Cecil Beaton's Cocktail Book

by Cecil Beaton (Photographer)

Drink like one of the Bright Young Things with Cecil Beaton’s Cocktail Book Cecil Beaton (1904–80) was one of the most celebrated British portrait photographers of the 20th century, so renowned for his images of celebrities and high society that his own name has become synonymous with elegance, glamour and style. In the 1920s and ’30s, Beaton used his camera, his ambition and his larger-than-life personality to mingle with a flamboyant and rebellious group of artists and writers, socialites and partygoers whose spirit and style cut a dramatic swathe through the epoch. Canonizing the era’s “Bright Young Things” in his distinctive brand of opulent studio portraiture, Beaton worked his way up from middle-class suburban schoolboy to glittering society figure.

This miniature cocktail book features a delightful array of recipes inspired by the decadent drinks of Beaton’s youth, and the fabulous friends and celebrities whom he photographed. Period classics such as the Hanky Panky, Manhatten, Negroni and Sidecar are given contemporary twists by the Head Bartender and Mixologist of the world famous Claridge's Hotel in London, which played host to some of the most extravagant Bright Young gatherings. It is illustrated with the artist’s own photographs and the witty and distinctive drawings he produced throughout his life, recording people, travels and experiences, which were featured in Vogue magazine. A must-have for every well-appointed bar cart, Cecil Beaton’s Cocktail Book brings to life a deliriously eccentric, glamorous and creative era.

120 pages, Hardcover

Published May 12, 2020

About the author

People noted sets and costumes of British photographer, diarist, and theatrical designer Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton for My Fair Lady on stage in 1956 and on film in 1964.

Cecil Beaton first styled his sisters decadently. His unique flair for elegance and fantasy led him to the most successful and influential portrait and fashion of the 20th century. From Adolf de Meyer, baron, and Edward Jean Steichen as sources of inspiration, he nevertheless developed all his own style. He worked for Vogue for more than a quarter-century and also as court official to the royal family in 1937. A constant innovator, Beaton worked for five decades to captivate some figures of his time from Edith Sitwell to the Rolling Stones, Greta Garbo, Jean Cocteau, and Marilyn Monroe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_B...

Reviews

[Tosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ultimate gift book for your favorite alcoholic, with a taste of history from the world of Cecil Beaton. Recipes of course, but also images by Beaton, both as in photographs and drawings. The Bright Young Things cocktail book.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully designed book, with a great selection of jazz age cocktails. The only downside is the use of brand specific ingredients. I understand that (for example) different brands of sweet vermouth have slightly different flavour profiles, but only including the brand name without including what the ingredient is makes the book harder to use.

[Netochka Nezvanova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ingredients are often specific brand names, not useful for a quick refresher as to how to build a ____ when you have to recall if the ingredient listed is a white sweet dry red vermouth or gin or perhaps whiskey. Nice images, but hey - it's Beaton.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well worth a browse, even if you are not a drinker, on account of the wonderful Beaton photos and his pen and ink drawings.

[Marie-Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elegant and informative guide to the cocktail scene of the 1920s