The Ultimate Bar Book: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Cocktails (Cocktail Book, Bartender Book, Mixology Book, Mixed Drinks Recipe Book)

I was going to send back simply because the print is small, but it is such a good book for information and so many cocktail recipes that I have decided need to keep it.

After setting up a home bar, I needed a reliable resource for drink recipes. Everything else was rather light on the overall coverage or just very restricted to one type of liquor or another and what I needed was more a standard reference for (almost) everything. True to its title, there are 1,000+ recipes in this, and it's organized in an easy to find manner. Moreover, there are two indexes: One accounts for the drink recipes by drink, the other is organized by major liquor ingredient (say, Bourbon), so finding what I might like to make is simple and quick. There is occasional background on liquor or drink types at the beginning of sections, but unlike other books it doesn't dwell on the history lessons and focuses more on "what will you need", "how to choose", "what should be in my standard bar stock", and other topics like that. The focus is more on providing the ready-reference and necessary background and taking you right into getting the ingredients, measurements, and activities aligned. I wanted just one book that would serve the purpose of "how do I make..." and this for me was it. I'd highly recommend this if that's also your goal in finding that single reference guide. My only complaint is that the actual book is on the small side with a lot of information in smaller type. Keep that in mind and for those needing reading glasses, break those out to review this one.

I love this book. I wanted to get into mixology, but I knew very little about not only cocktails, but also the difference in some drinks/alcohols and a bunch of other stuff that I didn't even realize I didn't know until reading this book. It has sections that talk about what kind of tools/utensils are needed or recommended, recommendations for small home bars or even full bars, and a whole chapter on what kind of glassware is used for different drinks (which I didn't even know was necessarily a thing). Then it discusses how each type of alcohol is made, a little history to it, details on variations of it, and how its predominantly used. Then of course it has a TON of mixes, cocktails, and so on. Once I finally got a grasp on the topics discussed in the book, I eventually switched over to a Bar app for my mixes/cocktails. Personally I use "My Bar", because I can select all the ingredients I have in my home bar, and then it populates a list of cocktails I can make with the ingredients I have. Also, if there's a drink I don't have the ingredients to, it will tell me what I'm missing and then let me add it to a shopping list to pick up at a later time. It even allows for custom drinks or variations to popular drinks. Of course I wouldn't have any idea on all the ingredients, glassware, mixes, and alcohols if it weren't for this book though.

Yep, microprint. The book puts a hotel bible to shame size-wise. It is positively TINY. I don't wear glasses and still need a magnifying glass to read some parts due to dark font on a dark page. That's my only gripe: they need to print this book about 15% bigger. When the author says "comprehensive" they are not kidding. From what you need in a dead-basic bar to mixology, glasses, tools, naming a drink, making syrups... everything is here in tiny tiny print. Likely the best one-stop bar book you'll ever need. The index pulls double-duty: you can look up drinks by name, or go a bit further back and look them up by spirit/liqueur. Remember though, you can sub certain liqueurs for others like Cointreau/Triple Sec so look em up both ways (and adjust the Simple; Triple Sec is sweeter than Cointreau.) Happy to recommend to anyone who wants to learn about bars or needing a good generic bar reference!

Great book. Have yet to come across a drink that this book doesn't have a recipe for. I reference the recipes in here all the time. Would highly recommend for anyone who enjoys making cocktails

I’m starting to get more into bartending and saw the establishment I work at have this book behind the bar. I took a peek and I loved the idea of this little piece of inspirational work. It makes bartending more than just drinking. It goes into depth about how to drink and taste certain spirits, and ways to make all kinds of drinks from the array of spirits. It shows much of an art bartending is.

I bought this book with three other "Mixology" and "Home Bartender" style books. This one is easily the best of the bunch. It explains the tools, what they do, and which one you need to get started. It goes into detail on the bare bones essentials to start mixing, and what you need if you want to expand into a moderate and even a fully stocked bar. The book breaks down each alcohol and explains the history, labeling (so you know what to look for), and what glass to serve each drinks in. It even gives tips on garnishing, and explains the terminology. Aside from the astonishing detail and information, the book is weighty, but reasonably so given its size and appears to be of great quality. I've seen other comments mention receiving damaged and/or sticky books, mine arrived clean and unscathed. All in all, this is a great starting book that will guide you through being a beginner, and continue to aid you as your mixing skills progress to Advanced.

Tons of cocktail recipes, easy to read. Would make a nice gift.

Perfect as an all round bar book. Introduces basic and advanced equipments, techniques and terminology. Informative sections regarding each spirit. Even a section about organising parties and mixing drinks for groups. And 100s of recipes organised by type of spirit. All of that comes in a cute hardbound handy book. What more could you ask for.

写真は一切載っていません。カクテルの作り方をベースの酒で分類し、羅列した辞典のようなものです。 日本のものではないので、日本では有名でも外国ではあまり馴染みのないものはほとんど載っていません。 その代わり珍しいカクテルがいくつも紹介されており、若干日本人の舌には合いにくいかもしれませんが、とても面白いです。 ハードカバーで開きやすく読みやすいので、英語が苦手な方以外は持っていると何かと重宝するでしょう。 また、前半1/3くらいにバー用品の選び方やシェイクの技法等など、簡単ですがある程度解説してあります。 ちなみに紙質は海外によくあるわら半紙のような安っぽいものではなく、結構な厚みのある上質なものに、4色刷り？くらいで印刷されています。

For whoever wants to learn about spirits it's a great book many information and good recipes

This book is fantastic as a guide for any home bartender, casual or professional drinker, or as a conversation piece. It can be used as a reference for any popular drink, has guides on how to set up the perfect bar, from glassware, to bitters and beyond. The book is sturdy and has simple yet well drawn illustrations. Very easy to follow along with a great flow. I especially enjoy how the most well known and common cocktails are given their own special treatment with a unique "bio" page. Great read, and great purchase.

Ce livre est au barman ce que la Bible est au curé. Il contient tout : une partie introductive contenant un lexique, pour expliquer à l'amateur comment servir telle boisson, quel verre utiliser, quand utiliser de la glace, quand servir sec, quels alcools vont bien ensemble, lesquels il faut éviter... Vraiment très bien fait. S'ensuit une partie impressionnante, énormément de recettes différentes, avec des conseils de préparation. Le livre ne manque pas de dire quand il existe une variante de tel cocktail, et comment la préparer. Finalement, la dernière partie est un classement alphabétique de tout ce que le livre contient, pour tout retrouver facilement. Niveau d'anglais requis pour lire le livre : basique. Il suffit de comprendre la grammaire de base. Le jargon est expliqué dans la partie introductive, et en cas de terme incompris, Google Translate et/ou Google Images sont largement suffisants ! 5/5. Je recommande.