A collection of lively liquid masterpieces from around the world. Unusual alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages discovered by the author on every continent. From Mint Juleps to Shanghai Cossack Punch.
Jigger, Beaker and Glass: Drinking Around the World
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Editorial Reviews
Review
It's a book to keep by your reading nook or bedside. One of Baker's articles makes the case "Sip Wine, Don't Drink It." And that goes for this book, too, since few articles are more than a page long. (Oregon Wine Magazine )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Robert Hess
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
It should be noted first, that this book is a faithful reprint (all except the title and cover :-) of the classic "The Gentleman's Companion", first published in 1939. That first edition came as a two book set: "Exotic Drink Book", and "Exotic Cookery Book". The former is the book here in question, the latter has been likewise reprinted under the title "Knife, Fork, and Spoon : Eating Around the World".
If you are expecting the same old "wad-o-drinks" type of book here, then you will be quite surprised in what you find. Mr. Baker has a dry wit, as well as a cunning charm about him. And he exercises it well as he relates to his readers the various drinks that he has collected through his travels and adventures. The recipes often consist of more prose then raw ingredients, which makes them both more interesting to browse through but at the same time slightly more difficult to work from.
For a taste of his style, here is just one of the drink recipes from this book:
SANTIAGO NIGHTCAP, from a STAY in SANTIAGO de CUBA,
in the EARLY SPRING of 1930
------This is another favour passed along to this field
representative and wine tester by the late Senor Facuno
Bacardi, it being his primary thought to donate something
to woo sleep and restore the slightly frayed physical
assembly. It is a simple drink, and would also make a
fine picker-upper. . . . Take 1 1/2 jiggers of Gold
Seal Bacardi rum, add 1 pony of orange curaco and the
yolk of 1 egg. Shake hard with cracked ice and strain
into a large saucer champagne glass.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Many of the recipes in this book vary considerably from how the drink of the same name is prepared today. The author often calls for ingredients which can no longer be procured, but that is to be expected. For the serious cocktail enthusiast, this book is a must-have, and this inexpensive reprint means you won't want to kill yourself if you spill grenadine on it.
The previous person to review this book makes a good point, too. This is not simply a formula book of recipes, but THAT is exactly what makes it a great read. Another perfect example of this is "Cocktail Recipes from the Nineteenth Century - The Flowing Bowl", by Spencer (another recent reprint of a rare old cocktail book.)
The previous person to review this book makes a good point, too. This is not simply a formula book of recipes, but THAT is exactly what makes it a great read. Another perfect example of this is "Cocktail Recipes from the Nineteenth Century - The Flowing Bowl", by Spencer (another recent reprint of a rare old cocktail book.)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Phinney
Format:Hardcover
Charles H. Baker, author of The Gentleman's Companion, was in an enviable position; free to roam the world, with style, before modernity rolled the earth flat for commerce. It's a book with cocktail recipes but one can do a lot with a drink in hand. The recipes are more remembered than ordered (there is an index) & the story linked to each cocktail is as important. This is not to say that the recipes are not great, they are terrific & worth the trouble to make right, per Bakers instructions.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
It was a gift. Glanced at it and wanted to keep it. Great read. The person who received it was very happy.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Mong
Format:Hardcover
A wonderful journey, by a true bon vivant, around the world and into some of its most famous, and infamous bars to sample the spiritous joys within.
The classical work on the classic cocktails and drinks, and many other beverages besides that didn't quite make that lofty status, but still deserve to be tippled occaisionally too.
Loved it, loved it, loved it, please reprint the south american epic now please, I await with baited breath.
The classical work on the classic cocktails and drinks, and many other beverages besides that didn't quite make that lofty status, but still deserve to be tippled occaisionally too.
Loved it, loved it, loved it, please reprint the south american epic now please, I await with baited breath.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
this is worth buying for the description of the "sahara glowing heart" alone. amazing reference for 1920s and 1930s cocktails.
By Atalanta
Format:Hardcover
I have a copy of the original Gentleman's Companion (both 1 & 2). Received this as a gift for Christmas (as another reviewer so aptly pointed out - so a spilled ingredient wouldn't break my heart!).
I picked up the original many years ago looking for some older style cocktails. What I wasn't expecting was the narrative that filled the book. Most cocktail books will give you just recipes. Others will give some preface to the "martini" chapter or the "rum" chapter. This has a story for almost every drink it contains. He brings you with him through his descriptions of the people, surroundings, and way in which the drink is concocted.
Sometimes the recipe gets lost in the story and you have to go back and re-read it to find the directions. And they're not laid out as nicely as in modern cocktail books, again, you have to read the tale to figure out what you need and how its made. I don't mind this but some may find this a little annoying.
Yes, some of the ingredients are not so easy to find anymore, but classic cocktails are having a resurgence and there are plenty of sites online where you can possibly find ways to make your own ingredients. My fridge is stocked with all sorts of syrups and additives that I've made and they surpass many mass produced products.
To finish this review, I will leave you with my grenadine recipe. It's a richer color and full of flavor than what you'll find in your typical selection of mixers.
In a quart pot, bring a quart of 100% pomegranate juice to a simmer. Reduce it by 1/4 to 1/3. Remove from heat. Add about 1oz dried hibiscus flowers. Cover and let steep for about an hour. Strain and discard the flowers. Taste. It will have a slightly sour taste.... Read more ›
I picked up the original many years ago looking for some older style cocktails. What I wasn't expecting was the narrative that filled the book. Most cocktail books will give you just recipes. Others will give some preface to the "martini" chapter or the "rum" chapter. This has a story for almost every drink it contains. He brings you with him through his descriptions of the people, surroundings, and way in which the drink is concocted.
Sometimes the recipe gets lost in the story and you have to go back and re-read it to find the directions. And they're not laid out as nicely as in modern cocktail books, again, you have to read the tale to figure out what you need and how its made. I don't mind this but some may find this a little annoying.
Yes, some of the ingredients are not so easy to find anymore, but classic cocktails are having a resurgence and there are plenty of sites online where you can possibly find ways to make your own ingredients. My fridge is stocked with all sorts of syrups and additives that I've made and they surpass many mass produced products.
To finish this review, I will leave you with my grenadine recipe. It's a richer color and full of flavor than what you'll find in your typical selection of mixers.
In a quart pot, bring a quart of 100% pomegranate juice to a simmer. Reduce it by 1/4 to 1/3. Remove from heat. Add about 1oz dried hibiscus flowers. Cover and let steep for about an hour. Strain and discard the flowers. Taste. It will have a slightly sour taste.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
At last!
I've been watching for an affordable copy of this volume for several years since, I had an experienced bartender mix me an obscure drink from it. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Robert Klahn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reprint
"Reprint". ... of a book, which I have a set of the originals. Bought this for a nephew who is just heading down the world of food and drink.
Published 16 months ago by Robert A. Stacy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quick, easy transaction--great seller!
Received the book in a timely manner, book was as described. No markings in the book--book was brand new. Easy transaction!
Published 17 months ago by Brooklyndsay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read and semi useful
If you're a vintage cocktail buff, you gotta have this book in your collection. The stories with each drink are the best part. The drink recipes are just a bonus.
Published on February 14, 2010 by 7city
5.0 out of 5 stars
art!!
this book was written in a time when some people led lives that were interesting and full of wonder,w/o tv and other modern distractions,they were able to record the things they... Read more
Published on December 24, 2009 by John A. Purcell
4.0 out of 5 stars
Libationable
This book is a pure joy. How Baker went about experimenting with and investigating drinks is a model for libationers everywhere. Read more
Published on November 23, 2009 by Andy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good read
Very good read, and good recipes too. Every recipe has a story along with it. Neat.
Published on August 16, 2009 by James Troy Bell
