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Hemingway & Bailey's Bartending Guide to Great American Writers
In this entertaining homage to the golden age of the cocktail, illustrator Edward Hemingway and writer Mark Bailey present the best (and thirstiest) American writers, their favorite cocktails, true stories of their saucy escapades, and intoxicating excerpts from their literary works. It’s the perfect blend of classic cocktail recipes, literary history, and tales of the good old days of extravagant Martini lunches and delicious excess.
When Algonquin Round Table legend Robert Benchley was asked if he knew that drinking was a slow death, Benchley took a sip of his cocktail and replied, “So who’s in a hurry?” Hunter S. Thompson took Muhammad Ali’s health tip to eat grapefruit every day; he just added liquor to the mix. Invited to a “come as you are” party, F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, arrived in their pajamas ready for their cocktail of choice: a Gin Rickey.
Forty-three classic American writers, forty-three authentic cocktail recipes, forty-three telling anecdotes about the high life, and forty-three samples of the best writing in literature –Hemingway & Bailey’s Bartending Guide to Great American Writers delivers straight-up fun.
97 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2006
3 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 13, 2019
This was a riot.
First you are presented with a cartoon and quote of a famous author (and a few I hadn’t even heard of, so add that to my already-insane-TBR pile), then a few paragraphs detailing some of their wilder drunker excursions, then a drink recipe that was either the author’s favorite, or featured in their book, and then an excerpt from one of their writings that’s specifically about drinking- just so you know, these people really understood drinking.
It was a lot of fun. I bookmarked at least 6 recipes to try (a French 75 being the top of that list), added a few books I wanted to read, and thoroughly enjoyed my time in this book.
((Update three years later- I still drink French 75's and 77's and they're my favorite now.))
First you are presented with a cartoon and quote of a famous author (and a few I hadn’t even heard of, so add that to my already-insane-TBR pile), then a few paragraphs detailing some of their wilder drunker excursions, then a drink recipe that was either the author’s favorite, or featured in their book, and then an excerpt from one of their writings that’s specifically about drinking- just so you know, these people really understood drinking.
It was a lot of fun. I bookmarked at least 6 recipes to try (a French 75 being the top of that list), added a few books I wanted to read, and thoroughly enjoyed my time in this book.
((Update three years later- I still drink French 75's and 77's and they're my favorite now.))
March 15, 2009
This was a real short book and one that now has a permanent position in my home. We all know that some of the best writers were absolute drunks. Bukowski, Steinbeck, Hemingway. This book shares a little backstory of those writers along with drink recipes for their preferred adult beverage.
Bukowski favored a Boilermaker, which I'll admit to not knowing what that is. It turns out that it's something I really doubt that I would drink. It's a shot of whiskey with beer as a chaser OR a shot of whiskey dropped into a mug of beer. That would fell my sorry butt in a heartbeat. Although I do appreciate my whiskey.
Truman Capote imbibed in Screwdrivers, which I actually have the ingredients for and it sounds mighty good.
Alot of the writers were gin folks. That might be a staple that I need to add to my small bar. Although I'm usually a rum or whiskey girl, I'm willing to expand my horizons.
Obviously, I don't encourage the type of drinking that these writers did. But I see nothing wrong with partaking every now and again with friends or as a nightcap.
Enjoy!
Bukowski favored a Boilermaker, which I'll admit to not knowing what that is. It turns out that it's something I really doubt that I would drink. It's a shot of whiskey with beer as a chaser OR a shot of whiskey dropped into a mug of beer. That would fell my sorry butt in a heartbeat. Although I do appreciate my whiskey.
Truman Capote imbibed in Screwdrivers, which I actually have the ingredients for and it sounds mighty good.
Alot of the writers were gin folks. That might be a staple that I need to add to my small bar. Although I'm usually a rum or whiskey girl, I'm willing to expand my horizons.
Obviously, I don't encourage the type of drinking that these writers did. But I see nothing wrong with partaking every now and again with friends or as a nightcap.
Enjoy!
January 23, 2010
Fun little book about hard drinking writers with recipes for their favorite cocktails. Nothing new here, but I did start feeling lame for being so sober.
July 17, 2011
a must read for anyone who loves booze and books!
November 5, 2013
What a fun little book. Lots of great anecdotes about some classic American authors getting up to considerable trouble.
August 12, 2013
Writing is the occupation that drives more people to drink than any other, except for the law. This short book is a summary of quotations from famous authors about worshiping at the alter of Bacchus, along with recipes for some of their favorite concoctions. Not much of substance, but a great list of sayings - choose your own favorite.
"Drinking makes such fools of people, and people are such fools to begin with, that it's like compounding a felony."
- Robert Benchley
"You never start our in life with the intention of becoming a bankrupt or an alcoholic."
- Raymond Carver
"I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on principle."
- Raymond Chandler
"I love parties excessively. That's the reason I don't go to them."
- John Cheever
"First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you."
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
"Three times I have been mistaken for a Prohibition agent, but I never had any trouble clearing myself."
- Dashiell Hammett
"What's the use of winning the Nobel Prize if it doesn't even get you into speakeasies?"
- Sinclair Lewis
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me."
- Hunter S. Thompson
Enjoy!
"Drinking makes such fools of people, and people are such fools to begin with, that it's like compounding a felony."
- Robert Benchley
"You never start our in life with the intention of becoming a bankrupt or an alcoholic."
- Raymond Carver
"I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on principle."
- Raymond Chandler
"I love parties excessively. That's the reason I don't go to them."
- John Cheever
"First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you."
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
"Three times I have been mistaken for a Prohibition agent, but I never had any trouble clearing myself."
- Dashiell Hammett
"What's the use of winning the Nobel Prize if it doesn't even get you into speakeasies?"
- Sinclair Lewis
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me."
- Hunter S. Thompson
Enjoy!
March 20, 2017
I'm grateful this book wasn't published during my early twenties...I'd probably need a new liver.
Great humor, excellent quotes by a bevy of hard-drinking , hard-living authors.
Favorites include Hunter S. Thompson's Greyhound -which turned into near binge level status when a dear friend treated me to an endless supply of organic grapefruit she'd grown with love.
You can't go wrong with the Jack Kerouac Margarita for campfire story imbibed uninhibited revelations.
When I'm feeling down and dirty, needing to take my (or someone else's ) demons out for exorcise:
Bukowski Boilermaker, try with Bird Dog peach whiskey. Make mine a double.
Last but always first in my world: Hemingway.
His sweet Mojito is other world yum. Light rum is key-Which you can now possess under the Papa Pilar brand.
Get your frosty highball glass out now.
Fresh mint- muddle like you mean it!
Blanco rum, lime juice , simple sugar, lime wedge to dress it up.
I can taste the sweetness on Hem's lips with each swallow. And remember the wise words of Hemingway,
"A man does not exist until he is drunk"
Great humor, excellent quotes by a bevy of hard-drinking , hard-living authors.
Favorites include Hunter S. Thompson's Greyhound -which turned into near binge level status when a dear friend treated me to an endless supply of organic grapefruit she'd grown with love.
You can't go wrong with the Jack Kerouac Margarita for campfire story imbibed uninhibited revelations.
When I'm feeling down and dirty, needing to take my (or someone else's ) demons out for exorcise:
Bukowski Boilermaker, try with Bird Dog peach whiskey. Make mine a double.
Last but always first in my world: Hemingway.
His sweet Mojito is other world yum. Light rum is key-Which you can now possess under the Papa Pilar brand.
Get your frosty highball glass out now.
Fresh mint- muddle like you mean it!
Blanco rum, lime juice , simple sugar, lime wedge to dress it up.
I can taste the sweetness on Hem's lips with each swallow. And remember the wise words of Hemingway,
"A man does not exist until he is drunk"
August 8, 2012
Writers like to drink… a lot. I like to read funny stories about what they did or said while drinking, because writers tend to be quite witty. This book fills that desire perfectly. Each author chosen has a two-page spread detailing an incident where they were drinking, a recipe for their drink of choice (or one often associated with them), a line or two about drinking from one of their books
Kerouac, Benchley, Fitzgerald and, of course, Hemingway, all found a place in the book, along with dozens of others. It’s a quick read, but a fun one. I also loved seeing some of the unique drink recipes included. While watching the Oscars, I mixed a few of the cocktails from the books. My favorites were the French 75 and the Tom Collins. I’m a gin girl and apparently many writers were gin drinkers too.
Kerouac, Benchley, Fitzgerald and, of course, Hemingway, all found a place in the book, along with dozens of others. It’s a quick read, but a fun one. I also loved seeing some of the unique drink recipes included. While watching the Oscars, I mixed a few of the cocktails from the books. My favorites were the French 75 and the Tom Collins. I’m a gin girl and apparently many writers were gin drinkers too.
March 26, 2007
This is a charming collection of famously drunk (and dead, to Norman Mailer's apparent dismay) authors and associated drinks. The recipes are very classic and can be trusted to be true to the drink's original make-up and intent. The introductions and anecdotes for each author are great reads.
My only two complaints are that the drinks seem to sometimes only be loosely connected to the highlighted author and the writing samples are too brief. The excerpts for each writer are well chosen and highlight drinking in the author's works. No doubt Faulkner and Hemingway suffered no shortage of passages from which the editors could select.
My only two complaints are that the drinks seem to sometimes only be loosely connected to the highlighted author and the writing samples are too brief. The excerpts for each writer are well chosen and highlight drinking in the author's works. No doubt Faulkner and Hemingway suffered no shortage of passages from which the editors could select.
May 13, 2024
A fun and interesting way to learn about the drinking habits of famous American authors and how to make their favorite drinks. Forty-three classic American writers and forty-three classic cocktails. I've always wanted to be more like Hemingway, and now I can every time I have a Mojito.
December 11, 2016
Something I wouldn't think I'd enjoy. Funny stories of drunken debauchery. A different look at some of the best authors, poets and play writers. Their world through the bottle or glass of their favorite adult beverage.
August 18, 2017
Muy divertido. Lo mejor del libro, además de las recetas, son las frases geniales sobre el alcohol, indispensables para cualquier borracho letrado. Anécdotas deliciosas e ilustraciones muy simpáticas.
June 29, 2007
A nice quick read, full of drunken writerly anecdotes, drink recipes, and drink related writing.
November 29, 2007
Each entry contains a brief bio, a classic drinking quote, and how to make their drink of choice.
September 4, 2008
Nate gave me this for xmas. Read on an empty stomach and Jim Beam, all day long. Puked in woods that night. A winner.
September 17, 2008
pretty entertaining with mini-bios, excerpts, and drinks of dozens of american authors. sometimes drinks seem randomly assigned though....
November 22, 2010
Very fun, informative, tactile book. I really enjoy it
April 3, 2010
Vale pelas histórias pitorescas e, caso o leitor tenha disposição, pela possibilidade de experimentar todos os drinques do livro.
April 9, 2010
I love this book. Now I sound so much smarter when I order a drink and I feel amongst the greats!
July 5, 2010
The paradox is that alcohol is a depressant and yet it opens the floodgates of the imagination!
August 6, 2016
entertaining little book of famously drunk authors and classic recipes 我不是在寫作 就是在往酒吧的路上 經典標題黨
April 12, 2012
reading this will make you want to stay sober
Read
November 28, 2012I expected something a lot more substantial with this book. Wish I hadn't bought it.
February 17, 2015
An enjoyable romp through the works of great writers as filtered through the lens of their love of spirits.
March 21, 2016
These guys make wonderful books.
September 19, 2020
Raymond Carver, an alcoholic, died at 50. F. Scott Fitzgerald, party animal and stumble-down drunk, died at 44. Truman Capote hopped on and off the wagon repeatedly until he finally died at 59 from liver cancer. Tennessee Williams, an alcoholic, managed to live until age 71 before dying from a cocktail of brandy and downers, possibly choking on a bottle cap, several decades after producing the work that made him famous. William Faulkner, Jack London, John Cheever, Carson McCullers, Edgar Allen Poe, Charles Bukowski, Raymond Chandler, Dorothy Parker, Anne Sexton -- all alcoholics, some with extended stints in sanitariums to dry out -- lived messy lives with messy marriages before dying way too young of diseases that look suspiciously alcohol-related to me. Faulkner, an alcoholic, fell off a horse and died a few days later. He was probably drunk at the time (I actually don't know this for a fact; his grandkids can sue me if I'm wrong.) None of this is mentioned in Hemingway & Bailey's Bartending Guide to Great American Writers, a compendium of the favorite drinks of these famous authors (and many more) with instructions on how to make them. Forty-three writers, 43 cocktails to choose from in this book. Don't feel like a drink? Inspiration accompanies every recipe. "Civilization begins with distillation" (Faulkner) and "A man does not exist until he is drunk" (Hemingway) and "I have a martini and I feel, once more, real." (Sexton) Chandler drank gimlets, Hemingway mojitos, Capote was fond of screwdrivers, Hunter Thompson liked something called a Greyhound. Etc. These writers, being writers, all left written evidence of their favorite cocktails, which Hemingway and Bailey tracked down and collected in this book. The authors plant the notion that you're not merely drinking, no, you're consuming those six Jack Roses to summon the muse who will one day conjure The Grapes of Wrath from your laptop. Maybe. They say writers like to drink. They don't say surgeons like to drink. They should, because they do. Jet pilots are huge drinkers. They don't say that either, which is probably a good thing. Arc welders drink, so do butchers, bakers and candlestick makers. Lawyers, lobbyists and public relations "professionals" drink prodigious amounts of booze. Salesmen? Oh my. Sixth-grade teachers toss them back with the best (as schoolteachers say, "It's 3 O'Clock Somewhere"). I forget where I was going with this. Anyhow, Hemingway & Bailey's Bartending Guide to Great American Writers is a nice enough bartending guide loosely based on the drinking habits of famous American writers. If you're able to suppress the realization that these were very bad habits, you'll enjoy this book as much as I have.
January 7, 2024
During the development of this book, I was lucky enough to have followed the author into a Manhattan pop-up bar and got to meet his bartender/collaborator, and to try some of these drinks. I also got to meet the illustrator. It is an extremely fun book. Every bar in America should have a copy, on a chain to keep it from being lifted.
October 28, 2021
As bebidas, misturadas aos autores e as histórias que eles criaram me deram certo SAUDOSISMO da época que eu bebia, foi por poupo tempo, mas foi uma BELA época. Muita Saudades. De Jack London a Dorothy Parker. Eles entornavam.. Ótima Leitura!!
August 11, 2023
Provides short descriptions of famous American writers, snippets of their work, and a recipe for a cocktail related to the author.
This was a quick fun read. I hate that I kept it on my to-read shelf for so long. Will definitely have to try some of the drinks.
This was a quick fun read. I hate that I kept it on my to-read shelf for so long. Will definitely have to try some of the drinks.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews