The Book of Cocktails [Paperback]

Jenny Ridgwell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Book of... | Publication Date: September 1, 1986

A superb guide that shows how to prepare and serve refreshing and imaginative cocktails with flair as it provides over 100 creative international favorites. Full-color illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HP Trade (September 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895864835
• ISBN-13: 978-0895864833
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,859,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photographs and imaginative drinks, January 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Book of Cocktails (Paperback)

This book offers A to Z recipes on a host of our favorite drinks as well as the exotic. It also offers tips on stocking the home bar, tools of the trade, possible appetizers and recommendations on glassware. Each recipe included a photograph. I truly enjoyed this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction., April 14, 2003

By 

Themis-Athena (from somewhere between California and Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Cocktails (Paperback)

In its roughly 50 parts, all written by experienced cooks and cook book writers, HP Books' "The Book of ... Cooking" series takes you to the cuisines of various regions of the U.S. and around the world; all in easy to follow, well-explained recipes.

This installment, the Book of Cocktails, starts with a brief introduction into the basics of mixing cocktails, the contents of a well-assorted liquor cabinet, and the necessary equipment and glasses, followed by an assortment of garnishes, frostings, toppings and accompaniments and an overview of the main uses of ice in a cocktail. It then presents suggestions for all major types of cocktails, from gin based drinks to non-alcoholic and other mixed drinks. Special chapters are dedicated to whiskey, vodka, rum, brandy, wine and champagne based drinks. Classics such as Bloody Mary, Bourbon Mint Julep, champagne cocktail, Cuba Libre (or more politically correct, "Rum and Coke"), Daiquiris, Egg Nogg, John (or Tom) Collins, Kir Royale, Mai Tai, dry and sweet Manhattan and Martini, Margarita, Pina Colada, Planter's Punch, Rob Roy, Sangria, Screwdriver, Shirley Temple, Singapore Sling, Tequila Sunrise, Tia Maria and Whiskey Sour appear next to unique cocktails such as "Boo Boo's Special" (angostura bitter and tropical fruit juices), "Gold Passion" (passionfruit and white rum spirit, vodka, and pineapple juice), "Moscow Mule" (vodka, lemon juice and ginger beer), "Ruby Shy" (coconut and white rum spirit, blackcurrant cordial and lemonade), and "Strawberry Dawn" (gin, coconut cream and strawberries). The book ends with a brief glossary of the most frequent cocktail ingredients.

From almond liqueur to Yoghurt Fizz and Zombie, this collection of recipes, while not all-encompassing (conspicuously absent is last year's party king, the Cosmo), is a great introduction to the endless possibilities of mixing drinks, both with and without alcohol.

Also recommended:
Around the World Cookbook
Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home: Fast and Easy Recipes for Any Day
Sundays at Moosewood Restaurant: Ethnic and Regional Recipes from the Cooks at the Legendary Restaurant (Cookery)
Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian: More Than 650 Meatless Recipes from Around the World
On Cooking: A Textbook of Culinary Fundamentals (4th Edition) Textbook only
Joy of Cooking: 75th Anniversary Edition - 2006