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Peterson's Happy Hour: Spirited Cocktails and Helpful Hints to Brighten Daily Life [Hardcover]

Valerie Peterson
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)


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Book Description

June 1, 2010
When the daily grind begins to grate, lifting your spirits can be as simple as…lifting a glass of spirits!

Whether you need to cool off after a computer meltdown, dilute a deer-icidal impulse when Bambi’s relatives are eating your garden, or subdue the sticker shock of your grocery bill, the refreshing solutions and helpful tips in this book will keep your mood afloat.  Peterson’s Happy Hour prescribes the perfect liquid antidote for your household hindrances, workday worries, playtime problems, or vacation vexations such as:

• Acquire an itchy rash while attempting to clear the backyard weeds?

Soothe yourself with a calamine-pink Name Your Poison, made with rum, milk, and frozen strawberries.

• Done in when babysitting naughty nieces and nephews?

Choose “sparkling” over “spanking” with an elegant champagne-based Auntie Dote.

• Need to ditch the long-distance travel plans for the cultural adventures of home?

Ride your recliner to destination relaxation with a spicy, Mexican beer-based Señor Staycation.

• Realize that your old house improvements are a lot harder than they seem on TV?

Put down the saw and get hammered with a classic Rusty Nail.

• Faced with a corporate social event that’s about as exciting as an IRS audit?

Motivate your fellow employees with a No Company Picnic--it tastes like watermelon but has no seeds.

In addition to more than fifty recipes, Peterson's Happy Hour is filled with vintage photographs and ephemera that evoke the sunny days of yore. With simple instructions for making up-to-the-minute cocktail ingredients (infused liquors, syrups, purées), an equipment glossary, and a list of resources, this book gives you the know-how and inspiration to concoct your own happy hours—on even the most miserable days. Because sometimes, when the day hands you lemons, a shot of homemade limoncello can do you a world of good.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Sample Recipe from Peterson's Happy Hour: Fish Story Punch

You remember it all so vividly--the tension on your line--and it was on! You thought your arms would break during the forty-five-minute life-or-death battle with nature, man vs. beast, you against the elements. For a second, you figured all was lost, but somehow you found strength for that final effort and you landed the sucker! Relive your moment of triumph over a glass of spiced-rum punch worthy of Captain Ahab. As a matter of fact, you recollect that yours was the second-largest fish ever caught by your age group.

Serves 1:
1-½ ounces spiced rum
1 ounce peach schnapps
½ ounce (1 tablespoon)
fresh lemon juice
½ ounce (1 tablespoon) simple syrup (recipe below)
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) strongly brewed black tea, cooled

Combine the rum, peach schnapps, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well (until condensation forms on the entire shaker). Strain the mixture over ice into a rocks glass. Add the tea and stir gently.

For a Boat-load of Fish Story Punch:
Serves 12
3 cups (24 ounces) spiced rum
2 cups (16 ounces) peach schnapps
2 cups (16 ounces) strongly brewed black tea, cooled and well chilled
1 cup (8 ounces) fresh lemon juice, well chilled
1 cup (8 ounces) simple syrup, well chilled

Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl.

Simplest Simple Syrup
Makes approximately 1-½ cups

1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally until all the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Cool. Store in an airtight glass jar for up to 1 month in the refrigerator.



Review

"MUST-READ... Proving there is a libation for every occasion, Peterson's is stuffed with engagement- and honeymoon-friendly drink recipes like... the Sandy Bathing Suit (an alcoholic ode to... sandy bathing suits)." --BRIDES Magazine

This compact, witty book serves up the perfect cocktail recipes for almost any situation. Clever... paired with vintage photos.  Indexes... are helpful. And the back... is full of information on technique and equipment. --Arizona Daily Star

Charming... the book's boozy-fun approach along with practical instructions... make it a solid all-round cocktail book. --The Hippo - New Hampshire

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 128 pages
  • Publisher: Clarkson Potter (June 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0307590518
  • ISBN-13: 978-0307590510
  • Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 6.1 x 8.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,652,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Valerie Peterson is the author (most recently) of Peterson's Happy Hour (Clarkson Potter), a companion to Peterson's Holiday Helper, the "entertainingly irreverent,"* "attractive, nostalgic, kitsch-crammed cocktail cookbook that... should provide enough esprit to see anyone through New Year's."**

A therapeutic concoctionist, she's BARSmarts certified, and has written about cocktails and mixologists for publications ranging from The New York Times to Dessert Professional magazine. She has contributed to The New York Times Op-Ed page and, with Janice Fryer, co-authored the "must have"*** Cookie Craft and Cookie Craft Christmas cookie decorating books.

Valerie holds a certificate in Film & Television Directing from New York University; her screenwriting and filmmaking have been recognized by film festivals and competitions. A native of Yonkers, New York and a graduate of Fordham University in the Bronx, she now resides in--and enjoys the occasional--Manhattan.

She is currently at work on a novel.

* Associated Press **The New York Times ***The Washington Post

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
(8)
4.9 out of 5 stars
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The cocktail concotions are truly unique and wonderful. T. Taylor  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect summertime hostess gift June 16, 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought Peterson's Holiday Helper last year to bring as a hostess gift to all those holiday parties (and as a holiday gift for my coworkers). So I was thrilled to discover Peterson's Happy Hour. Now I have a neat hostess gift to bring to all these fast-approaching summer BBQs!..Instead of bringing the same old pototao salad side dish, I can now whip up a delightful summertime cocktail and bring it along with a copy of the book! But it's really more than just a terrific hostess gift. The cocktail concotions are truly unique and wonderful. You'll definitely want to keep a copy and use for your own entertaining.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book! June 1, 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved Peterson's Holiday Helper, so was delighted to see this great new collection of clever anecdotes, hilarious photographs and delicious cocktails. Peterson's Happy Hour is an engaging, laugh-out-loud read, filled with tasty concoctions for the perfect cocktail any time of year. With the summer BBQ season in full swing this is a perfect gift for the host - perhaps coupled with a bottle of their favorite libation...? Cheers!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The new "go-to" book for entertaining July 15, 2010
Format:Hardcover
What fun! This book definitely helps you relieve stress! You'll be laughing from the first page until the last! Why not celebrate every day with one of Peterson's delicious libations - so easy to follow, you'll have your happy hour on in no time!!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Informative, Humorous and Gift-y! June 23, 2010
Format:Hardcover
I love giving a gift that people will enjoy--whether it is when I show up for a casual summer barbeque or a fancy bridal shower. I have already purchased three copies for gifts and each time "Peterson's Happy Hour" was a big hit. This book is unique compared to any other bartending or cocktail books I looked at. It absolutely has the fun drink recipes and it has all the information on how to stock a bar (which brides love--I paired it with bar accessories for a great shower gift). But what makes this book really stand out is the humor, the history and the great photos throughout. "Peterson's Happy Hour" is a fun conversation piece--at the parties I attended, the book was passed around and everyone read a funny passage out loud or pointed to a hilarious photograph that reminded them of their own family. Who can look at that cover and not break into a grin? Highly recommended!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars I wouldn't entertain without Peterson's! June 7, 2010
By MTMNYC
Format:Hardcover
I received Peterson's Holiday Helper as a gift and found myself quickly relying on it. So I got Happy Hour as soon as I saw it and started using it over the weekend. I find it so much easier (and cheaper!) to make a large batch of house drink for my guests than to have to buy multiple bottles of wine. The drinks kind of serve as a conversation piece and everyone has seemed so excited to try something new/or go off their usual drink. It's like just doing something different puts my family/guests in a happier mood and it's pretty simple to take the proportion of the recipes and make them for the masses. And I have to admit that I also like the whole styling of the book - it reminds me of the family get-togethers when I was kid and everyone had no shame in enjoying a good drink. I like this book so much that I'd give it as a gift except I kind of want to keep the secrets in it to myself!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars So Much Fun !!!!!!!!! June 3, 2010
Format:Hardcover
A fun and hilarious read, Valerie Peterson's Happy Hour book is the perfect gift for any summer party !!! Filled with yummy and refreshing drink recipes, as well as, chuckle inspiring quips, this book will be the quintessential accessory to have at any summer get-together. Provide your friends with a laugh while whipping up their favorite drink ....this book is perfect !!!!!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Drinks, Great Gift June 3, 2010
Format:Hardcover
Great recipes for classic and new drinks, perfect for parties or just to explore some new libations. And a perfect gift for the host/hostess of your choice!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Cheers to Valerie Peterson! June 2, 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Delicious & easy recipes coupled with priceless hilarious old photos makes this book a keeper -- even if you are a teetotaler! The book is written in a witty and easy to read format... just flip to any page and you are ready to entertain. I plan on working my way through the recipes all summer long!
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