The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book (Classic Cocktail Books series) [Hardcover]

A. S. Crockett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2003

From pre Civil War bartending to the night clubs of the 1940s, these bar books document the trends and mores of their respective eras. Beginning with the first known recipe book compiled for those seeking to serve sophisticated beverages, through the birth of many of the 21st century's drink standards and the tales of those who consumed them, these drink guides provide an insider's glimpse into the excess and splendor of the pre- and post-Prohibition eras.
Based on the actual bar book used by the Waldorf-Astoria prior to Prohibition, this collection of cocktails serves up more than 350 recipes. In addition to documenting the origin of many cocktails and mixed drinks still commonplace today, the book chronicles the background of their creation and the antics of some of the cronies Buffalo Bill Cody and Bat Masterson, among others who were regulars at the bar.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A post-prohibition collection of pre-prohibition drink recipes based on the bar manual of the Waldorf-Astoria bar. This is a must have for anyone who has or indulges in the finer things in life.

About the Author

Albert Stevens was a noted historian of the Waldorf-Astoria during the days of prohibition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 178 pages
• Publisher: New Day Publishing (June 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974325902
• ISBN-13: 978-0974325903
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great Bar Book, October 22, 2003

By 

George M.Burnell (La Quinta, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book (Classic Cocktail Books series) (Hardcover)

This is a unique book. It will give you much pleasure to read a brief and humorous history of the Prohibition years in America, with a collection of pre and post-prohibition cocktail drunk at the old Waldorf Bar, followed by a listing of pre-war mixed drinks. For each drink, you are treated with a delightful and humorous anecdote that will make great cocktail conversation.
For historians, there is a brief explanation of the origin and meaning of names given to each drink.
This book will make a great gift for anyone who appreciates a drink at cocktail time.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great buy for cocktail enthusiasts!, February 24, 2006

By 

M. Wood "booze hound" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book (Classic Cocktail Books series) (Hardcover)

Albert Crockett's The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book belongs on the shelf of any curious mixologist or cocktail enthusiast. This version is basically a reprint and repackaging of the original 1935 (1934?) edition. The quality of the typefaces and illustrations is pretty decent and the hardcover binding is great. For $10 this is a real value!

Mr. Jasper's review seems to miss one key element: Yes Mr. Crockett sounds a bit old and crusty and like he's telling your grandfather's stories...this book was published in 1935! Not only that, his assumed title on the first page is "Historian of the Old Waldorf-Astoria." And yes, by no means is this a good book for those wishing to mix modern drinks for a run-of-the-mill bar crowd. There are countless others out there for that purpose. However, it is an excellent read on the origin of modern cocktails, and spins some intriguing stories of the pre-Prohibition era. Perhaps it will inspire modern imbibers to seek out things like orange bitters, Benedictine, and a complement of glassware. Oh and by the way, Mr. Crockett recommends rye whiskey for the Manhattan. ;)

A related book (written 60 years later or so) is the excellent Cocktail: The Drinks Bible for the 21st Century (Harrington, Moorhead). It contains small essays on all the classic coktails as well recipes, background information, mixing techniques, etc. For some reason this book is still out of print, leading to ridiculous prices of $65 or more in the used market. If you can't score a copy you can read most of it at the Hotwired Cocktailtime web site.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to my Bar Book Collection, October 20, 2003

By 

D. Burnell (Winston Salem, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book (Classic Cocktail Books series) (Hardcover)

This beautifully reproduced book brings back a joyful recollection of history wrapped around the practical drink recipes that all my friends enjoy while I make them drinks in my home bar.