Vintage cocktails: Authentic recipes and illustrations from 1920-1960

by Bob Market

"Miss Morris, I'm perfectly capable of fixing my own breakfast. As a matter of fact, I had a peanut butter sandwich and two whisky sours." —Tom Ewell as Richard Sherman in THE SEVEN-YEAR ITCH

In this delightful volume, a comprehensive roster of sublime drinks evokes a time when the drinking of cocktails was de rigueur-and more was definitely merrier. Colorfully written and rendered, "Vintage Cocktails: Authentic Recipes and Illustrations from 1920-1960" celebrates the glory and glamour of cocktails-their ascension during Prohibition and continued popularity through the pre- and post-World War II era and beyond. Presented are a wealth of classic recipes-from the iconoclastic Martini, to the original Daiquiri (not frozen, please!), and the knock-your-socks-off Zombie-plus amusing anecdotes about their origins. Both recipes and anecdotes provide a colorful backdrop with which to understand today's cocktail craze. The lively text, accompanied by beautiful vintage liquor advertisements, posters, and labels, also includes tips for making the perfect cocktail, useful drink making terms and famous lines from movies of the era. The glamour of the cocktail-both in its past celebrity and newfound, well-deserved popularity-comes to life in this eminently entertaining book. Bottoms up!

Genres: Cookbooks, Cocktails, Nonfiction, Cooking

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Beau Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good thing I bought some gin last night! And three more maraschino liqueur recipes! This book is awesome, if you're looking for some classic recipes.

[Riley Rabuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than just a recipe book with a ton of really fun facts for your next party or opportunity behind the bar.

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the recipes, the history and the drawings!

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun- a terribly opinionated book generally is! Lots of interesting facts about prohibition plus gorgeous old graphics plus snarky comments in the recipes. F'rinstance, regarding something called a Pegu Club cocktail:

"One of the chief, if unsung, achievements of the British colonial era was putting good gin into the hands of people who knew how to use it."

Lots of fun.

[Devowasright · Rating 5 out of 5]

a nice basic starter for traditional and original (ie non-bastardized) cocktail recipes. gets 5 stars for the glorious illustrations and reproductions of vintage liquor advertisements.