The Modern Mixologist: Contemporary Classic Cocktails Hardcover – Illustrated, March 2, 2010

I really enjoyed this book, especially as someone starting out on the classic cocktail journey - trying to reclaim the drinks of my youth that I've always maintained a preference for and experience the delicious variations that this modern resurgence of cocktails has brought to us. The book starts with not only a short and sweet history of important moments in the history of cocktails, it suggests further reading for those interested. What stuck with me most however were the six steps in "Art over Science" and the "Bringing it Home" section where we're encouraged to experiment, enjoy, and never be intimidated by something as pleasurable as a cocktail.For those of us with some experience (or with none) there is a very helpful section of tools and the reasons for their use, mixing techniques, and common terms found in recipes for cocktails. This is an invaluable resource, especially since there are helpful pictures throughout this section showing the tools used by Mr. Abou-Ganim, he even explains different glassware for your bar. This leads into information about each different spirit, a short history and use, infusions you can cheaply and decadently make for your own home, and ideas for what season fresh ingredients can be used in along with preparations and spirits that compliment them. This is another fantastic resource, giving us inspiration and a jumping off point for our own experiments in the world of cocktails.The actual recipes for drinks come 87 pages into the book, and they're not there too soon or too late. I found the first portion of The Modern Mixologist so important and needed that it could have been its own short book or fleshed out even more to become a separate and distinct guide to mixing a drink. The Apricot Julep was heavenly, simple, and frankly surprising since I am such a strong advocate of vodka. The Blugrass Cobbler was also just ridiculously good. By this point in the book, I was really feeling confident in my ability to make a good (or at least decent) cocktail and starting to understand the steps to making different types of drinks.I have to say my favorites are the Vanilla Gorilla, Zig Zag and the Tennessee Highball, I never would have had the confidence to make anything other than a few very basic cocktails at home if it weren't for this book. It made me so excited for the journey I am embarking upon, and raised my appreciation for the history and applications of different spirits immensely. I cannot even begin to fathom where I would be if it weren't for this book. It's a must read for the novice, or those who may have a lot of experience with the classics but are unsure of how to branch out to something different.

I got this for my mixologist-in-training (amateur) husband who owns as least 4 different cocktail/mixology books and receives IMBIBE magazine. He has met his match in this book! It has raised the bar! It has asked him to move beyond all of the information he has already absorbed on how to "construct" a cocktail to begin seeing cocktail-making as an art form. I would say it asks you to start seeing it as chemistry meets high cuisine in a glass. The author uses a grid to introduce each season's best ingredients and what liquors go best with them. He gives you ideas for what flavors pair well and he gives you all kinds of recipes. He also gives you a list of what tools you will need to make drinks from beginner level through advanced. It also has PICTURES PICTURES PICTURES... a beautiful book with lovely lessons, great info and delicious recipes. Well written- a great read for someone who is interested in learning more about drink making from scratch- even a beginner with curiosity will get the basics, including history of the cocktail and info on various spirits. I wouldn't recommend it for someone who just wants a cocktail recipe book-- you'll be asked to buy WAY too many obscure and expensive liquors and ingredients for the new and inventive drink recipes provided! Get a basic book and once you feel bored, move on to something like this :)

I like this book for the education it provides. The author goes into the history of cocktail making, the tools and principles of mixing cocktails. The author also provides recipes, but the disappointing thing is the ingredients of the recipes. You cannot just find them in just any liquor store. That is why I gave it 3 stars.

I finally received my copy of The Modern Mixologist yesterday and devoured it in one sitting. It is absolutely the soul of Tony. On almost every page we find "the warm welcome and extension of self" that Mario Batali speaks of in the forward.The book unfolds with wonderfully simple step by step logic that will lead the reader to cocktail expertise, and along the way there are plenty of pictures that elicit over and over again the words, "oh...now I get it!". The quotes capture the reader immediately and most will, like I did, page forward in search of them.Tony has made every classic cocktail his own. We already have too many recipes books to tell us the "right" way or the "correct" recipes for them. The original cocktails are absolutely scrumptious and I admit to an advantage because I have already had the good fortune to taste many. One Tony classic, the Cable Car, is already a "modern classic" and will live on in books and cocktail menus long after our time.The cocktails are filled with Ferrari parts! Sorry folks you're gonna need a close read to get that one. They are overflowing with freshness in ingredients and ideas and are as welcome as a summer breeze. I gotta quit now and get to the bar and make myself a drink!Cheers to a triumphDale DeGroff