The Classic & Craft Cocktail Recipe Book: The Definitive Guide to Mixing Perfect Cocktails from Aviation to Zombie

by Clair McLafferty, Clair McLafferty

Raise the bar on all your cocktail creations. Cocktail culture is thriving, and this indispensable guide puts you right in the mix. Unlike most cocktail recipe books, this comprehensive reference source is up-to-date with the latest trends in mixology. You’ll learn the secret to making time-honored classics, as well as innovative new craft cocktails. The Classic & Craft Cocktail Recipe Book serves up all the recipes you’ll need with simple instructions, a convenient reference index, and practical tips for developing your personal mixing style. You even get a spritz of cocktail history and trivia. The Classic & Craft Cocktail Recipe Book includes: Show your class with every glass with a cocktail recipe book that’ll make you an expert on the subject―and a hit at every party.

Genres: Cookbooks

321 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2017

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource that I'll be using and referring to from now on! I'm now working on selecting out which bourbons are my favorites for Old Fashioneds and having fun.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won The Classic & Craft Cocktail Recipe Book quite some time ago in a Firstreads Giveaway, and hadn't realized that I'd not yet reviewed it. Sincere apologies to the author and good folks at Rockridge Press. So what sets this book apart, you ask? I'll tell you: in addition to all the usual how to set up a bar, distinguishing different glass types, it's organized into chapters by drink or spirit. So, if you're planning a brunch you can jump to champagne and sparkling wines, for instance. Or, you've got gin on hand, but want to branch out from the business as usual G & T or martini, so you jump to that chapter and peruse your options there. Each section has a solid introduction, information on distinguishing various "types" of that spirit, moves onward to the recipes--split into the "classic" and the "craft" versions of drinks made with that particular item, and then provides some additional info under the guise of "Gin Tips" (or, again, whichever chapter you're in at the moment). The instructions are succinct, clear, and offer substitutions or variations right there with the basic recipe--in other words, they don't require you to know that there's a variation and go look that up.

The book's size--small but not so small that it gets lost on the shelf among the quirky stocking stuffer cookbooks or bar guides--sturdiness (extra heavy weight covers designed to take a beating, well-stitched and not going to fall apart from frequent or ungentle use), and very reasonable price ($16.99 for the paperback), make it a welcome addition to your own bar/cookbook collection and shower or housewarming gift.

So, I'll close with a repeat of my apology for the delay in this review (when given something for free, the least one can do to say thanks is offer a timely commentary), I'm off to the store for provisions for this Labor Day weekend's experiment with the Flirtini . . . .

[Mike Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reference book for cocktail recipes as well as a great summary for the various tools and ingredients used in those cocktails. This is a great book to have handy in any home bar. The only thing I found to be missing was a Bloody Caesar - a somewhat common variant of the Bloody Mary that uses clamato juice.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads. It isn't really a reading book but as the title suggests it has every cocktail you can think of (and some you can't)! It is very nicely organized so you can easily find what you are looking for. I will be using recipes from this book at my family gatherings.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot as it is an excellent reference for home use. Little things are covered too, like whether you should store gin or whiskey in the freezer.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this guide! Each chapter has some history of a particular spirit, definitions for different varieties, descriptions of strength, and flavor profiles. The narratives are followed by classic recipes with suggestions for substitutions and creating your own craft cocktails. Perfect for any level enthusiast to add to their collection. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan Reyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful resource with detailed information to help mix up a huge variety of drinks. It is divided into sections by type with information at the beginning of each section. The ingredients list, supply list, and instructions are all very clear.

[JT · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway, and it's worth every penny I spent. Ms McLafferty simply did not do her research. Her section on beer I found, as a home-brewer, nearly offensive in its ignorance. I understand that there are many drinks you'll find made many ways, but there are some that have a well defined recipe, and she gets these uniformly wrong. If you're going to spend time on discussing the various ingredients, and you're also going to present some brand new craft cocktails with rare or DIY ingredients, then it behooves you to explain those. She doesn't.

Don't waste your time with this book. The Mr. Boston Bartender's guide is better.

[Mary Nee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great recipes ! Enjoyed trying each and liked them all!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great go-to guide to keep behind the bar. There are so many new drinks for me to try!

[Eotten · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I decided I wanted to actually learn about cocktails and not just follow the intuitions of myself and my boozey friends, I picked up "The Drunken Botanist." Though completely satisfying to my chemist tendencies of intricate details in. biological reactions, it didn't really tell me the basics. Clair's book is the perfect starter for a novice. It cleanly guides you through your "need to knows" but its winning quality comes from the attention to detail and fun quirks. While most authors denote, some counties call it "whiskey" and others "whisky", then blatant use their favorite, Clair gives credit to each, using them properly for their respective points of origin. It's the care and touch to rank it well, and it belongs on any cocktail enthusiasts' shelf.