American Bar: The Artistry of Mixing Drinks [Hardcover]

Charles Schumann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 1995

An invaluable reference for any bartender or home entertainer, this book is conveniently organized into informative sections that explain how cocktails are made and include important information about their ingredients. For easy use, more than 500 recipes are arranged alphabetically, each cross-referenced in drink categories.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Hardcover: 392 pages
• Publisher: Abbeville Press (October 16, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558598537
• ISBN-13: 978-1558598539
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #251,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A noteworthy collection of cocktail recipes., October 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: American Bar: The Artistry of Mixing Drinks (Hardcover)

The classy maroon cover, and black type on this little volume are quite fitting to the contents that it contains. Charles Schumann has done an execellent job at gathering a very impressive collection of recipes. The recipes are listed in alphabetical order, and with the inclusion of a very comprehensive cross index at the front of the book, it allows you to look up recipes for a variety of different purposes.

Scattered within the recipes in the first half of the book are several of his own design, with the "Fallen Leaves" being one of my personal favorites. The second half of the book contains a great collection of information about different cocktail categories, sprits, liqueurs, as well as a review of mixology tools, terms, and processes in general.

However, I do take issue with several of the recipes he provides. He describes both the Old Fashioned and Sazerac as being filled with water or soda as the final step, neither of which is correct. He also indicates Triple Sec as the proper ingredient for a Sidecar, when it should be Cointreau, and the proportions he provides for this don't result in what I feel are a properly balanced drink.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is my bible, June 20, 2000

By 

Thomas Ridge (London, Great Britain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Bar: The Artistry of Mixing Drinks (Hardcover)

If I wasn't a devouted Christian, Charles Schumann would be my God. This book exudes class, the maroon cover and the black binding make it worth having simply for the pose value. This book is an invaluable fountain of cocktail knowledge, interspersed with Schumann's own advice, for instance with the recipe for Long Island Iced Tea he wryly remarks "I personally never pour vodka and gin together"(funnier in print). If you like cocktails, or simply want to know about them (there is a comprehensive history of varoius alcohols), buy this book.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece in it's kind, November 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: American Bar: The Artistry of Mixing Drinks (Hardcover)

For all those enjoying a good dinner party where cocktails and longdrinks are essential parts, this book gives you a most comprehensive guide in this category. A book giving simply the best of advice and tips in the field of mixing, shaking or blending drinks. Looks great too!