A handsome and comprehensive bartending guide for professional and home bartenders that includes history, lore, and 115 recipes. The Essential Bar Book is full of indispensable information about everything boozy that’s good to drink. This easy-to-navigate A-to-Z guide covers it all, from the tools of the trade to the history and mythology behind classic and modern drinks, and features 115 recipes for the world’s most important cocktails.

"When she was found battered and bloodied in her Lincoln Phaeton convertible, authorities declared it suicide. Others called it murder. Thelma Todd, one of America's mpst popular comedians, was dead. And no one knew why. She was the blonde with style. The bombshell with the wisecrack. Thelma Todd wanted to be a schoolteacher :instead she became a star. She wanted to run a restaurant; instead she ran into the mob. In 1935 more than five hundred letters were sent to her weekly by fans. But the ones who attracted her most were dangerous men. More than fifty years after the notorious Thelma Todd murder case was closed, unsolved, Andy Edmonds fingers the killer."--Excerpt taken from the title page verso

This tour of early American alcohol shares recipes, “fun facts and anecdotes about our forefathers’ drinking habits with a 21-century sense of humor” (Chicago Tribune). In Colonial Spirits, legendary distiller Steven Grasse presents a historical manifesto on drinking, including 50 colonial era– inspired cocktail recipes. The book features a rousing timeline of colonial imbibing and a cultural overview of all kinds of alcoholic beverages: beer, rum and punch; temperance drinks; liqueurs and cordials; medicinal beverages; cider; wine, whiskey, bourbon and more. The book is spiced with delightful illustrations and liquored-up adages from our founding fathers. Grasse shares expert guidance on DIY home brewing, plus recipes like the Philadelphia Fish House Punch (a crowd pleaser!) and Snakebites (drink alone!). Hot beer cocktails and rattle skulls have never been so irresistible.

“An impassioned case against a senseless system . . . Come for the cocktail recipes, stay for the call to arms.” —Clay Risen, author of American Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rye “A potent, thought-provoking mixture of fun and ‘what the hell’ awareness.” —Lew Bryson, author of Whiskey Master Class Across this nation, in breweries, liquor stores, bars, and even our own homes, we’re being stripped of our most basic boozy rights. Thanks to Prohibition and its 100-year hangover, some of the most outdated, bizarre, and laughably loony laws still on the books today center around alcohol and how we drink it. In New Mexico, $1 margaritas are illegal. In Utah, cocktails must be mixed behind a barrier called the “Zion curtain.” And forget about happy hour in Massachusetts—the state banned it in 1984. But we don’t have to stand down and dry up—it’s time to take to liquid protest. Created by the nation’s leading alcohol policy expert, Give Me Liberty and Give Me a Drink! combines the thirst-inducing pleasure of trivia with 65 recipes for classic and innovative cocktails. So arm yourself with a mezcal-based One Pint, Two Pint, inspired by Vermont’s ban on beer pitchers, or The Boiling Point, a beer cocktail that is highly illegal in Virginia, and get ready to drink your way to a revolution on the rocks.

Explore the unique flavors of flowers. Elegant, edible flowers are becoming more accessible every day—and they taste as good as they look. This curated collection of 41 delightful recipes combine the playful creativity of fashion, the deliciousness of food, and the beauty of flowers in one gorgeous glass. Whether you're throwing a baby shower, hosting a Mother's Day brunch, celebrating a wedding, or simply entertaining guests, there's something for everyone, with our without alcohol, including: • Iced Lavender Café au Lait • Rose Petal Almond Milk • Dandelion Tea Cinnamon Cappuccino • Hibiscus Old Fashioned • Plum Rosewater Gin and Tonic • Orange Blossom Moscow Mule Learn how to create floral pantry item staples to create a scrumptious and sophisticated cocktail of your own, and embark on a new culinary adventure. This garden-party eye candy also includes practical tips on where to buy edible flowers, whether to choose fresh or dried flowers, how to grow edible flowers at home, and how to use florals in other recipes.

Hot Toddy takes place around the stunning mellow beaches of Santa Barbara, California. Maria Suarez, sixteen, loves her single, successful lawyer mother and yet, like so many teenagers, has already fallen into the trap of anorexia-bulimia while maintaining only satisfactory grades. She winds up dating the blond, congenial hunk Bradley Williams after meeting him and his brother Andy on the beach, when her sex drive suddenly becomes livid, passionate, and time-consuming. Several rendezvous, smoothies, and make out sessions later, her inability to give Brad her all apropos of what she is sexually inclined to do, though, enrages him and tempts him to date her school rival instead, who has no qualms about giving everything on the very first date! To the Latina schoolgirl's horror, the sensual, seductive, and viciously jealous vixen Jessica Scotch erects a fighting front against gentle Maria, wherewith strong words lead to gang rape, criminal violence, and suicide.

What could be more welcome on a cold wintry day than a hot drink with a kick. Whether you prefer a whisky-based toddy, aromatic mulled wine, coffee laced with a little brandy or a spiced tea, you'll find a tempting array of tasty and warming treats for every winter occasion in this collection of delicious recipes. Warming Toddies & Cocktails to try include Hot Tea Toddy; Hot Buttered Rum; and Blue Blazer. Mulls & Punches are perfect when entertaining a crowd - recipes include Orange Mulled Wine; Swedish Glogg; and Hot Rum and Cider Punch. Nogs & Creamy Drinks make an indulgent treat - choose from Egg Nog Latte; Honey Rum Baba; and Spiced Rum Chocolate. Tipsy Coffees include the classic Irish Coffee; Mocha Maple Coffee; and Caribbean Café. Finally, Non-alcoholic Warmers are perfect for drivers or when just relaxing at home - try an exotic Saffron Milk; Pumpkin Latte; or Indian Chai Masala. * Over 25 recipes for warming hot drinks - from festive party punches to cosy nightcaps, you'll find the perfect winter tipple here. * Makes the perfect festive stocking filler! * Features recipes by Louise Pickford, a best-selling author for Ryland Peters & Small.

From Tokyo to New York, a cocktail renaissance is happening as "bar chefs" create delicious elixirs worthy of their kitchen counterparts. An epicenter of this barroom artistry can be found at the Absinthe Brasserie & Bar in San Francisco (a city that spends more money per capita on alcohol than any other in the country). Bartenders Jeff Hollinger and Bob Schwartz share their artisan approach for stunning creations that unveil a new spectrum of flavors. Fresh herbs and even aromatic lavender are deftly used to augment classic and new cocktail recipes. Syrups and mixes are carefully crafted from scratch, ensuring small-batch perfection and a harmony of flavors. Acclaimed photographer Frankie Frankeny captures their virtuoso mixing performances with a refreshing take on the cocktail, creating a showpiece for any living room.

When the weather outside is frightful, what could be more delightful than a hot toddy? From the scent of nutmeg-laced hot buttered rum to the fizz of a poinsettia cocktail, there’s nothing like a classic winter drink to bring true festivity to the season. And it’s easy as pie—whipping up an eggnog from scratch is a whole lot simpler than cooking the perfect turkey, and your guests will appreciate the gesture as much as the taste. From spiced cider to champagne punch, Hot Toddies is the perfect little collection of winter refreshments, with fail-safe recipes that will make any holiday party shine. These delicious seasonal drink ideas are as perfect for wintertime as a cold smoothie is for summer. Rather than offering guests the same lackluster wine, heat it with sweet spices, spike it with Aquavit, and serve up an authentic Swedish glögg for some true Christmas spirit. Tempt friends with the luscious richness of chocolate eggnog, topped with real chocolate whipped cream. Curl up on a blustery winter’s day with a steamy, frothy Irish coffee, or combine apple cider, bourbon, and spices for a Thanksgiving Day batch of harvest moon punch. In addition to these flavorful recipes, useful tips on everything from keeping punch cold to stocking a bar will help you concoct special drinks all winter long—even the whole year round. Whether it’s a stocking stuffer, a hostess gift, or a great addition to your next holiday party, Hot Toddies is the perfect guide to celebrating the season.