Around the World in 80 Cocktails

by Chad Parkhill, Alice Oehr (Illustrator)

Around the World in 80 Cocktails celebrates the globetrotting history of the cocktail through eighty different iconic drinks – each of which has its own story to tell. Bartender and writer Chad Parkhill takes you on a whirlwind tour of the places that have shaped the history of the cocktail from its birth to the present day, with recipes so you can follow along at home.

You'll learn about the surprising military history behind the bubbly, vivacious Venetian Spritz; how the G&T moved from India to England (and why the best in the world are now made in Spain); and how France's Burgundy region turned tragedy into triumph with the Kir. Accompanied by gorgeous vintage-style illustrations that evoke antique travel posters, these stories and recipes are an ode to the joys of travel, history, and drinking.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Reference, Cooking, Travel

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 2017

Reviews

[Vishnu Chevli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A colorful cover and a catchy title got my attention when I saw this book the first time. I have seen titles like "Around the world in 80 days", "Around the world in 80 trains", "Around the world in 80 Dates" but 80 cocktails. That was completely new for me. So curiosity built up inside me. I like to try various combinations of mocktails at home, so when I saw this book, I actually saw it as an opportunity to try 80 new drinks. I expected it as a normal recipe book but it turned out as a complete surprise for me. I was flat by its artwork.

Coming to the text content, as the title suggests the book discusses 80 well-known cocktails from various cultures & countries. Each cocktail is dedicated to a chapter, which covered history or basic facts about that drink. It also covers recipes and ingredients required for that cocktail. If you love booze you will enjoy these drinks, but if you are a nonalcoholic (nondrinker) you may substitute flavored soft drink and convert it to a tasty mocktail. I tried a few you may also. Check out the book to know more.

Those who are not aware:
A cocktail is an alcoholic drink.
A mocktail is a nonalcoholic drink

Let's take a review of artwork. This is I am discussing specifically. The beauty of the book is the artwork. The illustrator Alice Oehr has given wonderful depictions of each cocktail along with the culture or place it belongs to. The culture is visible in the background of each chapter.

Good points
1) A perfect combination of art & culture
2) Light in nature,. If you like a chapter read it, if you don't, skip it.
3) The recipe described are easy to try
4) You can use it for a showcase or as a coffee table book
5) Good quality of pages and graphics

In and all, I liked it. And yes I am giving 5 stars to art and 4.5 stars to the book.

Detailed Review Link - https://chevusread.blogspot.com/2019/...

[Kavita Jhala · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I loved:

- Small but packs a punch
- Good fonts
- Backed by historical details
- Colorful illustrations
- Simple recipes

The only disadvantage for me is that certain ingredients are not easily available in India, especially in non-metro cities

Overall, a great read!

[dunkdaft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not an avid drinker I am (and actually, I am living in a state where alcohol is prohibited, alas), but whenever I got a chance to visit bars or lounges, the menu always confused me. Especially, the exotic named cocktails, which I would surely want to try, but won't find a way to identify what goes in the glass. Oh, what an enlightenment this book is, in that sense. 

So, here I am talking about 'Around the world in 80 cocktails' by Chad Parkhill. When I saw snippet shared by Jaico, I was impressed immediately by the cover design. The gorgeous illustration by Alice Oehr. I didn't know the whole book is illustrated, until I read about it. And that couldn't hold my excitement. And it was worth indeed. The book is absolutely beautiful on each page, even the 'index' and 'further reading' sections are not left out. Eye pleasing at each page!

To be frank, i know nothing about preparing the cocktails, nor don't know a thing about what all goes in. But yes, somewhere inside me is a little chef who often lays hands on all things gastronomic. So, this is a good chance to be famous whenever I am around my cousins at those little little house parties. Chad Parkhill's style of starting each chapter with historical tales for each cocktail in question-makes it more immersive and interesting. From outrageous names like Bamboo, between the sheets and even 'Screaming orgasms' to interesting serving styles like serving in a skull, serving in a bath tub with rubber duckie and even in a blood bag in a kidney dish. The anecdotes keep you interested.

For the sheer beauty of one page and the information and the fantastic recipes on the other - this is a book for everyone who are into illustrated books or even just a person who knows how to be in a good spirit. Pun intended.

[Wanderingg__soul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because of its cover and intriguing title. This is probably my first cookery book and I absolutely loved it.

I love cooking and recently have been working on my skills. Though I do not like to experiment much with my food, I do love trying out new drinks be it cocktail or mocktails. And this book is a perfect guide to 80 different cocktails from different parts of the world.

Each chapter contains a different cocktail, the history of it, some basic and interesting facts about it and the recipe for the cocktail. The artwork and illustrations are absolutely beautiful and make it more interesting read.

If you love trying out new drinks or want to experiment with them at home, this book is a must read:)

Definitely recommended!

[Lance Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many of the cocktails this book covers, the whole is better than the sum of its parts. I sat down and read the book cover to cover (it only takes a day) and didn't regret it. Each entry is well done with a gorgeous illustration, easy to follow recipe, and interesting backstory. The standalone nature of each entry makes this book perfect to flip through, for inspiration or entertainment. Taken together though, a narrative begins to emerge about the history of cocktails and how cocktail culture has emerged as a global phenomenon. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in drinks.

[Dan McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in my Around the World in 80 Things list!

I wasn't sure if this would be organized like the other Things books - by geography - or like a bar book - alphabetically - before I opened it up, but it ended up alphabetically.

Parkhill outlines 80 cocktails, both historic and new, that are connected to specific cities around the world. Each has a beautiful illustration, a recipe, and a one page history outlining the cocktails origins, signature liquor, and historic variations.

I found a lot of good drink recipes that use a lot of the alcohols already in our liquor cabinet! Might have to buy this one for my own collection!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confession: I bought this entirely for the illustrations that go along with each drink. They are absolutely beautiful and deserving of hanging on my wall. The drinks--for the most part--seem easy enough to make and come with short stories that tell the origin of the drink. This is one that would make a lovely edition to any bartender's guides.

[Pooja Menon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up this little gem for my husband since he loves to mix drinks for parties. Packed with drinks & flavors from around the world, with fun names like “Banana Dynasty,” “Fish House Punch,” “Green Swizzle,” “Japanese Slipper,” and more, this pint-sized book packs quite the punch. Contains gorgeous illustrations, fun facts, and recipes; totally worth your wallet!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous book! Really, beautiful illustrations throughout. A diverse group of cocktail recipes with drink history included. I wish I had known about these drinks in my earlier days of travel so I could have ordered them!

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and informative with a wide variety of cocktails both geographically and ingredientally (which is totally a real word, no need to look it up). The illustrations are beautiful and are half the fun of the book; they definitely give you an idea of the drink's character beyond the recipe.

[Camilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each illustration and cocktail write-up is fantastic - well-researched and well-written. And the illustrations would be great posters. I would never tear up a book, but I could see these all framed and hung up in a home bar!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little read and a great little cocktail book. I loved the stories and I learned about a lot of potent potables that I had never heard of.

The research and writing is wonderful and, again, very readable.

[Chaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cocktail books, and this is my absolute favorite.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

another recipe book with ingredients I don't have. only one caught my eye, the painkiller. it didn't sound like the one at Cheddar's restaurant, :(

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was everything I'd hoped it would be! Fun cocktail recipes, fantastic pictures, and tons of fascinating historical info!