Table of Contents
Guide
Photographs John Kernick
COCKTAILS
There is something so satisfying about shaking up a frosty combination
of spirits, ice, and mixers and creating a magical concoction. Whether youre
sipping a refreshing mix of gin and citrus on a summer night or warming
up with a cozy combination of bourbon and vanilla at a holiday gathering,
cocktails turn any occasion into a festive one.
This indispensable guide contains all the tips and tools needed to master the
art of creating cocktails at home, from choosing the right glass to mastering
party-ready ice cubes. Learn the formula for crafting the perfect cocktail with
more than 40 new recipes that marry modernity with tradition. Enjoy a Lime
& Thyme Gin Fizz () to unwind after a long day or make a big bowl
of Cranberry-Tequila Punch () for your next fte. And no cocktail hour
would be complete without tempting bar snacksBrown Butter & Rosemary
Popcorn (), and Crispy Curried
Chickpeas () bring delicious flavors and crunch to any drinks gathering.
Todays inspired flavor combinations bring a contemporary profile to our
favorite cocktails that is contributing to a new and intensely flavorful era
of mixed drinks. Our collection of timeless recipes, paired with our guide to
essential bar tools and glassware, top-notch ingredients, and garnish options,
will get you on your way to mastering mixology. With this inspiring handbook
on the bar, youll be mixing up the perfect cocktail for every season, occasion,
and mood. Cheers!
COCKTAIL HOUR
Ice Bucket & Tongs
Ice Pick
Channel
Knife
TOOLS OF
THE TRADE
Having a good selection of tools
on hand will up your cocktail
game and spruce up your home
bar. Find a complete guide to
the essentials on page 8.
Bar Spoons
Julep Strainer
Cocktail Picks
Hawthorne
Strainer
Mixing Glass
Cocktail
Napkins
Corkscrew Wine
Opener
Glass Cocktail
Shaker
Stainless Steel
Cocktail Shaker
Jigger
Bar Spoons
Dripless Bottle
Pourer
Measuring
Cup
M
easuring
Spoons
JUICERS
Essential for preparing drinks with fresh citrus,
juicers come in many shapes and sizes. A hand-
held citrus squeezer is great for lemons and limes,
while a citrus reamer is ideal for bigger citrus fruits
like grapefruits and oranges. Juicers work well for
both fruits and vegetables.
JIGGER
This small liquid measurement tool comes in both
an hourglass shape () and a small measuring
cup stylethe former best for speed, the latter
for precision.
MUDDLER
Use this baseball batshaped tool for crushing
fruits, herbs, and sugar cubes. Look for ones made
of solid wood with a flat head and long enough
to clear the edge of the glass.
BAR SPOON
This long-handled spoon is also known as a
cocktail or mixing spoon. It is used to stir drinks
in a pitcher or shaker, or for crushing sugar, fruits,
or herb leaves.
CHANNEL KNIFE
The v-shaped blade on this stout bar knife cuts
long thin strips of citrus for use as a garnish.
SHAKER
No bar would be complete without this iconic tool
that provides the double function of mixing and
chilling. A cocktail shaker quickly and effectively
cools down and mixes cocktail ingredients, but
also develops texture in the finished drink.
Boston Shaker A two-part shaker consisting of a
pint glass or metal cup and metal canister. Place
ingredients in the pint glass or cup, secure the
metal canister firmly on top to create a seal, then
turn and shake. Strain the drink from the metal
canister into a glass.
Cobbler Shaker
A three-part shak
er with a built-in
strainer and snug-fitting top.
STRAINER
This useful addition to your home bar keeps ice
and other solid ingredients inside a shaker when
youre pouring the cocktail into a glass.
Hawthorne Strainer The coiled springs around the
rim of this basic cocktail strainer ensure a snug fit
with most canisters and glasses, making it a good
choice for either shaken or stirred drinks.
Julep Strainer
The r
ound, perforated bowl of this
cocktail strainer looks like an oversized slotted
spoon and works well for stirred drinks.
ESSENTIAL BAR TOOLS
When creating a cocktail, begin with high-quality ingredients and a well-stocked
bar. Beyond those basics, these indispensable tools will set you up with everything
you need to bartend with ease and success.
MARTINI GLASS
Use this James Bondworthy glass for any drink
served up (chilled, then strained).
Cocktail pairing: Pomegranate Martini ()
ROCKS GLASS
Also known as an old-fashioned glass, this short
and stocky tumbler is used primarily for drinks
served on the rocks (over ice).
Cocktail pairing: Grapefruit & Sage Gimlet ()
HIGHBALL
This tall glass keeps bubbles intact, so its perfect
for drinks with carbonation served over ice.
Cocktail pairing: Strawberry-Lillet Vodka Soda ()
COLLINS GLASS
Taller and narrower than a highball glass, this is
named for the Tom Collins cocktail and is ideal
when a tall and frosty glass is desired.
Cocktail pairing: Elderflower-Rose Collins ()
COUPE GLASS
The shallow, broad bowl of this design is ideal
for shaken or stirred cocktails that are strained
into a glass with no ice.
Cocktail pairing: Tarragon Negroni ()
CHAMPAGNE FLUTE
The tall, slender bowl of this romantic glass
showcases and preserves the effervescence
of any sparkling drink.
Cocktail pairing: French 75 with Lavender
& Lemon ()
JULEP CUP
Although this gleaming silver cup is designed for
mint juleps, it works well with any drink that has
crushed ice, as the metal material helps to keep
the drink cold.
Cocktail pairing: Basil Julep ()
COPPER MUG
This elegant mug is typically used for Moscow
mules, but is well suited for any drink with ice
and soda.
Cocktail pairing: Meyer LemonRosemary Moscow Mule
()
PUNCH BOWL
This big glass or other nonreactive bowl
is great for entertaining and big parties.
Cocktail pairing: Cranberry-Tequila Punch
()
GUIDE TO GLASSWARE
The shape of the glass affects both the flavor and aroma of a drink, not to mention
the final presentation. Use the guide below to make the best selection for every
cocktail.To help keep iced drinks cold, chill glasses before pouring.
Martini Glass
Coupe Glass
Julep Cup
Collins
Glass
RAISE
A GLASS
Choosing the right glass is
key for both presentation and
