I found myself daydreaming about the characters while sipping on these classic concoctions.

What pleasantly surprised me was the variety of literature and historical references included. It spans a myriad of beloved classics, which makes it a perfect companion for both bookworms and casual readers alike. Whether you're a die-hard fan of A Christmas Carol or a newcomer to The Sun Also Rises, there’s something for everyone here.

That said, I did have a couple of thoughts while flipping through the pages. While the recipes are delightful, I wish they had been a bit more creative. Not that I’m looking for a cocktail version of Moby Dick or anything wild like that, but a touch more creativity would have elevated the experience even further.

That said, if you’re in need of a cocktail book that features many of the classic drink recipes, then this would be a perfect addition to any home bar. The expert guidance on crafting the perfect drink, along with tips on glassware and garnishes, is sure to help anyone from novice mixologists to seasoned bartenders.

In conclusion, Sip and Sensibility is a charming blend of literature and libations that provides both pleasure and inspiration. So dust off your bookshelf, polish your cocktail shaker, and prepare to toast to some timeless tales with a refreshing twist! Cheers! 🍹📚

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Danielle Bricker · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nicely illustrated compendium of classic cocktails

This is only a slight spin on the average book of cocktails - the most distinctive thing about it is its style of illustrations. Though there are a few deep cuts here and there, the cocktail recipes themselves are largely standards like old fashioneds, gin & tonics, daiquiris, several varieties of martini. Likewise most of the literary references are from a rather narrow slice of classics. (In fact, a full half of the 19th century section relies on a single passage from one Mark Twain novel!)

I'm not sure why the book is structured the way it is. Each offering opens with the name of the cocktail and its recipe, but they appear in chronological order by literary reference. If the chronological order was most important, why not open with the literary passage and then offer the recipe at the end? If the recipes are most important, why not arrange them in an easier to navigate manner, for instance by placing all the types of martini in a section, all the gin fizzes and gimlets in another?

Finally, the writing leaves me unimpressed. The introduction kicks off drier than the vermouth you'll need on your bar, and later attempts to inject humor land poorly in my opinion. (There are a lot of jokes about how fortunately you can drink this cocktail even if you're not such-and-such character in a book.) There's a glimmer of pretentiousness in much of the commentary on these recipes, and come to find in the author's bio... he admits he doesn't even really like cocktails very much? What a strange thing to proclaim to an audience that is obviously very interested in mixed drinks and has invested itself in your knowledge and opinion on them.

For those seeking a literary twist on their lemon twists, I recommend checking out Gin Austen instead. That being said, if you're invested in a Hemingway-and-Fitzgerald only view of literature and after an introduction to basic mixed drinks, this might meet your expectations more readily than it did mine.

Thank you to publisher Cider Mill Press for my advance copy, provided in exchange for an honest review. This book will be available on shelves July 30, 2024.

[Josie Russo · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a Jane Austen girlie, I won't lie when I say the title of this is what caught my attention first. I was pleasantly surprised to find it spanned a myriad of literature and historical references. I've always found it fascinating how ingrained alcohol is with society historically, mostly because it was the only safe and reliable thing to drink for a good chunk of it. As a result, it's a deep part of literary history, which I appreciate Rayborn noting the negative outcomes of too. A really cool segment was the early historical recipes, which Rayborn notes aren't cocktails how we know them, but are important in the formation of what they would become today. Even if the drinks aren't something you'd make to drink yourself, it's fun to see the earliest glimpses of cocktails for the historical perspective.

Otherwise, it is rather basic of a recipe book. Where it is so easy to go online and find basic cocktail recipes, I'd hoped for something that would of been a little more of the "wow" factor in terms of takes on some of these cocktails. Especially since this is not the first type of book to take the literary spin. And, several of these are from the same book. When they're so basic a recipe, it probably would've benefitted from finding more references in different text. Or, give updated takes on the writer's favorite drinks section instead of as is.

The artwork within the book is beautiful and simple, which I think would also make this a perfect little addition to your bar cart if you need a basic but cute reference for cocktails.

[AVS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time you try a new food or drink recipe, you might wonder where it originated. When it comes to cocktails, you would definitely want to know more about their history. If you also have a love for classic literature, you'll fall in love with this book.

The book not only references literature but elaborates on it to the extent that you’ll want to taste every drink and experience what each author might have felt. Along with the cocktail recipes, it provides detailed instructions on how to create your own versions.

Another important aspect of the book is the illustrations. Some refer to the names of the cocktails, while others draw on literary references. Whenever you want to make a drink, this book can be a valuable resource. By exploring spices, herbs, and various liquids, it shows you how to elevate your cocktail experience.

I would give this book four out of five stars and would definitely refer to it before making my next drink.

[Poonam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really excited to learn go this book because it blends two things I like: reading / literary history with cocktails and mixology. I think the concept is really cool as it outlines different drink recipes based on them being mentioned in different books or being associated with different authors. Personally, I would've liked the cocktails to be a bit more inventive and have the recipe tie in more elements that were mentioned/related to the books associated with them, but if you are looking for a cocktail book that has some of the "standard" good to know drink recipes, then this is a pretty book to have for your home bar!

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this cocktail collection. The drinks features were a little hit and miss in terms of creativity - but I appreciate that finding the literary ties to all of these cocktails may leave the writer a little limited in options. While I love the look of the Bronx Cocktail (featured in The Great Gatsby), the Bourbon and Coke feels more like a page filler by comparison. That said, the illustrations were beautiful and the writing that accompanied each recipe was clearly well researched and very interesting. While I'd only reach for a handful of these recipes, I still think this earns a place in any book-lovers kitchen.

[Erikka · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a book of recipes for drinks mentioned in books by a handful of authors. 5 are from one book. It wasn’t great. Also most of them are classic standard cocktails, so it’s not like you’ll learn new and exciting drinks. If you can make a martini or an old fashioned, you’ll just learn what book they’re mentioned in. And it’s probably Mark Twain or Hemingway.

[Araya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc Review:
Overall Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

An interesting take on a book full of cocktail recipes. It was a pretty standard collection of cocktail recipes and I liked the illustrations of the cocktails.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun collection of cocktails inspired by iconic classic literature.

Very cool concept and well executed!

Thank you to Netgalley, Cider Mill Press and Tim Rayborn for an ARC of this cool book.

[Felicity · Rating 5 out of 5]

so useful and cute, need steinbeck’s beer milkshake

[Jam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a shitty sober bartender and this slightly helps me

[Chloe Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

very excited to try these drinks!!! i really loved the formatting of this book; both informative and cool while also doing it's job of listing out the ingredients and method.