Customer Reviews

The Art of the Bar: Cocktails Inspired by the Classics

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A must have for home bartenders that want to maintain a consummate menu in their bar. The book discusses unique ingredients, their uses, and even gives the recipes for various drinks served at the Absinthe Brasserie and Bar in San Francisco.

Why use Maraschino cherries in your bar when you can make homemade Brandied Cherries? Need to sweeten things up a little there are multiple syrups such as the simple syrup or even a balsamic syrup.

Don't be mistaken, this is neither a long read or an in-depth study of Mixology. At the same time, it is not just a recipe book without a soul. The gentlemen that wrote the book provided a perfect balance of ingredients to come up with a cocktail that they have proudly named "The Art of the Bar".

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Very professional mixologists who have an honest and organic approach to cocktails. There is a real discussion of the principals of ingredients and blending. IMHO this is as enjoyable in its own way as Degroff's "The Craft of the Cocktail."

The San Francisco restaurant Absinthe is revered for its bartenders, and here we get a sneak peak into the way their minds work. It's a book that includes some philosophy, a lot of recipes, and even more opinions on things that really make a difference. Like ice, or glassware.

We have a few cocktail books we swear by, including Dale DeGroff's classic Craft of the Cocktail. While there are some overlapping recipes and so forth, this book is a must-have for us. We find the recipes easy to use and tempting, and the text inspirational and educational.

Makes us miss San Francisco a lot, but very glad we can have little Absinthe bar time right in our own home.

With over 18 years of drinking experience, I can say that the author of The Art of the Bar, Jeff Hollinger is definitely no stranger to spirits!

This book is well written with nice illustrations and covers many "inside secrets" to make that perfect drink.

I can recommend anyone who is serious about their drink to pick up a copy of this book.

We were given this book by friends at Absinthe and then bought it for a good friend as a birthday gift. We've had a great time making the drinks, learning the history. I'm now trying to figure out who to give it to next!

this is just fun
it's like your talking with your favorite bartender and learning about different/hard-to-find liquors and different cocktails

no, it's not an intellectual book by any means, which is why i got it
it's one of those things you pick up every once and a while and think, 'oh, interesting' after reading a short passage about an obscure liquor

The guys from Absinthe and Comstock Saloon in SF, include insight that inspire a new era of cocktail enthusiasts. This is not a book for the chocolate martini and lemon drop crowd who stick to the grey goose, when in doubt or otherwise. This is a guide for the old soul with a passion for blending classic tradition and cutting edge technique.

If you like classic cocktails and are looking for something new, like the 201 of cocktails. This book provides an entertaining read, fantastic photographs and some great recipes.

...bar none. Pardon the pun, but this truly is the best A-Z cocktail recipe book I have ever owned. As a previous resident of San Francisco, I was a frequent visitor to Absinthe when in need of a great cocktail, and I was thrilled to see a recipe book on my last visit there. From excellent recipes to mastering garnishes (like an incredible recipe for brandied cherries that makes a great Manhattan perfect) to understanding the concept of "slapping the basil", this is a comprehensive and entertaining read. Check out the section about how to get over a hangover if you want a laugh. Cheers!

When a close friend took us to Absinthe on our last visit to San Francisco we had no idea what a wonderful treat awaited us. Knowing nothing about the bar, the staff, or this book we ordered a vodka tonic! It was hard not to be stunned by the authors of this amazing and beautifully illustrated book as they mixed, stirred and shook their way around a great bar and restaurant. They mixed cocktails drinks with panache, style and class. They were memorizing!

As is this book; which I have already purchased as a gift for several friends. It contains solid facts and information on cocktail essentials; from building your liquor collection to picking the right glasses and equipment. It it full of both classic and original recipes, together with ideas for how to develop your own original cocktail. A coffee table book that should be on every bar!

If you know someone who really enjoys a sophisticated and elegant bar and already has both sweet and dry vermouth in their collection of liquor - buy it for them immediately.