Books
Drinkhacker’s books category covers everything from the history of drink to cocktail recipe collections and more. Books are rated using the same letter grade scale as our beverage reviews.
Top Book Posts:
The Waldorf Astoria Bar Book
Drink: A Cultural History of Alcohol
Japanese Whisky
Cork Dork
The Dean Koontz of cocktail books returns to Drinkhacker with the fourth installment in his Booze and Vinyl series. If you’ve been following along up to this point, you’ll be well versed on the premise: pick a record, make a cocktail inspired by the record or artist behind the music, sit, listen, sip and enjoy.…
Books published by the estimable Ryland Peters & Small have found their way into my home before, as we struggled earnestly to achieve the minimal aesthetic presented in Hilary Robertson’s Monochrome Home. But the independent publishing house places a premium on aesthetic quality, and Aperitivo is no different, albeit much more vivid and technicolor than…
The immediate and impactful thing about Lucas Tubiana’s The Mixology Way: Classic Cocktail Recipes to Master the Art of Mixology that catches the reader’s eye is illustrator Yannis Varoutsikos’ gorgeous artwork accompanying each recipe. The minimalist design, sharp color swatches for each ingredient, and tight recipe layout are the sort of treats that stand out…
My fascination with American whiskey extends beyond the simple pleasure of sipping a glass after a long day or sharing a pour with friends. While I thoroughly enjoy the sensory experience of whiskey, I am arguably more captivated by delving into its rich history. A deeper understanding of whiskey’s origins and evolution undoubtedly enhances the…
In a world where new whiskey brands seem to appear on liquor store shelves daily, August 2023 introduced another contender: Mary Dowling Whiskey Company. The modern incarnation of Mary Dowling Whiskey is the brainchild of Kaveh Zamanian, best known for his association with Louisville’s Rabbit Hole Distillery. While the historical figure of Mary Dowling was…
Sisters Belinda Kelly and Venise Cunningham, known as the Simple Goodness Sisters, are pioneers of the nation’s first cocktail garden, and they have launched several businesses that redefine home mixology with a sustainable, garden-to-glass approach. Together they launched a mobile cocktail company, opened a bar and soda fountain, and then in 2018, Simple Goodness Sisters…
In the latest book in his Curious Bartender series, set to be released on April 8th, award-winning bar owner and bestselling author Tristan Stephenson offers a comprehensive guide to Mexico’s agave spirits. In the past twenty years, Stephenson has visited over 100 countries and 500 distilleries to hear the stories behind the brands and offer…
Spirited Women: Makers, Shakers, and Trailblazers in the World of Cocktails, by Sammi Katz and Olivia McGiff, is a powerful and timely exploration of the women who have made their mark in the world of beverage alcohol. In a field historically dominated by men, this book highlights the contributions of women who have not only…
All books reviewed by Drinkhacker involve careful thought, but this particular review requires a bit more reverence. In January 2025, Drew Hannush published Whiskey Lore: The Real Stories Behind the Biggest Myths and Legends. With the commonality of Lore, Hannush’s book is not to be confused with the December 2024 release of Bourbon Lore: Legends of American Whiskey, authored…
When I decided to embark upon bourbon as a hobby roughly 8 years ago, my knowledge was next to nothing. I opted to pick up a book authored by Clay Risen. In a twist of fate, Risen’s work inspired me to keep reading. In December 2024, I completed my 500th book on the topic of…