Customer Reviews

Jerry Thomas Bartenders Guide 1887 Reprint

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

 

 

I'd give 3 1/3 stars if I could -- pretty much all deduction coming from the fact that the scanning/printing of this edition is rather poor quality. The text and images look fuzzy and print in a gray tone, and some pages (example 108 and 109) have shadows from the scanning process printed in. Still, the text is legible -- and presumably anyone's reasons for buying this book are out of interest in the recipes.

Myself, I'm a fan of old-fashioned cocktails, using simple hard liquors fancied up with spices, sugars and bitters. Brandy Toddy, for example, is brandy, sugar and hot water with nutmeg. Interestingly, all the Mint Julep recipes in this book seem to be brandy-based, rather than using bourbon like nowadays. Anyway, I am happy to have easy access to these old recipe. My father is working as a bartender and got a kick out of the advice the book offers for men of that profession -- always remember to wash your ice before you cut it!

Facts:

This book IS NOT for the weak or the weary!

This book IS for those of you who feel like solving a lot puzzles.

(Finding a way to make these recipes today is quite difficult)

This book IS NOT an interesting read.

This book IS incredibly interesting.

This book IS NOT for those of you just starting out... PERIOD!

If you simply keep hearing Jerry Thomas, Jerry Thomas and want to learn more... READ:

Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to ''Professor'' Jerry Thomas, Pioneer of the American Bar.

David Wondrich does all the work for you and he does it incredibly, incredibly well.

*I do recommend keeping a dictionary handy and learning Latin.

Either way, it's nice to have it on your shelf.

Awesome litterature...For all made or wannabe bartenders. Tremendous ideas for the era written, very good cocktails and bartender tips.

My husband works for a wine and spirits distributor and he loves this type of stuff. We will definitely try some of the original recipes, so to speak!