Sips & Apps is a fun cocktail and appetizer book from Kathy Casey. Ms. Casey is a trained chef who loves her cocktails. She consults on food, cocktails and pairing for many multinational companies and is the host of Liquid Kitchen on Small Screen Networks. Her training as a chef and love of cocktails shine through in this innovative work.
In Sips & Apps, Ms. Casey starts out with the drinks and divides them into … Read more
If you are always looking for the perfect drink for any occasion, then this little book is the one for you. In The Perfect Drink For Every Occasion, the author will help you find drinks to help with the problems in your life, drinks that will impress a myriad of people and drinks for major life events. I was particularly fond of the categories entitled Marriage, Second Marriage and Third Marriage and Up. For the … Read more
Tony Abou-Ganim, one of America’s elder statesmen of mixology, recently released Vodka Distilled: The Modern Mixologist on Vodka and Vodka Cocktails, a masterpiece on the subject of Vodka. Vodka is America’s most consumed spirit but is largely on the outs with the cocktail crowd. Mr. Abou-Ganim thinks that this is an unfortunate state of affairs, and I happen to agree with him. The same folks that might be guilty of sneering at the Cosmo or … Read more
Natalie Bovis, known as the Liquid Muse, brings us a cocktail book brimming with goodness from gardens and fruit trees in Edible Cocktails. In her tome on drinking your fruits and veggies, Ms. Bovis explores the use of wine, syrups, jams, purees and vinegar as ingredients in the ever burgeoning repertoire of cocktails recipes. If that weren’t enough, Ms. Bovis teaches you how to use meat, dairy and eggs in your drinks too! And don’t … Read more
It’s hard to believe the New Year has started. All of the fun of November and December have been replaced with the self-loathing and sense of deprivation that January brings. After over-indulging in the Old Year, you want to start the New Year afresh. Does this require a cleanse or abstaining from fat, sugar and booze? Seriously, who wants to give up their booze? Not me. But, if you are like most of the girls … Read more
This has to be one of the most interesting cocktail books that I have seen in awhile. A man that the New York Times has dubbed the “Sorcerer of Shaken and Stirred”, Alex Ott brings us the ying and yang of cocktails. To balance the affect of alcohol, Mr. Ott has paired with it with a variety of tinctures, juices and spices. I guess this isn’t surprising given Mr. Ott’s background as a chemist, alchemist, … Read more
We can hardly believe that New Year’s Eve is around the corner! If you are looking for great cocktail recipes and finger food, then this is the book for you. The New Old Bar is the latest book from Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith of the Hearty Boys (winners of the first Next Food Network Star) out of one of my favorite cities – Chicago! And, the recipes have Chicago written all over them. How … Read more
The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks is a modern classic. First published in 1948, it is probably more popular today that it was when the book was initially released. The cocktail crowd discovered this book a few years ago and fiercely battled for the limited number of used editions that would pop up on eBay, Amazon or in used bookstores. While not quite as expensive as the original Jerry Thomas books (oh, I kick myself … Read more
Whether you have mastered the DIY cocktail and are looking for your next challenge or need a unique, homemade gift for that hard-to-buy-for person, this book will keep you busy and entertained for months! The Seasonal Cocktail Companion by Seattle bartender and self-described “cocktail nerd” Maggie Savarino is aptly-described as “Arts and Crafts…with booze!”
This is not just another cocktail book. You probably already have half a dozen of those sitting on your shelf. This … Read more
The holidays are upon us and almost over. We have come up with lists of wine, booze and books to buy friends and foes for the holidays. In you are in need of last minute gifts, check out our recommendations.
When money is no object and your friend has it all, check out the wines on Wine Lists To Make Santa Cry.
If you want a great wine but don’t want to break the … Read more