Cocktail books

Batched & Bottled

It can be tedious to hold a party for friends and acquaintances when you have to spend the evening behind the bar. However, there is a solution to this, because you can make your cocktails in advance and that is what the book Batched & Bottled is about. The book is a reference work with 50 recipes divided into the seasons. In addition to regular cocktails, such as Mojito and Old Fashioned, the book also contains a lot of cocktails that are the authors' own creations.

Although the book does not contain specific sections on theory and techniques, there are little tricks and tricks hidden in the various recipes that definitely make it worth reading. In addition, the pictures in the book are extremely inviting, so you are really inspired to try it all out.

Cocktail Codex

This book is the sequel to Death & Co, where the authors once again share their great knowledge and passion within cocktails. The authors start the book by explaining that there are only 6 basic recipes from which all other cocktails can be derived. The explanation follows, of course, and forms the basis for the authors to explain why some cocktails work and why others don't. Among the more than 350 recipes in the book, the authors diligently share tips and tricks so you can make the best cocktails.

Throughout the book, there is no doubt that the authors have taken inspiration from Dave Arnold's Liquid Intelligence. The book touches on very technical methods by which you can get the most out of your ingredients, such as the use of a centrifuge and sous vide.

Cocktail Codex is highly recommended to all cocktail bartenders who want to take their skills to the next level. The book provides good inspiration and motivation for your own experiments.

Death & Co

Modern classic cocktails

Get an insight into one of the world's best cocktail bars and the bartenders who serve it. The Death & Co cocktail bar opened in 2006 and since then they have won quite a few accolades, e.g. “World's Best Cocktail Menu” in 2010 at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. The book starts with a reasonable review of the theory of everything you need, e.g. bar equipment, methods, different types of spirits, etc., after which the book runs through their impressive catalog of over 500 cocktails and how they are made.

The book is a must-have for the experienced bartender. Some of the descriptions in the book run a little too quickly over the details, and it can therefore be an advantage to have a foundation as a bartender before you get started with the book.

Drunken Botanist

The book's title is very apt, as the book contains in-depth descriptions of the theory and history behind each plant that could have something to do with spirits.

All spirits originate from fermentation, where yeast converts sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. However, it is not a given where this sugar comes from and this is one of the reasons why we have a multitude of different types of spirits today. Drunken Botanist helps to give an insight into how these different types of spirits differ from each other already during fermentation. Sprinkled throughout, we find cocktail recipes that fit into the narrative. All in all, a very sensible book that underpins the bartender's basic knowledge.

Liquid Intelligence

The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail

How does a scientist make cocktails? This is exactly the answer that you get in the book Liquid Intelligence. Dave Arnold explains his different techniques for extracting the best flavor from different ingredients, where he goes to the bottom and explains exactly how his techniques produce the best result. It was in his book I first learned about using saline solution in cocktails. In any case, there is no doubt at all that Dave Arnold is a passionate bartender when you read his book. If you are into the scientific and geeky approach, or just need an excuse to buy a centrifuge for the home bar, then the book is absolutely perfect for you.

PS: He ends the book by describing how he would make the perfect gin and tonic.