Overview
"No one seems to tire of cocktail lore and The Cocktail Handbook just keeps dishing it out."—Market Watch
They're fun to mix and fun to drink—these more than 140 cocktails and mixed drinks range from classics such as the Martini and the Bloody Mary to exciting, fiery little shooters like "Love Bite" and "Cactus Flower." This definitive guide, chock full of witty quotes and photos, looks back at the history of cocktail making, highlights world-famous bars and bartenders, and offers invaluable ideas for stocking your own bar; hangover cures for the overindulgent; and nonalcoholic versions for drivers, children, and nondrinkers. But the recipes are the pièces de résistance, and they include the Sidecar, Widow's Kiss, Singapore Sling, Volga Boatman, Rattlesnake, and Death in the Afternoon—a champagne-based treat. Along with the instructions for whipping up these delicious drinks, there are entertaining accounts of their origins and suggestions for garnishes.