The Gaelic word for whisky is Uisge beatha, translated literally as 'water of life'. That is as a good a starting place as any to enjoy whisky, as a connoisseur, taster or just an occasional tippler. This beautifully produced volume, Scotch Whisky: The Essential Guide for Single Malt Lovers goes on an incredible journey around Scotland and back in time too. Written by a Scotsman who considers it a blessing to grow up with Scotch whisky, you will learn about the history of whisky distillation, the famous men whose passion can be found in their special malts, and take tours of the main whisky regions, including the Western Isles, Speyside, Highlands, Lowlands, and Campbeltown, visiting some of the greatest names in the production of Scotch, The Glenlivet, Ardbeg, Glenmorangie, Balvenie, Talisker - other brands (more than 100 of them) are available. Written with a passion and love for the subject Scotch Whisky: The Essential Guide for Single Malt Lovers is complemented by stunning photographs, maps and artworks. It make this superb book a unique insight into Scotch whisky, one of the world's most loved drinks.

Tequila Mockingbird captured the attention of audiences everywhere with its clever commentary, hilarious puns, and delicious drink recipes. Now you can log your books read and drinks made with these two 48-page hardcover log books enclosed in an elegant slip-case with a belly band and including a sprinkling of Lauren Mortimer's brilliant duo-toned illustrations throughout.

The World of Cognac is a carefully researched study about the history and culture of Cognac - the most revered spirit in the world. Ranging from historical brandy anecdotes dating back to the 7th century all the way up to our modern-day cocktail culture, this is cognac's story. The author explains where cognac originates from, how it's made, the people involved, as well as the classification and age, the art of tasting and most importantly of all, choosing and storing one's cognac. A comprehensive list of cognac houses are featured, providing an informative overview of many of the brands and a selection of their current products. 'Cognac is not a fashion product. It will not be popular today, then forgotten tomorrow. It's an integral part of the lives of people in many countries, in many social environments.' Jean-Paul Camus, House of Camus

Cocktails is your award-winning guide to the art of mixing perfect drinks. Should a martini be shaken or stirred? How do you muddle an impeccable mojito? Find the answers to all your cocktail questions and learn the secrets behind classic drinks with award-winning mixologist Klaus St Rainer as your guide, using ingredients including juices, sugar, syrup, rum, champagne, and even that bottle of Chartreuse left over from Christmas. Try new twists on classic cocktail recipes, and create your own extraordinary mixes. From sophisticated champagne cocktails to spectacular concoctions such as hot buttered coconut rum, you'll find delicious drinks for every occasion. Impress your friends, shake things up, and mix creative twists on your favourite cocktails with this stunning book. Perfect for every aspiring mixologist or cocktail enthusiast, Cocktails is a truly indispensable and stylish guide to the art of mixing great drinks.

The UK's "gin renaissance" has been underway for several years as tastes and drinking habits have changed. Once dubbed "Mother's ruin," gin sales topped 1 billion for the first time in 2015 as younger drinkers flocked to a new generation of artisanal distilleries. With so many brands now on the market, a little guidance is surely required. Make Something Bloody Marvellous is bursting with more than 50 unique gin cocktail recipes and photographs for every occasion. Learn the skills of the bespoke bartender and stir up some truly exquisite concoctions using Jam Jar Gin and authentic home-grown ingredients. Beautifully finished to a high standard, it's nothing short of top-shelf.

Japanese whisky is now hailed as among the very best in the world, having won scores of international accolades. In 2014 a Japanese whisky finally won the title of World's Best Whisky in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible and the art continues to thrive as demand across the globe grows. With Japanese whisky consistently outscoring established distilleries in blind tastings and awards, this well-timed book brings to life a whisky that is rapidly capturing the hearts of even diehard traditionalists and becoming sought after in bars across the world.

When it comes to boozy beverages, vodka is the undisputed king. From the Bloody Mary to the Moscow Mule, vodka is the alcoholic chameleon that is the base of many of the world's most beloved cocktails. In Vodka: Shake, Muddle, Stir, Dan Jones introduces readers to some fun and classy ways to consume this cherished tipple.

Starting with the basic kit for your home bar, and following with the best vodka-makers on the planet, this book will have you shopping for your bartending tools like a pro. With more Martini and Cosmopolitan recipes than you can shake a cocktail shaker at, as well as a glut of amazing cocktails you have never even heard of, this is a collection that will enhance your drink repertoire forever.

Including recipes for DIY syrups, sours, infusions and more,Vodka: Shake, Muddle, Stir will show you just how versatile this timeless liquor is.

A tasteless, odourless and colourless liquid, vodka is the most versatile of spirits. It can be transformed into a classic cocktail; turned into a refreshing drink when combined with fruit juice, tonic water, or ginger beer; or is a powerful beverage in its own right, taken neat and swallowed in one gulp, Russian style. Vodka has endured many obstacles, continuing to flourish despite the American Prohibition and a ban in Russia on the eve of World War One. As one saying suggests, it has engrained itself in Russian society: 'the poor drink when they can and the rich when they want'. Patricia Herlihy provides an engaging account of the rise of vodka from its mysterious origins in a Slavic country in the fourteenth century, to its present day transatlantic reign across Europe and North America. Vodka: A Global History describes vodka's complete history, from its emergence in Eastern Europe to its future as a global beverage, spreading into emerging markets across the world. Attractively illustrated with photographs, paintings and graphic art, this title will appeal to vodka drinkers and cocktail fans, as well as any reader with an interest in the story of how a simple spirit has become an international industry.

With a small, 0.5-liter distiller, you can easily create fine brandies, whiskies, and even essential oils in your own kitchen. In this detailed how-to book, learn the tools, techniques, and safe procedures to distill raw natural materials for a variety of applications. Also included is a useful guide that explains what plants to use for different purposes; a look at the various types of stills; and a detailed, step-by-step treatment of mashing, fermenting, distilling, and refining spirits. Complete with a guide to distilling essential oils and their benefits and tips and tricks for troubleshooting and avoiding common pitfalls, this is the ideal companion for the home distiller.

Explore the most popular hotspots, tube stops, and drinks that London has to offer. From classy rooftop bars to eccentric, hidden watering holes, take a tour through London's diverse cocktail scene with this guide. Discover the unique character of each location and the signature recipes from these venues. You will feel like you're really there long before you order your first drink. Inside you'll find: - 50 bar profiles and bartender highlights - Beautifully illustrated pages that showcase the heart of each location - Background on the bustling history of the London bar scene Never be without a drink with recipes from timeless locations and profiles on some of the best bartenders you've never heard of. Bring London's charm to your home bar anywhere in the world. You'll find yourself right at home with Drink Like a Local London.

Warm up this winter with the toastiest of tipples 'Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to celebrate than to welcome your guests in from the cold with a tasty tipple? With easy-to-follow recipes for Pumpkin Spiced Russians, Buttered Bonfire Rum, Sleighbell Slings, Happy New Years, the trusty classics, and plenty of non-alcoholic options too, you'll be feeling festive AF all winter. Carve the pumpkins, stack the bonfire, deck the halls, and let's get merry!

The Essential Bartending Crash Course
Do you know how to set up a full bar for that party you're having? How much vermouth to use when your first guest requests a "dry martini on the rocks?" How to measure out a shot of alcohol using the three-count method?
You'll find the answers to all of these questions and much more in this indispensable guide. Rather than teaching you recipes for drinks you've never heard of and will never have to make, the authors focus on the fundamentals of bartending--using the tools, learning the terminology and drink mnemonics, and setting up for a cocktail party. This book will transform the most ignorant imbiber into a sauce-slinger extraordinaire, ready to go out and bartend recreationally or professionally.
This guide includes:
-Basic bar setups, tools, and helpful techniques
-Hundreds of recipes for the most popular drinks and punches, from chocolate martinis to salty dogs
-New chapters featuring everything a bartender needs to know about beer and wine
-A new and improved guide to throwing a fabulous cocktail party
-Hints on finding a bartending job
-Diagrams, illustrations, and many useful tips throughout.

Mother's Milk or Blue Ruin, Dutch Courage or Cuckold's Comfort - the fanciful nicknames that gin has acquired only hint at its colourful story. The story begins with the aromatic juniper berry originally used by the Dutch to flavour the whisky-like genever. The drink then made its way to Britain, where cheap imitations laced with turpentine and other caustic fillers made it the drink of choice for poor eighteenth-century Londoners. Eventually replaced by the sweetened Old Tom style and then by London Dry, gin was introduced to the wider world by means of the British Empire, and during the Jazz Age became a mainstay of a new drinking culture: the cocktail. Today classic cocktails like the Gimlet and the Negroni are embraced by drinkers who enjoy a new breed of modern gins, and gin has reclaimed pride of place in the world of mixology. Gin: A Global History will attract both cocktail aficionados and lovers of food history as it chronicles gin's evolution from cheap liquor to modern alcoholic marvel.

Try one of the 50 recipes perfected by some of the world's best bartenders, and discover the fascinating story of the ingredient behind every well-made drink.   A classic cocktail relies on relatively few ingredients so every element has to be just right. Bitters, those little bottles you will find in any bar worth its salt, are the unsung heroes of the cocktail world. Where would the Manhattan be without orange bitters? Where would the Old-fashioned be without angostura bitters? Former bartender, cocktail historian and founder of the House of Botanicals bitters and spirits company, Adam Elan-Elmegirab presents the results of a decade of research into how bitters came to be an integral part of a perfected cocktail, guiding you from the early days of snake-oil salesmen through to the birth of the cocktail, Prohibition and the renaissance of this little-known ingredient as an essential part of the contemporary bar scene. Adam outlines the key botanicals and explains the science of flavour, describing how each characteristic can be deployed for maximum impact, and summarizes the key techniques for making great cocktails. Most importantly, he provides 50 recipes created by him and some of the world’s leading bartenders. These exceptional drinks showcase the different characteristics of bitters and how they can refine a cocktail in unique ways.