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I'm Just Here for the Drinks: A Guide to Spirits, Drinking and More Than 100 Extraordinary Cocktails
Sother Teague, one of New York’s most knowledgeable bartenders and Wine Enthusiast's Mixologist of the Year (2017), presents a brief history of both classic and lesser-known spirits with modern-day wit and old-school bar wisdom, accompanied by easy-to-mix drink recipes you’ll soon commit to memory.
Better than bellying up to some of the world’s best bars with a veteran bartender, this series of essays and conversations on all things alcohol aims to reveal how the joy of drinking changed both history and culture?and will likely inspire you to make a little history of your own. After all, no retelling of a great caper or revolutionary event ever started with the phrase, “So a bunch of guys are all eating salad…”.
This hardcover collection of timeless tips, insight from industry pros and 100+ recipes is more than just a cocktail book: It’s a manifesto for living a more spirited life.
Better than bellying up to some of the world’s best bars with a veteran bartender, this series of essays and conversations on all things alcohol aims to reveal how the joy of drinking changed both history and culture?and will likely inspire you to make a little history of your own. After all, no retelling of a great caper or revolutionary event ever started with the phrase, “So a bunch of guys are all eating salad…”.
This hardcover collection of timeless tips, insight from industry pros and 100+ recipes is more than just a cocktail book: It’s a manifesto for living a more spirited life.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published August 28, 2018
17 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 3, 2018
My bookshelves are lined with cocktail books and when guests come over, they inevitably ask something like, “what is one cocktail book that you would recommend to someone?” With all those books lining my shelves I can now answer unequivocally, “I’m Just Here for the Drinks,” by Sother Teague.
What I love about Teague’s writing is that it flows like a conversation. As if you encountered him at a party or at his bar and asked him a question about a spirit or an ingredient. He explains it in a way that isn't too professorial or feeling like you are being talked down to. It flows effortlessly and organically as if you are having a conversation. Want to understand the different gin styles in the market or the different classifications of Cognac and Armagnac? Teague effortlessly explains the complexities in simple to understand language.
Each section is well organized and, as mentioned, easy to read and understand. The section on Amaro, though, is alone worth alone purchasing this book. This category is often overlooked and not explained to the cocktail consumer. Here, Teague is in his element, brilliantly talking about the different styles and his approach to the many amari in the marketplace. You will come away from this section feeling a heck of a lot less intimidated by the many amari lining liquor store shelves these days.
Thanks to this fantastic book, I am going to make some lemon oleo saccharum tonight (easy recipe given) and use it to make the “Bain’s Existence” cocktail (bourbon, apricot liqueur, oleo, and Peychauds). It sounds absolutely delicious, but so does every cocktail recipe in here. When a book inspires you to create, you know it’s a darn good cocktail book.
To honor the fact that Sother wrote this whole book on his iPhone (seriously), I decided to type this review on mine. After typing this short review I can say, with much admiration, what an incredible feat he has accomplished.
What I love about Teague’s writing is that it flows like a conversation. As if you encountered him at a party or at his bar and asked him a question about a spirit or an ingredient. He explains it in a way that isn't too professorial or feeling like you are being talked down to. It flows effortlessly and organically as if you are having a conversation. Want to understand the different gin styles in the market or the different classifications of Cognac and Armagnac? Teague effortlessly explains the complexities in simple to understand language.
Each section is well organized and, as mentioned, easy to read and understand. The section on Amaro, though, is alone worth alone purchasing this book. This category is often overlooked and not explained to the cocktail consumer. Here, Teague is in his element, brilliantly talking about the different styles and his approach to the many amari in the marketplace. You will come away from this section feeling a heck of a lot less intimidated by the many amari lining liquor store shelves these days.
Thanks to this fantastic book, I am going to make some lemon oleo saccharum tonight (easy recipe given) and use it to make the “Bain’s Existence” cocktail (bourbon, apricot liqueur, oleo, and Peychauds). It sounds absolutely delicious, but so does every cocktail recipe in here. When a book inspires you to create, you know it’s a darn good cocktail book.
To honor the fact that Sother wrote this whole book on his iPhone (seriously), I decided to type this review on mine. After typing this short review I can say, with much admiration, what an incredible feat he has accomplished.
July 28, 2019
Dear god this book is amazing! Looking for a cocktail recipe book? Check. Looking for a history lesson? Check. Looking for ideas/inspirations/instructions? Check. This book has it all in a format that incredibly accessible and dry witted. I have been going to Sother’s bar for years and this book brings it all together.
October 28, 2018
Excellent, informative, and filled with instructions for improving your mixology skills. Told in a friendly, relaxed manor that makes mixology non-intimidating
February 5, 2022
I loved this book and will return to it for years to come for recipes and inspiration. While I have never made it to AYA, I do follow Smother Teague on Instagram and was super excited to read his book. His humor had me laughing straight from the introduction and I was so inspired after reading the whole book. I have so many recipes bookmarked and can't wait to pick up some new bottles to try things out for myself. I will say while the information, history and instructions could be for the cocktail novice, there are a lot of obscure spirits in some of the cocktails, so this might not be for everyone. I am however glad to have found another fan of Jager for cocktails and Kümmel!
September 1, 2025
It reads like a biography disguised as a recipe book, with the added bonus of history lessons throughout. The tone is straightforward but kind, and the recipes I tried were always interesting, if not also suited to my palette. Over time I'd like to try each of the recipes to really develop my tastes, which this book acts as a guide to.
For those who enjoy a sweet cocktail, be warned: this guy hates juice and loves bitter flavors!
For those who enjoy a sweet cocktail, be warned: this guy hates juice and loves bitter flavors!
May 2, 2020
I am not entirely sure what I expected—likely, a gorgeous cover with some decent enough cocktail recipes. Instead, it’s a marvelous book overflowing with the history and science behind the different liquors, peppered with anecdotes of his life and experiences, full of flavor and absolutely beautiful photography. What a delight.
November 9, 2021
I am not sure why this book has such good reviews. While I’m sure Sother Teague is a wonderful person and an incredibly talented bartender — that’s at least very clear from the book — I didn’t feel like he clarified to himself what audience he would like the book to be for. He also jumped around topics all the time and I found it very confusing and tedious to read.
February 26, 2022
Increíble libro. Me gustó demasiado, no solo es extremadamente informativo y entretenido, si no que se siente como una plática muy interesante con un gran amigo. Altamente recomiendo si tienes interés por saber algo de la historia de las bebidas alcohólicas y sobre cómo preparar cócteles. Creo que algunas recetas serán un poco difíciles de lograr en México, pero la mayoría se pueden lograr.
January 22, 2022
For a new drinker to cocktails, this book was not only informative on the various alcohols and bitters but filled with history and recipes. I have more bookmarks than time to make all of the various cocktails.
January 25, 2022
Este libro me provoca una profunda envidia al mencionar amari, licores y demás spirits y bitters que nunca podré conseguir y que solo puedo imaginar porque tampoco nunca iré a Nueva York a visitar y poder conocer a Sother y Amor Y Amargo.
Y bueno.
4.6/5
Y bueno.
4.6/5
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March 28, 2021I have marked about dozen cocktails to make. And I’ve made two so far that are both good.
May 28, 2022
Great book for any mixologists, aspiring or otherwise!
November 14, 2022
liked the book, but felt that some recipes require very specific liquors that were impossible to find in my country
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews