Mix Shake Stir: Recipes from Danny Meyer's Acclaimed New York City Restaurants (Hardcover)

~ Danny Meyer (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Meyer has long been a hero to New York City restaurant goers via his eclectic and acclaimed eateries—the upscale Gramercy Tavern, exotic Tabla and low-down Blue Smoke and Shake Shack. Now, perhaps in a nod to the economic climate, Meyer befriends the stay-at-home crowd with an excellent guide to the affordable luxury known as the artisanal cocktail. Resisting the capitalistic impulse to crank out a book representing each of his establishments, he instead pulls recipes from all of them, 140 in toto, providing enough martinis, highballs and infused liquor to withstand any recession. He stacks the drinks into five different categories. Favorite Classics (old-fashioned, Negroni and such); New Classics like a Pomegranate gimlet and a modern martini with cilantro-infused gin; Inspired Flavors such as the Kachumber Kooler (a favorite at Tabla made with muddled cucumber, cilantro and chili pepper); Elegant Sips, where Champagne and sherry make their presence known; and Casual Libations for the beach, the backyard or the mojito-fueled dance party. And because no one should have too many blood orange margaritas on an empty stomach, Meyer concludes with a chapter of Bar Fare. The kick from his five-spice cashews, Thai trail mix and hot garlic potato chips all require that a tall glass of ice water be added to the evening's drink list. (May)
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Review

"MIX SHAKE STIR is the best thing that's happened to cocktail lovers since Kingsley Amis's Everyday Drinking. This indispensable guide will make you a very popular host. Danny Meyer proves once again that he knows more about hospitality than anyone since Escoffier and Ritz." (Jay McInerney )

"...an excellent guide to the affordable luxury known as the artisanal cocktail." (Publishers Weekly )

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (May 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316045128
• ISBN-13: 978-0316045124
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #59,999 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five-star cocktail guide from His Highness of Hospitality, May 15, 2009

By	Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg "www.becomin... (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

We can't think of the last time two wine lovers like us got this excited about a cocktail book -- but then again, most everything Danny Meyer and his team touch seems to turn to gold. MIX SHAKE STIR is a (professional *or* amateur) mixologist's delight, showcasing through gorgeous four-color photos and mouthwatering recipes both classic and cutting-edge flavor combinations -- like cucumber + cilantro, peach + Prosecco, rhubarb + ginger -- in cocktails that look as great as they sound. Ever the thoughtful host, Meyer even includes recipes for accompanying bar snacks -- from Gramercy Tavern Bar Nuts to the betcha-can't-eat-just-one Hot Garlic Potato Chips we ourselves can't get enough of at his Union Square Cafe. After a respectful nod to classic cocktails, the book documents some of Meyer's renowned restaurants' most popular contemporary cocktails -- which surely include a future classic or two.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a book that makes you think, 'Well, it's 5 PM SOMEWHERE', May 14, 2009

By	Jesse Kornbluth "Head Butler" (New York) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

My father once ate --- by mistake --- a bourbon ball and nearly passed out.

My mother has a glass of Manischewitz Cream Red Concord --- "a sweet but balanced wine with a velvety mouth feel" --- once every decade or so.

Me? Two drinks and I get giddy, then sleepy. There is no cheaper date.

But every once in a while someone makes an exotic drink that hides the taste of the key ingredient, and I suddenly see how I could develop a serious liking for darkened bars and delicious libations.

Do not, if you have a problem with alcohol, open this book --- the pictures alone will have you in the gutter. Really, these beverages are as shiny as jewels. From the glassware to the ice cubes, everything is spectacular. A rim of salt is so even you'd suspect a surgeon applied it. Fruit isn't cut, it's carved. Open this book to any page and you'll find yourself thinking, "Well, it's 5 PM somewhere."

Which is more or less what you'd expect from Danny Meyer, whose New York restaurants include Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, 11 Park Madison, Table, Blue Smoke, The Modern and the Shake Shack --- every one a winner. This man knows how to please his customers, and if you think that's foodie hype, just dip into his memoir, 'Setting the Table'.

Not that you can go to your liquor cabinet and whip up most of these 100 drinks.

There's a slight trick to these potions: uncommon ingredients. Freshly made ice cubes are the least of it --- we're talking flavored vodkas, obscure syrups, herbs like Thai basil. And then it's just a matter of nicely tweaked recipes. Like a mojito made with champagne and rose water. Or Blue Smoke's Dirty Pete, a martini that calls for olive brine and hot-pepper sauce instead of vermouth.

The proof's in the tasting. From modest experience: I'll have another, bartender.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice book, May 28, 2009

By	N. Gargano "nokegchris" (Waynesville NC and Bradenton, Fl) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book as a gift, but I had it sent to me first, I was going to give it in person. It is a beautiful book, and I looked through it to see what I was giving away. Wonderful. The most unusual drinks and the person I gave the book to loves to entertain. I know she will be able to find the perfect drink for every guest. I think this book is a winner!!