Maran Illustrated Bartending [Paperback]

maranGraphics Development Group (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 13, 2005 | Series: Maran Illustrated

Maran Illustrated Bartending is a valuable contemporary resource to a wide range of readers-from those who want to entertain a few guests at an impromptu party to those who wish to be the consummate host at their next big event. Full-color photographs and clear, step-by-step instructions walk the reader through each stage of the bartending process from beginning to end. Thorough topic introductions and useful tips provide additional information and advice to help enhance the readers' bartending experience. This colorful, easy-to-use and informative resource will allow a reader to learn the ins and outs of bartending comfortably at their own pace. Maran Illustrated Bartending is packed with essential information for people who are bartending for the first time and will provide more experienced readers with a refresher course on the basics and the opportunity to expand their bartending skills. Maran Illustrated Bartending will cost less than a bottle of spirits, and will be a permanent resource that will provide years of enjoyment.

Product Details

• Paperback: 249 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology PTR; 1 edition (December 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592009441
• ISBN-13: 978-1592009442
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #389,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book needs a sequel, January 4, 2009

By 

Ghostman (LA, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maran Illustrated Bartending (Paperback)

I was never a terribly big fan of alcohol, so when I was introduced to such strong and bland drinks as the Vodka Tonic, it did little to persuade me.

Then, I had the Midori Sour, which hardly had any alcoholic taste to it. Of course, for those who know the Midori Sour, it's stigmatized as a "chick drink" or something females prefer. This is because the Midori Sour is not a heavy drink and contains a small amount of liquer.

But the idea of getting annihilated or intoxicated for the so-called "buzz" and acting foolish, did not impress me. If I was to drink alcohol, I was gonna drink it for the flavor.

I had plenty of other cocktails, besides the Midori Sour, but I just couldn't find anything else that rivaled its simple, yet flavorful combination. I thought, "Surely, there must be more alcoholic drinks out there, that actually taste similarly delightful."

Unfortunately, learning about cocktails can get easily frustrating, because there are few resources that present a solid introduction of it. Most of the books I checked out, would refer to one of millions of different liquors (vodka, bourbon, whiskey, rum, cachaca, etc) as ingredients, without explaining the differences, and popular choices of brands. All of this is nothing short of overwhelming to beginners, who are looking to mix something sophisticated and beyond stuff served in plastic red cups.

One of the reasons why I refuse to purchase cookbooks, is due to the endless array of ingredients I've never heard of. These cookbooks don't tell you where to purchase them, or what brands they personally used, etc, etc.

On the contrary, this book on bartending, executes a magnificent job of introducing you to the art of cocktails. It provides simple instructions, step by step, and it also educates you about all the techniques employed in this book, such as the creation of various garnishes, muddling fruits, layering effects, making simple syrup, etc. There's even a glossary of all the liquors and ingredients listed in this book. And best of all, everything is accompanied with pictures!

I've yet to come across another bartending book that is this complete. Most books fail to provide any pictures, leaving your imagination to wonder the result, and whether you made it properly and what not. Furthermore, the lack of visuals offer little to no incentive for you to make the cocktail.

Trust me when I tell you that this book will save you loads of time and confusion that I endured when I first got into mixing drinks. This is a fantastic book, and I recommend it to everybody seeking to upgrade their bartending skills.

Having said all that, I'm not saying this is the be all, end all bartending bible. But it's as close as you can get to it, relative to other books in current times. I'm absolutely surprised at how useless and unfriendly 99% of the bartending resources are, right now. Heck, I wish a publisher came and offered me a chance to make a bartending book, because I'd explain everything I had trouble understanding, as an eager-eyed novice, myself. But until then, this is the book you wanna get.

Sidebar: It even teaches you how to make an authentic Cosmopolitan, as opposed to the processed, pre-made stuff they have at stores, or the ones in most bars that blasphemously substitute fresh lime with Rose's Lime. :(

Some of my favorite drinks in this book were...

- Strawberry Caipirinha
- Bourbon Smash
- Melon Mojito
- Melon Daiquiri
- Rum Runner
- Rugburn
- Blue Cosmo
- Banana Colada

Good luck, and I hope this helps!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!!!, August 18, 2009

By 

JS1018 "JS" (Clear brook, va) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Maran Illustrated Bartending (Paperback)

This book is the best of all bar tending books out there. My boyfriend and I wanted a book to help us to learn to make our favorite cocktails instead of going out all the time. We originally saw it at a book store but decided to buy it from Amazon. Not only are the recipes detailed but the pictures are excellent. You will know if you made the drink right by comparing it to the picture in the book. Here are the other awesome features of this book:

*The recipes are extremely easy to follow and thoroughly explain the preparation.

*There is an introduction to each type of liquor, its different forms and the history behind it.

*It lists all liqueurs(which compliment liquor) with their origins and uses.

*All tools that you could ever possibly need for your home bar are discussed including glassware and what each glass is used for.

After reading this book I can easily make just about any drink out there. I have also started creating my own drinks by combining liquors and liqueurs that I have learned to identify by the flavor and consumption listed in this book.

If you really want to have a good time making your own drinks without the headache and confusion this book is definitely the one to get!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE THIS BOOK!, January 4, 2007

By 

Linda Jordan (Orange, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maran Illustrated Bartending (Paperback)

This is the best book I've seen for mixed drinks. The martini recipe selection is especially wonderful, and all the pictures are beautiful. It's a big help to see what the drink will look like before deciding whether to make it.