Comments on: The Craft of the Cocktail: Everything You Need to Know to Be a Master Bartender, with 500 Recipes http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html Cocktail books and more Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:02:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: C Yu http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html/comment-page-1/#comment-25 C Yu Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:52:22 +0000 http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html#comment-25 This book is one of the top drink mixing resources for the home bartender. Mr. DeGroff's approach to bartending is a culinary one; at his bar, taste is king, with restrained but elegant garniture. The book is loosely organized alphabetically by drink name, but there are subsections that deal with drinks thematically. One of my favorite "featurettes" is his idea for a Bloody Mary Buffet, where guests create their own beverages. Little touches like these make this book ideal for the home bartender wanting to throw an elegant occasion. <br>The elegant layout somewhat masks the thoroughly researched nature of the work-- a look at the bibliography reveals a goodly number of cocktail books that could represent a good history of beverage-craft in the United States.<br>An excellent book. This book is one of the top drink mixing resources for the home bartender. Mr. DeGroff’s approach to bartending is a culinary one; at his bar, taste is king, with restrained but elegant garniture. The book is loosely organized alphabetically by drink name, but there are subsections that deal with drinks thematically. One of my favorite “featurettes” is his idea for a Bloody Mary Buffet, where guests create their own beverages. Little touches like these make this book ideal for the home bartender wanting to throw an elegant occasion.
The elegant layout somewhat masks the thoroughly researched nature of the work– a look at the bibliography reveals a goodly number of cocktail books that could represent a good history of beverage-craft in the United States.
An excellent book.

]]> By: Beatrice Izzey http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Beatrice Izzey Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:52:22 +0000 http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html#comment-26 He really pares it down to the essentials. Book proved to me that there is value in having an experienced bartender curate the cocktail experience and speak to the craft and history behind each recipe. I used to think you can find any drink recipe for free on the Internet, but now I know it's a pain to sift through unedited or plainly bad recipes. What drinkers need is a curator, someone who knows what works. This book is it. <br /> <br />My one issue with this book is big: it's that there is no by ingredient recipe index. When I just got a bottle of special liquor, I can't just look up all the recipes that feature that ingredient. For that kind of search, I still go to the Internet. He really pares it down to the essentials. Book proved to me that there is value in having an experienced bartender curate the cocktail experience and speak to the craft and history behind each recipe. I used to think you can find any drink recipe for free on the Internet, but now I know it’s a pain to sift through unedited or plainly bad recipes. What drinkers need is a curator, someone who knows what works. This book is it.

My one issue with this book is big: it’s that there is no by ingredient recipe index. When I just got a bottle of special liquor, I can’t just look up all the recipes that feature that ingredient. For that kind of search, I still go to the Internet.

]]> By: Hilary A. Forbes http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Hilary A. Forbes Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:52:22 +0000 http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html#comment-27 Yes, I know craft is spelled with a C, but a friendly and adorable neighborhood bartender is the one who introduced me and a friend to the book. When I read the cocktail napkin later in the evening, I noticed he spelled craft with a K. It just stuck. <br /> <br />A month later this same friend and I purchased it for each other and could not have been happier with the book. We use it as a reference book and to create fun drinks around party themes. It has recipes for drinks many other books do not include. The historical notes and stories make it a pleasure to read. <br /> <br />If you would like to make a good drink and don't have time to attend a class, or just want some support once you are at home, this is a fantastic book to have in your library. <br /> Yes, I know craft is spelled with a C, but a friendly and adorable neighborhood bartender is the one who introduced me and a friend to the book. When I read the cocktail napkin later in the evening, I noticed he spelled craft with a K. It just stuck.

A month later this same friend and I purchased it for each other and could not have been happier with the book. We use it as a reference book and to create fun drinks around party themes. It has recipes for drinks many other books do not include. The historical notes and stories make it a pleasure to read.

If you would like to make a good drink and don’t have time to attend a class, or just want some support once you are at home, this is a fantastic book to have in your library.

]]> By: Anonymous http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Anonymous Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:52:22 +0000 http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html#comment-28 I agree with everyone else's praise for this book. It's definitely my "desert island" cocktail book. There are many bad cocktail books out there, there are a few good cocktail books, but this is the only "great" cocktail book. <p>My only gripe is the index is not thorough enough to look up drinks by ingredient. For instance, you can't look up Benedictine and find all drink recipes containing that ingredient. I agree with everyone else’s praise for this book. It’s definitely my “desert island” cocktail book. There are many bad cocktail books out there, there are a few good cocktail books, but this is the only “great” cocktail book.

My only gripe is the index is not thorough enough to look up drinks by ingredient. For instance, you can’t look up Benedictine and find all drink recipes containing that ingredient.

]]> By: S.Vinod Babu http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html/comment-page-1/#comment-29 S.Vinod Babu Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:52:22 +0000 http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html#comment-29 Miles away in India, I use Dale's ideas and practices to give the best to my Coustomers. A must read for all kinds of bartenders. This book is the "Bagavat Geetha" of Bartending Miles away in India, I use Dale’s ideas and practices to give the best to my Coustomers. A must read for all kinds of bartenders. This book is the “Bagavat Geetha” of Bartending

]]> By: Cheryl Charming http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Cheryl Charming Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:52:22 +0000 http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html#comment-30 Every serious bartender should have this book in his or her collection. It's sleek modern meets art deco with its arsty type and angled text. Also, the most famous bartender in America of the wrote it. <br /> <br />Cheryl Charming <br /> Every serious bartender should have this book in his or her collection. It’s sleek modern meets art deco with its arsty type and angled text. Also, the most famous bartender in America of the wrote it.

Cheryl Charming

]]> By: G. Roukas http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html/comment-page-1/#comment-31 G. Roukas Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:52:22 +0000 http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html#comment-31 I took a course with Dale and found out first hand what it takes to make a truly great cocktail--and found out how bad most cocktails in bars really are. This book not only tells how to create really memorable drinks for yourself and guests, it also delves into the history of the various spirits and how they've been combined by savvy bartenders to create classics old and new. I've read through it several times, lapping up classics like the sidecar and DeGroff signature drinks like the Ritz. If you like cocktails, this is an amazing book. Nobody cares about getting the best results like Dale. I took a course with Dale and found out first hand what it takes to make a truly great cocktail–and found out how bad most cocktails in bars really are. This book not only tells how to create really memorable drinks for yourself and guests, it also delves into the history of the various spirits and how they’ve been combined by savvy bartenders to create classics old and new. I’ve read through it several times, lapping up classics like the sidecar and DeGroff signature drinks like the Ritz. If you like cocktails, this is an amazing book. Nobody cares about getting the best results like Dale.

]]> By: Christopher Carlsson http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Christopher Carlsson Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:52:22 +0000 http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html#comment-32 Nicely done in both material and layout. Definitions/explanations of various spirits,short but interesting history/intros on the different types of drinks and 500 well considered recipes with ingredients, directions, etc. Also there is a lot of good tips,techniques and advice on how to make and present the drinks listed in the book. <br />Larger format (quarto or about 10 1/2" Tall and 8" wide) with a rarely seen (in drinks books past or present) decent binding so it stays open nicely with tasteful graphics,easy to read type fonts,etc.,. A fair amount of planning and thought organization and editing must have gone into not only the contents of the books but also the practical aspects of it. Works well on a counter,(or better yet behind one of those clear plastic book holders to be safe),laying flat, easy to read/consult,easy to wipe pages and easy to find recipes. <br />An excellent book to buy and read,(and then practice) before you read Dales other soon to be classic book : The Essential Cocktail: The Art of Mixing Perfect Drinks a precis on how to do the included cocktails properly and artfully. <br />Slightly larger squareish format makes it an easy it easy to prop open for consultation while mixing - Hell of a lot better than those tiny Mr Boston books or those compendiums of 1000+ drinks recipes in a small format that are hard to read and full of undrinkable cocktails. Nicely balanced mix of information,entertainment and utility Nicely done in both material and layout. Definitions/explanations of various spirits,short but interesting history/intros on the different types of drinks and 500 well considered recipes with ingredients, directions, etc. Also there is a lot of good tips,techniques and advice on how to make and present the drinks listed in the book.

Larger format (quarto or about 10 1/2″ Tall and 8″ wide) with a rarely seen (in drinks books past or present) decent binding so it stays open nicely with tasteful graphics,easy to read type fonts,etc.,. A fair amount of planning and thought organization and editing must have gone into not only the contents of the books but also the practical aspects of it. Works well on a counter,(or better yet behind one of those clear plastic book holders to be safe),laying flat, easy to read/consult,easy to wipe pages and easy to find recipes.

An excellent book to buy and read,(and then practice) before you read Dales other soon to be classic book : The Essential Cocktail: The Art of Mixing Perfect Drinks a precis on how to do the included cocktails properly and artfully.

Slightly larger squareish format makes it an easy it easy to prop open for consultation while mixing – Hell of a lot better than those tiny Mr Boston books or those compendiums of 1000+ drinks recipes in a small format that are hard to read and full of undrinkable cocktails. Nicely balanced mix of information,entertainment and utility

]]> By: Anonymous http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Anonymous Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:52:22 +0000 http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html#comment-33 First of all, I am just a pretender, and I have no intention of ever becoming a professional bartender. With that said, this is definitely one of the best books I have picked up, and definitely the best bartender book I have ever seen. It contains vivid pictures of everything that Mr. Degroff is trying to explain and he gives great tips on everything from knowing what glassware and alcohols to have in your bar to unbelievable mix drink recipies. For those who do not drink, it even contains an unbelievable non-alcholic drink (the citrius cream). This book also makes a great coffee table book. Vistors that come by cannot keep their hands off of it! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to bartend for fun or professionally. First of all, I am just a pretender, and I have no intention of ever becoming a professional bartender. With that said, this is definitely one of the best books I have picked up, and definitely the best bartender book I have ever seen. It contains vivid pictures of everything that Mr. Degroff is trying to explain and he gives great tips on everything from knowing what glassware and alcohols to have in your bar to unbelievable mix drink recipies. For those who do not drink, it even contains an unbelievable non-alcholic drink (the citrius cream). This book also makes a great coffee table book. Vistors that come by cannot keep their hands off of it! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to bartend for fun or professionally.

]]> By: E. Kamen http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html/comment-page-1/#comment-34 E. Kamen Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:52:22 +0000 http://marketfreshmixology.com/the-craft-of-the-cocktail-everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-master-bartender-with-500-recipes.html#comment-34 This book is so elegantly put together! Great for the serious bartender who likes to know a lot about the tools he is working with. The drink list is plentiful. This item has a lot of flair for those looking to impress with some cool cocktails. This book is so elegantly put together! Great for the serious bartender who likes to know a lot about the tools he is working with. The drink list is plentiful. This item has a lot of flair for those looking to impress with some cool cocktails.

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