Bartending for Dummies

by Ray Foley

This latest edition of Bartending For Dummies features over 1,000 drink recipes in an A-Z format with clear, easy-to-follow instructions. This 4th Edition alsoDetailed information on how to properly stock a bar Expanded coverage on making exotic frozen/blended specialties, specialty coffees, and hot toddies Tips on creating unique punches and even non-alcoholic drinks Helpful information about experimenting with the latest flavored rums and vodkas including apple, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, grape, mango, and watermelon Fun, new ways to garnish, rim, and serve drinks like a master mixologist The latest tips and advice on curing hangovers and hiccups Advice on choosing the right and latest glassware and mixers New recipes covering the hottest shooters such as After Five, Candy Corn, Jelly Bean, and more A new section on festive holiday cocktails such as the Grinch and Candy Cane Martini

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Cooking, Food, Cookbooks, Food and Drink, Alcohol

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 26, 1997

Reviews

[Mikaela S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Thrift Find}
I’m a sucker for a good cookbook, recipe collection, or drink guide. When I was digging through the book bin at a local Goodwill, I stumbled upon this beauty and knew it needed to be added to my slowly growing cookbook/drink-book collection. The very first page presents the reader/user/drinker of the number of drinks, alcohol level, and body wight to drink number. On the flip side of said page, there is a chart with classic calculations for drink mixing. As an amateur at-home-bartender, I found this incredibly helpful. Also… the book is alphabetized according to the drink name!

[Eben Swett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book. I immensely enjoyed the trivia and loved telling my friends all about how vodka is made and the differences between bourbon and whiskey while they were trying to get drunk. The recipes were good, there’s certainly a lot of them. I only wish the glossary listed mixers to make it easier to find cocktails I could make.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I wanted to get my bartenders licensed and I thought that this might be helpful. Ray Foley does a thorough job of explaining how a specific type of alcohol is made and also its history. He also provides recipes and explains the proof of different alcoholic beverages. I found this book was helpful in answering a few of my questions.

Because this is an informational book there are no actual characters. The characters of this book are the audience of readers who are interested in becoming better bartenders.

This book is up to date with current law federal laws but not the states. Those you would have to look up on your own time.

The theme of this book is to teach the reader the proper ways to serve alcohol. They also tell the reader how to have a properly stocked bar in hopes that it will teach the reader to be a better bartender.

I found this book was very helpful, and I enjoyed reading about the history of some of the brewing process. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in becoming a bartender.

[Craig MacKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is by no means a definitive work on bartending. However, it is a good mix of information in a well-packaged format. There are tips on everything from setting up a home bar to types of glasses to, of course, an extensive recipe list of cocktails. There are a number of suggestions on saving money, because no home bar is going to have everything - the author points out the most common spirits and liquors you're likely to need for entertaining an average group of people, arranged by cost and numbers of guests.

The recipes are the heart of the book, with over 1000 different drinks. About half are shot recipes. There are also numerous variations on classics such as the margarita and the martini. These recipes include serving suggestions; for example, mint juleps should be served in metal glasses and proper preparation of a glass for a Bloody Caesar/Mary (rimmed with celery salt and lemon juice). The recipes are listed alphabetically by name, and there is an extensive index in the back by liquor type that is very helpful. Unfortunately, it is not cross-listed, so you'll find yourself flipping back and forth between the index and detailed recipes when looking for new drinks you can try with the ingredients you have on hand. There are also some recipes that are well-known to me that are missing from the book (e.g., Freight Train - Grand Marnier and Jack Daniels - or is this a Canadian drink that is uncommon in the U.S.?).

Finally, a word on what is not included in the book. While there are little blurbs on Scotch, wines, etc. (how they are made, some suggested common brands, etc.), there is very little on these except where they are also used in a mixed drink. Of course, wines and Scotches are such big areas in their own right that they have their own "Dummies" books.

[paigey :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

super educational and teaches everything you need to know about bartending in a easy way

[Jacob Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine. Very basic info. Lengthy recipe list

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the material was well-presented and comprehensible, though it is far outside of my normal area of expertise. I do think there were two weaknesses. One is that the section on wine was brief. The author admitted this and explained that it was because there is so much other information on wine out there, but it still seems like there could have been some useful information that would be helpful for working with customers to figure out what they want. Also the recipes section was very expansive, but I think a smaller section going over which recipes would be more important--like here are the classics, the basics--something like that.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, it had over 1,000 drink recipes. The book shows you how to make cocktails, punches,frozen beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, how to create your own concoctions and many other unique and fun ideas. I learned how to garish drinks with fruits, how to make lemon twists and how rim glasses. I also learned the history of different types of liquors and how they are made and how to use them in the right drinks. I learned what a proof is and if you don't know what a proof is then you should really read this book. I am so glad I won this firstreads giveaway.

[Tom Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all the "...for Dummies" books this one provides a basic introduction to its subject. I found the chapters on the origins and qualities of the various spirits rather interesting and the recipe section coveres all the bases. I've marked this book "Read" but honestly I'll probably never actually finish it as I will certainly come back to it time and again. The only detraction I might give is that it was geared more toward the aspiring barman than the average guy who just wants to learn how to mix a few good drinks for his own enjoyment, or for a small party.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned about lots of cocktails, I can tell you that! No, seriously, I wasn't intending on becoming a bartender when I picked up this book, most of which consists of hundreds of cocktail recipes organized by first initial. I was only intending on learning a little bit about how all the different alcohols are made, and what drinks they're used in. I'll be looking for a more thorough history of alcohols in the future.

[Hero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource! Bar Tending for Dummies covers basic knowledge questions (ex: whats the difference between scotch and bourbon?), how to stock a home bar, and recipes for 100's of tried and true cocktails. My favorite part? The index by ingredient; so I can find something to make even when all I've got is a bottle of creme de menthe and the remains of a hotel minibar.

[Runtel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Any guide that calls for sour mix should be passed by and this is no exception. The sections stocking a bar and planning for parties are worth a quick read but the rest is forgettable and done better elsewhere.

[Kami Toumey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful guide on the basics of mixing drinks for a beginner, perfect for myself. Looking forward to trying many of the 1000 mix drink recipes in the book!

[mohammadreza]

it guides you on the basics, it tells you the history of some cocktails, the planning for parties and the recipe sections are very useful