Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's and Party Guide (Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's & Party Guide) [Hardcover]

Mr. Boston (Author), Anthony Giglio (Editor), Steven McDonald (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2005 | Series: Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's & Party Guide

The up-to-date new edition of America's bestselling drink-mixing guide

America's favorite drink-mixing guide since 1935, Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's and Party Guide has been the resource of choice for generations of professionals and amateurs alike. Now this classic is better than ever, with updated information, 100 contemporary new drink recipes, and all-new photography. More than 1,400 recipes range from classic cocktails to today's trendiest drinks, all presented alphabetically with clear, easy-to-follow instructions. With the latest lowdown on liquors, beers, and wines, plus savvy advice on equipment, bar setup, and more, Mr. Boston has it all.

Mr. Boston, part of the Barton Brands group, has been a widely recognized name in the bartending world for more than 60 years. The Mr. Boston brand includes a range of liquors and prepared cocktails as well as this 66th printing of the Official Bartender's and Party Guide.

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 66 editions of the Official Bartenders' and Party Guide, which has consistently outsold and outlasted other bartending books, as well as a range of liquors and prepared cocktails.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; Revised edition (November 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764597329
• ISBN-13: 978-0764597329
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #843,406 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent For The Home Bar, August 30, 2008

By 

S. Young (Surprise, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's and Party Guide (Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's & Party Guide) (Hardcover)

I have tried several guides over time and years ago settled on Mr. Boston's guide. It provides accurate ratios and, best of all, a picture of the recommended glassware for each drink. It is simple, easy to follow and provides information such as sections on Eggnogs, Punches, the usage of Wine in Mixed Drinks and even Non-Alcoholic drinks.

The book is broken down by type of alcohol (also Shooters, Cordials, Frozen Drinks, etc.) and has a complete alphabetical index in the back. This means if you have a bottle of Tequila you have an entire section (45 mixes) from which to choose a drink. On the other hand, if your in-law wants to throw you a curve ball and asks for a Rum Runner you know you will find it on page 66.

Color photographs scattered throughout complete this guide giving a visual for many different drinks and the glassware recommended. Also included is how to stock your bar, how to float liqueurs, the art of pouring, chilling and muddling and much more.

I not only use this book in my own home but often include it as part of a housewarming gift basket.

If only it was spiral bound it would be a five-star guide.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre book, just gets reprinted without improvements, July 30, 2007

By 

Quickhappy "quickhappy" (Big city, big country) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's and Party Guide (Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's & Party Guide) (Hardcover)

The publishers of this guide simply aren't making an effort: they just reprint this book year after year. They fail to take notice of readers' hopes for changes, as well as the changed landscape for alcoholic drinks. Until we stop buying this awful book, they'll keep printing it.

One of the major weaknesses of the book is its index. Want to find all drinks with orange juice? No go. How about a "hot toddy?" Sorry--you have to look up "hot brandy toddy," but that's not its common name! Maybe you'd like to make something with the last of your coffee liquor, so maybe the index or table of contents will guide you there? No ma'am.

Then, as many reviewers have mentioned, half the drinks in the guide are dated, and countless modern favorites are not included. If I were buying a drink guide I would definitely look elsewhere.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Get the Platinum Edition, February 14, 2007

By 

Donald A. Nelson (Key West, Fl United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's and Party Guide (Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's & Party Guide) (Hardcover)

I consider myself a professional bartender. I also collect barbooks. For years I had heard how awful this book was from people in the industry, so I never bothered to buy it. One of my previous day-time bar gigs (pool bar, Hyatt, Key West) had a copy, so I'd thumb through it in my down time. Soon it morphed into a game I'd play with my customers. Name your favorite drink, and then see how bad Mr. Boston would muck it up.

If you are shopping for an end all be all guide for cocktails at home, or for professional use, I recommend..."The Craft of the Cocktail" by Dale Degroff. Or try "Killer Cocktails" by David Wondrich. "The Joy of Mixology" by Gary Regan is also a great book.

I have just learned that their is a "platinum edition" of this book that has been updated by many experts in the industry who I respect and admire. If it has to be Mr. Boston, you should check out that version.