Shaken Not Stirred: A Celebration of the Martini (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This first-of-its-kind volume features over 200 ways to make classic and nouveau martinis plus a directory of the world's best martini lounges. Here, readers will discover the finer points of gin versus vodka, olive versus twist, shaken versus stirred, as well as brands of liquor, ratios of ingredients and every facet of this highly ritualized and specific cocktail. Also included are looks at and recipes for the weird and wonderful new offspring of the martini renaissance: chocolate and espresso martinis, the Cajun Combustion Engine, Martini Navratilova, Very Berry Martini, Pasini Express, Berlin Station Chief and many more. With sidebars featuring quotes from literature, toasts and historical points of interest, plus photos recalling great martini moments in film, politics, culture and advertising, Shaken Not Stirred is a fabulous celebration of a classic and very au courant international tradition.

About the Author

Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown are the authors of Shaken Not Stirred: A Celebration of the Martini and run the award-winning Shaken Not Stirred website.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; 1 edition (April 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062734881
• ISBN-13: 978-0062734884
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #187,305 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shake shake shake, shake shake shake..., December 26, 2002

By	Brian S. (Orange, CA USA) - See all my reviews

...shake your 'tini?

I was pleased to receive this book recently as a gift and couldn't wait to peel back the front cover and begin seeing what it had in stock for me. The book was a perfect companion as I'd just gotten a set of 4 martini glasses and a shaker/strainer and was eager to put them to good use. But since my nose was too buried in this concise little text, I didn't have any need for the hardware yet. Since "Shaken Not Stirred" also offered conventional and more modern drink recipies - in an effective layout - I was perfectly willing to go back to it to look up a couple of drink recipes once I'd read up on my background info on the drink. I feel like I am now a true martini aficianado and much better informed!

The book was put together by the authors of a website by the same name, who launched their site on Halloween of '95. Soon, they had gotten many suggestions to put the book together - and it turned out to be an unqualified hit. There are many reasons to like this book, it's easy to read and the words flow, plus its something I'd want to read more than once. But perhaps my favorite part about this original idea for a book (it purports to be the first bar book expressly dedicated to the martini, and backs it up by research done by the publisher) is that it's not just a recipe book or just a list of bars. In other words, all you probably ever need to know in a tight little package. It was also neat finding out I'd already visited some of their best "martini lounges" in my city within the pages, but was eager to try the places I hadn't heard of. I'd recommend this volume to anyone interested in mixing their own drinks, or even wanting to learn a little bit more behind the whole martini or "Swingers" culture.

Now then, care for a cocktail? ;)

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the comprehensive guide to martinis. Great resource, May 5, 1999

By A Customer

I work at a private country club. We hosted a Martini party for our members and used this book as a reference. It was perfect! It made valuable suggestions right down to the music we should play.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, authoritative info on martinis, style, and lore, July 15, 1998

By A Customer

This is an excellent book about Martinis: mixology, preparation, history, style, and their unique place in literature. The guides to preparing each martini and its variations are well written, understandable, and insightful. If you're a James Bond or vodka martini fan, you'll find the information in this book to be top notch. This book also does the best job I've seen of putting the martini into context with other cocktails, and explaining important "dos and don'ts." The history of each martini and its creator makes you feel like you know them personally. You won't feel shy about asking for something unusual, and passing on your favorites to a bartender (without a hint of snootiness). The book's listing of state-by-state martini hotspots is less than complete, it could use a brief description of some rare or unfamiliar ingredients and their sources, and the index could be polished and expanded. Hopefully, these minor detractions will be corrected in th! ! e next printing, but in the mean time, this is a fantastic book for the novice or aficionado.