|
|
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A lip-smackin', thirst-quenching, hedonistic read - superb!, 21 Nov 2001
By A Customer
This is undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive volumes of all the books available on this subject!
The author, as is apparent from the introduction (the "aperitif"), is a fastidious mixologist himself and this is mirrored perfectly in the way he orders all his recipes into the appropriate sections. Shooters, long drinks, classic cocktails, fizzes and highballs, wine and champagne numbers, dairy delights, blended and hot drinks are just some of the categories into which they are arranged. Not only are you told, down to the last drops, dashes and splashes, the precise ingredients in the drinks you are concocting for yourself and your guests, but also the history and make-up of the most popular spirits informs you exactly what you are putting in them. No stone is left unturned as the author meticulously instructs the alchemist on what type of glass to utilise for every concoction, whether the ingredients should be shaken, stirred, poured or layered and which, if any, garnishes should be used to complement the finished product.
The glossary of well over 100 of the other less widely available drinks, although not as detailed, lists the alcohol by volume, country of origin, principal ingredients and overall taste of the spirits or liqueurs.
As far as the classic cocktails (Martinis, Daiquiris, Margaritas, Negronis, etc) are concerned, the history of each of these is listed with suitably scripted interesting and amusing anecdotes on each.
Definitions of all the liquid measures are also included, as well as descriptions and pictures of the various drinking vessels required for the complete barman.
Add to all this the fact that a great deal of satisfaction can be gleaned from tracking down even the most difficult to find ingredients and glasses, and you have a heady mixture of components resulting in an extremely tasty volume, which quenches anyone's thirst for enlarging their drinks cabinet and improving their cocktail know-how.
Cheers!
|
