Herbst - The ultimate guide to pitcher drinks: cool cocktails for a crowd

o doubt about it, cocktails stimulate good times, animate parties, and break the ice. But who wants to miss out on the fun by mixing drinks, one by one? Well, that's a no-brainer. We'd all rather be partying with our friends. Which is why making and serving drinks in a pitcher is an idea whose time has comein fact, it's way overdue.

Pitcher drinks are stylish, fun, and easy, take the angst out of entertaining, and add sass and spontaneity to gatherings large and small. Bottom line: A premixed pitcher of spirited refreshment is a huge asset to any party.

The Ultimate Guide to Pitcher Drinks has over 155 lively pitcher-drink recipes ranging from high- to low-alcohol and even a few buzz-free libations. In these pages, you'll find recipes for classics like Martinis and Manhattans, newer favorites like Kamikazes and Mudslides, soothing sips like Summer Hummer and Muchas Smoochas, tropical tempters like Cosmic Coconut and Rum Rush, sparklers like Brandied Apple Fizz and French Flirt, international raves from Brazil's Caipirinha to Cuba's Mojito, sweet treats such as Banana Split and Green Genie, and colorful concoctions like Liquid Oxygen and DjBlue. There's something here for every mood and every partythe only equipment you need is a pitcher and a long-handled spoon and you're in business.

Besides great recipes, this book has loads of tips on techniques, ingredients, equipment, glassware, garnishes, measurements, responsible drinking, and hangover helpers (no, Virginia, there is no cure). Plus, there's a chapter on party-food ideas for people who don't like to cook.

The Ultimate Guide to Pitcher Drinks is the ideal book for today's easy entertaining. It has all the ingredients anyone needs to create a fantastic pitcher-perfect party. Add a new dimension to entertaining and become a twenty-first-century host with these fun and spirited pitcher drinks. They'll be the hit of the party and the party will positively be a hit with your friends.

Cheers!

SPECIAL DRINK-RELATED SECTIONS ARE INCLUDED to give your pitcher drinks pizzazz: Bar Banter: Ingredients and Terms (pages 733); Pitcher-Drink Stuff: EquipmentGadgets, Gizmos, and Glass-ware (pages 3541); Doin' the Twist: Garnishes and Other Fandangos (pages 4353); Measuring Up: Measurement Equivalents (pages 5557); When the Spirits Move You: How to Light Up the Party Without Getting Lit (pages 5963); and Tipsy Turvy: Hangover Helpers (pages 6567). There's also a chapter on party food for people who don't like to cookEffortless Eats (pages 181198).

CROSS-REFERENCES are indicated by SMALL CAPITALS, pointing to the definitions in Bar Banter (pages 733).

DIRECTORY OF DRINKS BY C ATEGORY (pages 7075) gives you at-a-glance access to recipes by style and potency. The headings are: Classic Cocktails and Drinks, Popular Favorites, Tropical Tempters, Sparkling Sippers, Dessert in a Glass, Potent Concoctions (High Alcohol), In the Mood (Moderate Alcohol), Easy Does It (Low to Moderate Alcohol), and Buzz-Free Zone (Liquor-Free).