Cocktails in Color: A Spirited Guide to the Art and Joy of Drinkmaking - A Cocktail Book

by Sammi Katz, Olivia McGiff

An artistic cocktail book that is as beautiful as it is practical. By utilizing design and their expertise, Sammi and Olivia have created a vibrant, knowledgeable guide for both seasoned and newbie drinkmakers.  

COCKTAILS IN COLOR celebrates the craft of drinkmaking, from raw ingredients to finished, delightful refreshments. Together, Sammi Katz and Olivia McGiff explore the elements, tastes, and techniques of all things drinks to create an accessible, visually delicious new guide to drinking that gives you the tools to design your own cocktails. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new kid at the bar, COCKTAILS IN COLOR deserves a spot on your bar cart. Each page is fully illustrated with rich inspiring gouache paintings. This book encourages readers to explore a palette of ingredients for their developing palate. 

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Food

192 pages, Hardcover

First published February 7, 2023

Reviews

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only does this cocktail book have lots of great information for beginners, from the differences between the various types of alcohol, recommended bottles, and classic recipes, but the artwork, gouache paintings done by the author's partner Olivia McGiff, is absolutely beautiful. Also included are original cocktail creations by the author, many which looks very appealing (I have yet to try them) and how to make your own custom cocktails. A handy guide as well as a beautiful book to peruse.

Note: I also wrote this review for the Manchester Public Library (CT) Goodreads account.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love drinking. I love learning. I love pretty visuals. This book checks all the boxes. Gorgeously illustrated, wildly informative, and wickedly FUNNY. The foundations for classic cocktails are so clearly laid out. And! Sammi provides delicious recipes of her own creation (again, beautifully illustrated by Olivia). Will be go-to reference guide for many years.

[Haley Stocks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of different spirits and the building blocks for cocktail making

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been looking for a good cocktail book and found it in Cocktails in Color. I read it cover to cover the night I got it. I had said I just wanted recipes for drinks, not stories about them, but it turns out I learned a lot on top of the many easy to follow recipes included for not just cocktails but also syrups, tinctures, and infusions. So happy to have come across it this book!! Also it was really helpful that she included her favorite brands of spirits as it takes a lot of the guesswork out (it sucks when you’re spending $25-$50 on a big bottle of something that may not be good). Also 10/10 art. Highly recommend picking this up!

[CO4x4 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book strikes me as a friend reminiscing about their favorite drinks. The colors are soft and gentle. It's the first "cookbook" that I have not written directly onto the pages. Rather, I use stickies to jot my thoughts. I enjoy the origin stories of the various liquors, desciptions of their tastes, and the back stories and commentaries on the recipes.

[Tricia XYX]

Great art work - not a very good mixology book, just classic recipes most know with nice art.

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has the most fun homework ever!

[Manchester Public Library, CT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only does this cocktail book have lots of great information for beginners, from the differences between the various types of alcohol, recommended bottles, and classic recipes, but the artwork, gouache paintings done by the author's partner Olivia McGiff, is absolutely beautiful. Also included are original cocktail creations by the author, many which looks very appealing (I have yet to try them) and how to make your own custom cocktails. A handy guide as well as a beautiful book to peruse.

Note: This review also appears under my personal Goodreads account.