The Classic Cocktail Sessions: A Bartender's New-Fashioned Approach to the World's Most Beloved Recipes

by Toby Maloney, Emma Janzen

Genres: Cookbooks, Food

320 pages, Hardcover

Published June 16, 2026

Reviews

[Mai H.]

Henry is a bit of a cocktail snob, so I read this for him. While he's a Manhattan through and through, I'm a dirty filthy gin martini.

I'm not crazy adventurous in my cocktail forays. I'm a gin girlie. I'm semi-recently a mezcal and tequila girlie. And within these, what I like is quite slim, but I do know what I like. I love martinis. Dirty, as I said earlier. Dry is fine. I love the Vesper at Hatchet Hall. I semi-recently love Negronis. (I didn't used to love the bitterness of Campari. I can't get enough now).

I learned a lot about classic cocktails, how to make them, how to source ingredients, and the importance of shaking v. stirring. Sorry, Bond.

🥃 Take a shot if you outgrew bottom shelf vodka in high school
🥃 Take a shot if you can't stomach brown liquors
🥃 Take a shot if you're a little snobby and don't care

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter

[Alyssa Snow]

This felt like talking to a best friend about their passion. I loved the humor threaded through the delightful detail. There was just enough of every element, just like a good cokctaul: history, process, tasting notes, substitutions, the family orders, I have no complaints and look forward to adding this to my personal collection as a hard copy reference guide!

Thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Press for this Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!

[J.]

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for providing me an advance copy of, The Classic Cocktail Sessions, a companion follow-up to James Beard Award-winning authors Toby Maloney and Emma Janzen's essential cocktail #reference guide, #TheBartendersManifesto, in exchange for an honest review.

According to "The Prelude", #TheClassicCocktailSessions is a training manual for aspiring bartenders that focuses on the technique and theory behind the recipes of 61 classic cocktails through a twenty-first century lens. Like the composition of a traditional Negroni, the tone is a holy trinity of relatable, whimsical, and musically-retro, aiding in fostering the laid-back atmosphere, which enables readers to relax and practice cultivating their craft sans judgment. Even before any mentions of awards, this #guide truly showcases the authors' talents and clearly demonstrates that these are masters of their craft through gorgeous simplicity.

After "The Prelude", which is also where the authors expound on the criteria used to select the classic recipes, the book is further divided between three additional sections: The Prep, The Composition, and The Sessions. The Prep and The Composition cover a variety of essential topics, ranging from recipes for various types or flavors of simple syrups to proper glassware and the procedural steps for mixing #cocktails. The meat of the guide, however, is devoted to the section entitled, The Sessions.

Sessions refer to the individual recipes where the bulk of the learning occurs. Aspiring bartenders will become proficient in pure chemistry (sort of)...more precisely, understanding the composition of a particular drink, which in time, will allow for tweaking future recipes and creating your own concoctions. Each session consists of a single recipe, which includes a designated glossy photo, a witty blurb about the particular drink, the authors approach to making the recipe, the procedural steps, how to personalize and choose your own ingredients, as well as margin notes about the "Mize", such as the tools and/or glassware required, and a brief RIYL list.

The information gained from even a single "Session" is astounding. From knowledge about your personal palette to applying the chemistry to any drink you mix. I highly recommend #TheClassicCocktailSessions to anyone interested in cocktails (or mocktails), amateur or not. I intend to purchase a hard copy once released to have on hand and to decorate with customized annotations. On a personal note, the most intriguing "not riff" in the Sessions was the modernized Saturn. Happy Mixing!

[Reneaue]

The Classic Cocktail Sessions is an excellent addition to your bookshelf for those who love to entertain. For me, it will sit alongside other modern classic cocktail editions such as "Death & Co." and the "Cocktail Codex". The book is divided into 5 main sections: The Prelude, The Prep, The Composition, The Sessions and Friends & Family.

So why would you need a classic cocktail book when the recipes are all online? To draw from the author’s note in “The Prelude”:

The Classic Cocktail Sessions is a deep dive into the inner workings of sixty-one of the world’s most beloved cocktails. Each drink gets its own “session” where my co-author, Emma Janzen, and I explore what makes the cocktail unique and marvelous, accompanied by details of the nitty-gritty techniques and philosophies you’ll need to make the most devious versions possible.

In this book you will be taken into the mind of the modern bartender as you learn the perfect liquors, mixers and ratios to create these drinks as they were intended. Every nuance is only to amplify the the flavor without changing the fundamental nature of the drink.

In the Prep section there is a cheat sheet for everything you need in your liquor cabinet. Followed by a definitive glossary of simple syrups with detailed recipes for each and a primer on the proper glassware for each drink.

The Composition is your step-by-step guide to painstakingly create classic cocktails that walks you through all the “how’s” and “why’s”. This section provides helpful tips such as “The Tools and Mechanics of Stirring”, different straining techniques and "Garnishing for Aesthetics and Aroma."

The Sessions is the core of the book which features all the most popular recipes for classic cocktails while Friends & Family provides variants of the staples such as the Manhattan, Martini and Negroni.

For each drink you will be given the “Specs”, which is a list of ingredients; the “Approach” which explains the techniques; “Choosing your ingredients” which details the reasoning behind the choices in the recipe; “How to Mix”; and finally some tips on how to personalize the drink to your tastes.

The book is beautifully laid out with interesting graphics and elegant photographs of each cocktail. I haven’t had a chance to make all the drinks in this book (that may take quite some time), but the ones I have tried met with approval all-around.

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Thank you to NetGalley, the authors and Ten Speed Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Pattie]

The subtitle of this book is "A Bartender's New-Fashioned Approach to the World's Most Beloved Recipes". As a self-proclaimed cocktail aficionado, I was really interested to see what was "new-fashioned" about this book. The answer is that, according to the authors, "... the classics are the embodiment of 'gimme the usual'" and also the basis for creating new classics. This is not a cocktail recipe book in the style of Mr. Boston. This is a serious ode to the history and crafting of each of these 61 cocktails.

According to the introductory chapters, the book can be used as a quick reference guide for casual use, but I honestly feel that the audience that would most benefit are folks that are truly serious about their cocktails. Included here are recommendations for building your bar to suit your needs, from liquor to bitters to pantry staples, and glassware. There are graphics of cocktails by strength, by narrative arc, and by vibes. There are recipes for syrups, tips for preparing your mise en place and more. Techniques such as various shaking, stirring, and straining styles, and garnish prep. This book is seriously informative for the serious bartender, professional or not.

Each cocktail "session" is 4 pages long, consisting of a gorgeous photo, a bit of history and/or explanation of the cocktail, a page that includes the authors' approach to making the cocktail and advice on choosing ingredients. The final page is the actual construction of the cocktail, right through to the garnish. These are loving odes to the classics and I'm here for it.

One of my favorite things is the extensive index, which allows you to search by ingredient in addition to the name of the cocktail. For example, I am the proud owner of a bottle of yellow chartreuse. All I have to do is consult the index to see that I should check out the sessions for the Alaska or the Daisy de Santiago, (neither of which I have ever heard of). There are all the old standby's that I love, like Manhattans, but also a couple of pages of Manhattan and friends that list the variations like Rob Roy or Brooklyn.

Needless to say, if you aren't a cocktail drinker, this book might be a bit much for you. On the other hand, it could inspire you to become one. If you are a collector of cocktail books (it me), a cocktail aficionado interested in making the classics in your jammies at home (it also me), or an aspiring bartender (been there, done that) you will find this an invaluable resource.

Thanks to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter / Ten Speed Press for the advanced reading copy of this book. These are my honest, cocktail-loving opinions.

[The Sassy Bookworm]

Book Review: *The Classic Cocktail Sessions* by Toby Maloney & Emma Janzen

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I just finished reading *The Classic Cocktail Sessions* by Toby Maloney and Emma Janzen, and I have to say—it’s an absolute gem for anyone passionate about cocktails, whether you’re a seasoned bartender or just a curious home enthusiast. This book feels like being invited behind the bar by two experts who genuinely want to share their craft in a fun, approachable way.

At its core, the book is a masterclass on the timeless classics—the Old Fashioned, Daiquiri, Negroni, and more—that form the foundation of mixology. But it’s so much more than just recipes. Toby Maloney brings decades of bartending experience to the table, walking you through each drink with incredible depth. You learn not just how to make these cocktails, but why certain techniques, ingredient choices, and even subtle tweaks matter. It’s about finding the perfect balance, texture, aroma, and temperature to create something truly exceptional every time.

What I loved most was the “session” format. Each cocktail gets its own deep dive—think of it as an immersive tutorial that covers everything from ingredient variations to tasting notes and even personalizing the classic formulas. I found myself gaining insights not just about the cocktails themselves but about my own palate and how to think critically about flavor combinations.

The book’s design and photography are also worth mentioning—Emma Janzen’s stunning images make the cocktails almost leap off the page. Plus, the cover caught my eye immediately with its clever humor and attention to detail. It’s exactly what I look for in a cocktail book: informative, beautifully presented, and sprinkled with wit.

If you’re into cocktails or even mocktails, this book is a fantastic addition to your collection. It’s practical enough for everyday use but rich in knowledge that will elevate your skills over time. I’m definitely adding a hard copy to my personal library—it’s going to be my go-to reference for years to come.

Highly recommended for anyone looking to sharpen their mixology game or simply enjoy the art of a classic drink done right!

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

[Little Batties]

The author wrote this cocktail book like it's the cocktail bible and he's the god. It's snooty and pretentious, much like half of the cocktails in this book. There were parts of this that felt like a lecture, conveying the idea there was one way and one way only to handle the recipes, despite the notes about customization. It was educational in its own right, but it also speaks down to the readers in a way that makes it seem like someone is standing in front of you telling you how you need to make the cocktail. It doesn't leave the reader invited in, so to speak.

The author does have a way with words; there's a frankness to this book that was entertaining. As someone who has worked as a bartender, I can see the benefits of a book like this to someone who may just be starting out. It was a nice change of pace from some of the other cocktail books I have read, but that is not necessarily a good thing. It lacks some of the creativeness some books have, making it a little dull and boring. There is also a fact that, depending on where you live, you are not going to be able to get some of the specific brands of ingredients to make the drink the way it is claim to need to be made.

Overall, this book would be a great gift to someone who has an interest in bartending or may love a good cocktail themselves. If anything, it has beautiful pictures of some cocktails that may inspire you to make your own.

Thank you NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Donna]

Thank you to Clarkson Potter / Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
As someone who loves drinking cocktails, and with a husband who is an amateur bartender, this book was an absolute dream for us to dive into together. Toby Maloney and Emma Janzen have crafted an impressive, highly visual cocktail guide that we had a blast exploring. We even put it to the test and made a few drinks ourselves—I had a lovely Hemingway Daiquiri, and we also mixed up a Jet Pilot (which definitely lived up to the hype!).
It is the perfect book for visual learners. The stunning photography and ingenious charts—like the narrative arc and the strength-by-strength chart made this book fun.
Beyond the recipes, the how and why of the science behind mixing is explained in a way that is thoroughly engaging and easy to understand. The detail provided for each cocktail is immaculate, guiding you from the initial glassware prep all the way to the final presentation.
Whether you are a home enthusiast or a seasoned bartender, this is a fabulous addition to your shelf. We loved it so much that I am definitely purchasing a physical copy to add to our home mixology book collection.
Highly recommended!

[Joni]

I am not a professional bartender but I do like to make cocktails at home. This guide shows not only what ingredients to use but in what order to add them in. Who knew it made a difference? I didn't but I do now. It's more than an instructional guide, it's like having a knowledgeable friend right there with you cracking jokes and telling stories. This is a must have for anyone wanting to up their bartending game.
Thank you NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for the ARC

[Roberta Godoy]

For someone like me—who isn't used to drinking, let alone making cocktails—this is the perfect book to learn more about the subject. It’s organized into different sections, covering everything from simple to complex ingredients, explaining the different types of glassware, and, most importantly, providing step-by-step instructions for preparing each drink. I found it really interesting and felt inspired to try out various cocktails from the list.

[Kara]

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!

This recipe book demands to be read while listening to a Jazz album, as the book lays out all the classic cocktails and how to make them, while also showcasing the delightful perfection of pairing the taste of old school cocktails with the sounds of old school Jazz.

[Annie]

What a delightful, well researched and designed, comprehensive reference for cocktails! Colorful pages, beautiful photos, specifics around how to select ingredients and make cocktails - as well as how to personalize - this is a great go-to!

Thank you to Netgalley and to Clarkson Potter for an ARC.

[Zach Rose]

A one-of-a-kind cocktail recipe book, providing you not only with a simple recipe to make the best version of all the classics but with detailed mixing instructions designed to teach you about the cocktail mixing process, with beautiful photography and engaging design to boot. This book is all about fun!