For more than 60 years, Mr. Boston has been mixing drinks for amateurs and professionals alike. A definitive drink directory, "Mr. Boston Official Bartender's & Party Guide" is the bartender's bible, and now contains more invaluable information than ever before. From new, trendy drink recipes such as the "Cosmopolitan" to useful facts about single malt scotches along with a special liquor, wine, and beer directory, this new, updated version is still a classic...with a modern twist.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Mr. Boston is part of the Barton Brands group, and has been a widely-recognized name in the bartending world for over 60 years. The Mr. Boston brand includes 65 editions of the Official Bartenders' and Party Guide, which has consistently out-sold and outlasted other bartending books, as well as a range of liquors and prepared cocktails.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
“ Time-Warner did not spend enough money in editing (and re-write) to catch that the Introduction still refers to the book as the 64th edition. ”
“ Unfortunately, this is not true as the guide is severely lacking on drinks that have become popular in more recent years, especially among younger people. ”
“ I had the wrong book. ”
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By P. Hsu
Format:Paperback
This guide has an astounding number of drink recepies, leading to the impression that were you to familiarize yourself with this guide you would know how to make virtually every drink that someone would ask you for. Unfortunately, this is not true as the guide is severely lacking on drinks that have become popular in more recent years, especially among younger people. Your grandfather may be content with this guide, but anyone in their 20's or early 30's is certain to find that several of their favorite drinks are lacking.
That aside, the book isn't a poor starter for someone who is just beginning. It has good advice on setting up a bar even if it is a little outdated, providing references to equipment that is no longer quite so commonly used.
The book claims to be "America's Favorite Drink Mixing Guide" and while it may be the most widely sold guide, I'd venture to say that many of those who purchase it are quite disappointed and reference it a lot less frequently that they envisioned.
That aside, the book isn't a poor starter for someone who is just beginning. It has good advice on setting up a bar even if it is a little outdated, providing references to equipment that is no longer quite so commonly used.
The book claims to be "America's Favorite Drink Mixing Guide" and while it may be the most widely sold guide, I'd venture to say that many of those who purchase it are quite disappointed and reference it a lot less frequently that they envisioned.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Darby
Format:Paperback
This is one of those nifty little reference books to have on hand during a party, or behind the bar, when you just don't remember (or know) how to make a particular cocktail or mixed drink.
Strengths:
* Decent overview of the basic essentials of tending bar: tools, party planning, etc.
* Encyclopedic breadth of recipes, both old and new. You wanna make an old fashioned sloe-gin fizz ? No problem. Want to know how to make "simple syrup" for Caribbean drinks and classic cocktails from the roaring 20's ? It's in there. Perhaps some haute toity blue blood, huffing a tiparillo behind a pair of 1950's vintage hornrims (and a pile of bar cash) wants a Pousse Café (one of the most anal-retentive and pretentious mixed drinks ever devised, BTW) ? No problemo, and don't forget to pour the different layers of chartreuse across a spoon to keep the layers distinct ... not that (in all reality) you'll ever actually get an order for one.
* Conveniently sized and fonted to provide maximum information in a small book ... that easily fits in a bar kit, behind a counter, or near a cash register. Well indexed too. In other words, this is a book designed for regular use and quick reference ... not for sitting idle on your coffee table.
Weaknesses:
* It's rather weak on instruction - but in the book's defense, it's a reference book by design, not an instructional book, and it's targeted for people who already know basic bartending.
* It's a bit weak on frozen/blended drink techniques - overdue for ergonomic update and expansion.
* It could include more information on various specialty liqueurs, and their flavor/usage.
* I'm slighly annoyed that despite 60+ reprintings, there are relatively few changes from revision to revision.
* It could give some tips on how to evaluate important tools like blenders.
* Although the book offers great breadth of recipes, it neglects (my 64th edition version doesn't) to provide things that professional bartenders find useful ... such as tips on how to organize a "speed rack", and helpful mnemonics for high-demand drinks (ex: a "Kamikaze" has "Very Little Time" ... VLT = Vodka, with a splash of lime and triplesec. Here's another: "Margarita" has "Tiny Little Sour Toes" ... TLST = Tequila, with lime, sour mix, and triplesec. Mr. Boston's doesn't really cover such helpful tricks - but it could and should).
Bottom line - books don't survive to 60+ editions unless they're doing something right. It's a very handy little reference book, and despite it's hefty recipe archive, it takes up surprisingly little space on your shelf ... by design. This one was a toss up between 3 and 4 stars for me ... but it's been useful enough to me over the years, despite it's flaws, to get the 4.
Strengths:
* Decent overview of the basic essentials of tending bar: tools, party planning, etc.
* Encyclopedic breadth of recipes, both old and new. You wanna make an old fashioned sloe-gin fizz ? No problem. Want to know how to make "simple syrup" for Caribbean drinks and classic cocktails from the roaring 20's ? It's in there. Perhaps some haute toity blue blood, huffing a tiparillo behind a pair of 1950's vintage hornrims (and a pile of bar cash) wants a Pousse Café (one of the most anal-retentive and pretentious mixed drinks ever devised, BTW) ? No problemo, and don't forget to pour the different layers of chartreuse across a spoon to keep the layers distinct ... not that (in all reality) you'll ever actually get an order for one.
* Conveniently sized and fonted to provide maximum information in a small book ... that easily fits in a bar kit, behind a counter, or near a cash register. Well indexed too. In other words, this is a book designed for regular use and quick reference ... not for sitting idle on your coffee table.
Weaknesses:
* It's rather weak on instruction - but in the book's defense, it's a reference book by design, not an instructional book, and it's targeted for people who already know basic bartending.
* It's a bit weak on frozen/blended drink techniques - overdue for ergonomic update and expansion.
* It could include more information on various specialty liqueurs, and their flavor/usage.
* I'm slighly annoyed that despite 60+ reprintings, there are relatively few changes from revision to revision.
* It could give some tips on how to evaluate important tools like blenders.
* Although the book offers great breadth of recipes, it neglects (my 64th edition version doesn't) to provide things that professional bartenders find useful ... such as tips on how to organize a "speed rack", and helpful mnemonics for high-demand drinks (ex: a "Kamikaze" has "Very Little Time" ... VLT = Vodka, with a splash of lime and triplesec. Here's another: "Margarita" has "Tiny Little Sour Toes" ... TLST = Tequila, with lime, sour mix, and triplesec. Mr. Boston's doesn't really cover such helpful tricks - but it could and should).
Bottom line - books don't survive to 60+ editions unless they're doing something right. It's a very handy little reference book, and despite it's hefty recipe archive, it takes up surprisingly little space on your shelf ... by design. This one was a toss up between 3 and 4 stars for me ... but it's been useful enough to me over the years, despite it's flaws, to get the 4.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
While there is a good deal of great information contained within its pages the guide desperately needs to be modernized. It lacks many of the most popular shooters, and has very few recipes for flavored vodkas and rum. I would strongly suggest either the playboy's bartender guide or bartending for dummies over this guide.
While there are some very nice full color pictures in the guide all of them are
Actually adds for the Mr. Boston brand of spirits. Also some of the recipes call for the Mr. Boston brad name of a drink instead of the generic name of the alcohol this can be very confusing since Mr. Boston is not available in all areas
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Lots of excellent information as well as all the drink concoctions you could ever want. Excellent reference on your bar top in the house.
Published 1 month ago by Rod Barker
5.0 out of 5 stars
65th edition works for us - cheers!
Let me start off my saying we are not big time drinkers in the alcohol department. The 65th edition is what we have and I had given it as a stocking stuffer for my spouse. Read more
Published 9 months ago by rural md transplant
5.0 out of 5 stars
All You Need...
The Old Mr. Boston Guide has been around since forever, and they keep updating it, decade after decade. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Steven J. Weller
1.0 out of 5 stars
Wrong book!
I had the wrong book. What do I need to do to get the right one or my money back?
Published on December 6, 2010 by Jurgen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mr. Boston Bar book
I have a had one of these sence 72 just wanted to update for the price it can not be beat
Published on January 10, 2010 by R. Quillen
3.0 out of 5 stars
OK
This book is the standard reference work to mixed drinks and cocktails and most bars have a copy. However, many of the drinks in this book were popular in the 30s-60s and are not... Read more
Published on March 4, 2006 by Michael F. McPartlan
5.0 out of 5 stars
The definitive guide
Look no further... this is the guide you will want handy at all of your parties. It is well organized and has very clear directions. Don't pass this up.
Published on December 27, 2004 by Brad Ellis
1.0 out of 5 stars
Living on Reputation
The 65th hard-cover edition of Mr. Boston would not rate a grade of "C" in any journalism class that I could imagine. Read more
Published on January 3, 2004 by William Baker
4.0 out of 5 stars
Close, but no hot toddy
I've owned this book for years. It has most of the drinks about which I've ever been curious. But this morning it failed me -- I looked up "toddy" and "hot... Read more
Published on November 20, 2003
2.0 out of 5 stars
Covers the basics, but too many annoying product promos
The guide seems to have all the basic drinks, techniques, and supplies covered. At the beginning of each section (whiskey, rum, vodka, etc), there's an overview that would be good... Read more
Published on May 10, 2003 by KenGE
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 4
books:
- Texas Empires: Lone Star by Evelyn Rogers in Back Matter
- Independence Day (Best Holiday Books) by Willma Willis Gore in Back Matter
- Just Desserts by Norma Cole in Back Matter
- The New Year by Pearl S. Buck in Back Matter
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