amyk49's Full Review: Gary Regan - The Bartender's Bible: 1001 Mixed Dri...
This review is part of the "Cliche Soiree Write-Off" hosted by mind-full to celebrate her 2-year anniversary with Epinions. Please read on for more clichι phrases, and be sure and take a look at the other Epinions' talent listed at the end of this review who have thrown their hats into the write-off ring!
My other half and I had some of our bosom buddies over to chew the fat a while back, and as our partners in arms bellied up to the bar to ask for a cool one, we were able to come up with the goods just fine. Until, that is, one of our time honored guests requested "Elephant Lips."
Quick as a fox, hubby grabbed his trusty copy of The Bartender's Bible and looked up Elephant Lips in the handy dandy alphabetical index in the back. Well, sure as shootin' there it was:
ELEPHANT LIPS
1 1/2 ounces dark rum
1/2 ounce creme de bananes
1/2 ounce lemon juice
In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine all of the ingredients. Shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass.
As luck would have it, we didn't have any creme de bananes, and it would probably be a cold day in Hell before we ever do. My better half, cool as a cucumber, suggested instead "Flirting with the Sandpiper," which was found right smack dab next to Elephant Lips in the Bartender's Bible. The ingredients for each drink recipe are clear as a bell, so he was able to suggest Flirting with the Sandpiper because he could see right off the bat we had everything we needed:
FLIRTING WITH THE SANDPIPER
1 1/2 ounces light run
1/2 ounce cherry brandy
3 ounces orange juice
2 dashes orange bitters
Pour all of the ingredients into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well.
Bottom line, all our guests were as happy as a clam.
~ What is the Bartender's Bible?
This must-have little paperback book contains shot-by-shot recipes for 1001 mixed drinks and everything you need to know to stock and equip your bar.
The first chapter goes on about setting up your bar, what gadgets you should have on hand, what bar equipment might fit the ticket, types of glasses, and how to prepare perfect garnishes. This chapter describes liquors appropriate for a small bar, and what to add for a larger bar. Also included are suggestions for wines, beers, mixers, and condiments. Hey, you gotta keep that motley crew of friends and family happy, right? Oh, and there's also line-drawing illustrations for all of us newbies of things such as strainers, citrus reamers, champagne stoppers and the like, as well as different shaped glasses, such as a brandy snifter, cocktail glass, highball glass, old fashioned, etc. The drawings and illustrations make it all plain as day.
Each chapter that follows is dedicated to a particular type of spirit and the various drinks that can be made using it, along with a brief discussion of the source and history of that spirit. There are chapters on:
~ Bourbon
~ Brandy
~ Gin
~ Rum
~ Scotch
~ Tequila
~ Vodka
~ Whiskey
~ Tropical Drinks
~ Aperitifs
~ Cordials
~ Wine Drinks
~ Beer and Beer Concoctions
~ Hot Drinks
~ Party Punches
~ Nonalcoholic Drinks
~ Is it Easy to Use?
Easy as pie, my friends. If you know the name of the drink you'd like to make, The Bartender's Bible has an index that lists each drink by name alphabetically. Or, if you want to make something using rum, for instance, simply flip to the chapter on Rum, and choose from the many recipes of rum drinks. This book is a piece of cake to use.
~ Final Thoughts
The Bartender's Bible is everything it's cracked up to be, and your home bar wouldn't be complete without this indispensable reference. It was written for both professional and home use. It is encyclopedic in scope and filled with clear, simple instructions. Want to know how to make the perfect Martini? This book will tell you. Would you like to learn how to create a twist of lime? Just take a peek at the first chapter. Wondering what to do with those dusty old bottles of flavored liquers? There's more ideas than you can shake a stick at. And when you really want to put the moves on that hot date, you can ask her if she'd like Her Name In Lights:
HER NAME IN LIGHTS
1 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce yellow Chartreuse
2 teaspoons Galliano
2 teaspoons blue Curacao
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1 maraschino cherry
In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the vodka, Chartreuse, Galliano, Curacao, and lemon juice. Shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with the cherry.
Paperback - 386 pages
Author: Gary Regan
ISBN 0-06-109220-7
Published by HarperCollins
Remember: Friends do not let friends drive drunk. Do not drink and drive!
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