Spirited: Cocktails from Around the World

by Adrienne Stillman, Philipp Hubert (Designer), Andy Sewell (Photographer)

"A lavish, gift-worthy stunner." - The New York Times "This book might suffice as the only cocktail book a drinker needs." - Epicurious A fully-illustrated, global celebration of classic and cutting-edge cocktails This definitive cocktail recipe book for the home bartender includes 610 cocktail recipes from 6 continents and 60 countries, spanning 500 years. With most cocktails only including three or four ingredients, there is something for novice drink-makers and expert bartenders alike. Drinks range from renowned iconic classics to lesser-known regional specialties to influential bespoke drinks — each reflecting the era, location, or bar that inspired it. In this book you will also learn how to set up your home bar, with advice on bar tools, glassware, syrups, garnishes, and more. Spirited is organized by cocktail style, with notes on country or origin, era of invention, and infographic icons showcase ingredients and low alcohol-by-volume (ABV). Each recipe also includes a short text providing fascinating historial and cultrual information about the drink. Essays are interspersed throughout, with topics ranging from the history of the cocktail, the culture surrounding aperitivo beverages, among others. A comprehensive index by spirit and ingredient is located at the end of the volume. Chapters "Refreshing" beverages, followed by "Sours," "Spirit Forward" drinks, "Tiki and Tropical" combinations, "Coffee and Dessert" beverages, and concluding with delightful "Punches." From the author that brought you the drink-maker travel guide Where Bartenders Drink . Celebrate at home with Spirited !

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Cocktails, Reference, Cooking

432 pages, Hardcover

Published September 30, 2020

Reviews

[Elias Eells · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite cocktail encyclopedia. Both an endlessly useful resource and a beautiful coffee table piece!

[Daphne Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

This works pretty well as a reference book, especially if using the index to find drinks with ingredients you have at home. The book is very well organized, and broken down in to color-coated categories (refreshing, sours, spirit-forward, tiki, dessert, punches). It's very easy to read and has stunning photos. The beginning of the book has some recipes for syrups and cordials used in the recipes.
My issue with this book is that the recipes are extremely basic. The book doesn't list brands, so the taste and balance are completely up to you. The book also has some beginner techniques, but they are in the middle of each section instead of collected at the beginning - which is a little annoying.

In the end, I still think it's an ok book depending on how it's used. Don't expect amazing cocktails from the recipes, they are more of a baseline.

[E G Melby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fond of every cookbook I’ve read from Phaidon. I liked the layout, and the brief history that accompanies each recipe. The sections on techniques, ingredients, and syrups and cordials are worth is alone. Will have to add to my ‘buy’ wishlist (I test drive recipe books via my public library).