The expanded and revised edition of a new classic.
TITLE: Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails
SUBTITLE: Deluxe Edition Revised and Expanded
From The Alamagoozlum To The Zombie and Beyond
AUTHOR: Ted Haigh, AKA Dr. Cocktail
PUBLISHER: Quarry, 351 Pages
TYPE: Drinks Recipes
COST: $19.99
REVIEWED BY: Chris Carlsson, SpiritsReview.com
Designed from the get go by a graphic artist with full artistic control and an obsessive and loving attention to detail this book delights at least four of the five senses – okay, all five if you like the smell of good ink) done with exhaustive attention to subject material, layout, paper, printing and virtually every other aspect one could think of.
This is a must have classic tome on mixology and of course on classic mixology.
While there are many new reprints of classic bar and mixing manual today this one is especially useful from a practical and entertainment standpoint. The wire binding, relatively spill proof paper , backstories and type size/font make it extremely easy to read and use- unlike many of its competitors.
Covering 100 extremely hard to find but very worthwhile recipes and the back stories to regale your audience while preparing said recipes.
Almost every drink is given a short but interesting history / intro, then ingredients, directions, and photographs of the finished drink. Beautiful photos of period artwork and barware are sprinkled throughout the book adding further depth and visual delight.
Larger format (foolscap, octavo or about 8″ tall and 7″ wide) with a rarely seen (in drinks books past or present) decent wire binding so it stays open nicely with tasteful graphics, easy-to-read type fonts,and even a nicely retro cover and paper stock it sucessfully combines the practical the graphic designers art both in its content and production.
A lot of thought must have gone into not only the contents of the books but also the practical aspects of it. Built not only to please the eye and palette, it works well on a counter (or better yet behind one of those clear plastic book holders), laying flat, easy-to-read/consult, easy-to-wipe pages,and logically organized with a fine array of carefully chosen drinks.
While not as exhaustive as Dale’s DeGroff’s classic The Craft of the Cocktail: Everything You Need to Know to Make 500 of the World’s Best Drinks and Host Legendary Parties or Simon Diffords Diffords Guide. It is a precis on how to do the included cocktails properly and artfully.
Slightly larger squareish format and spiral binding makes it an easy it easy to prop open and or lie flat for consultation while mixing – excellent value for the money.
Overall rating | Value/price rating |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |