Some credit a return of the cocktail culture (though many doubt it ever went away). Others credit an improving economy, new interest in American-made distilled spirits and the next logical step after our enchantment with wine and craft beer. Whatever the reason, Americans are drinking more distilled spirits, and with this abundance of bottles comes an abundance of books about them, their backgrounds and suggestions on how best to enjoy them.
The revised and expanded edition of American Whiskey, Bourbon & Rye by Clay Risen includes the history and ratings and tasting notes for more than 300 American distilled spirits, all with color photos, what to look for in each and how best to enjoy them. It’s a thorough, up-to-date guide. ($24.95, 400 pages).
British authors of The Thinking Drinker’s Guide to Alcohol, Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, take on beer, cider, whiskey, tequila, vodka, rum, gin, aperitifs, digestifs and nightcaps with fact and a grain of humor. A quote from Gérard Depardieu, for example: “I’m happy with very little on this earth, but I do like a lot in my glass.” Add anecdotes about Peter the Great, Vincent van Gogh, Pancho Villa and others woven in with excellent explanatory material about each spirit ($24.95, 224 pages).
Dominic Roskrow concentrates on one spirit in Whiskey: What to Drink Next. Arranged by country with an introduction on how to taste and the best glass to use, he goes on to explain single malt whiskey, blended whiskeys, American whiskeys and more, with photos of each bottle and even graphs of each style’s atomic structure ($19.95, 224 pages).
Bartender Salvatore Calabrese puts it all together with Classic Cocktails. “Making a cocktail is an art,” he says, and explains the origin of the word cocktail, its history, what essentials to include in the home bar and a wealth of clearly explained recipes, both classics and originals ($19.95, 256 pages).
And for anyone contemplating a trip to Cuba, there is Cuban Cocktails. One hundred classics, punches and new versions of old favorites by three people involved in the New York City Cuban bar Cienfuegos are featured ($24.95, 256 pages).
Read This Next
Women in Travel
2016
Sep 22, 2016All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 30, 2023The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach’s Wellness Experiences
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach offers travelers a new immersive wellness experience: Healing in Hawai’i.
Sponsored Content
Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win
Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!
Daily
Mar 30, 2023NoMo Soho Introduces New Private Event Spaces, Return of Rose Garden
NoMo SoHo recently announced the return of Rose Garden as well as the introduction of two new event spaces, The Penthouse and Nina’s.
Daily
Mar 30, 2023A New Type of Art Experience: Rotterdam’s Depot Boijman’s Van Beuningen Opens
A little more a year ago, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, designed by architectural firm MVRDV, opened to the public in Rotterdam. At Depot, everything revolves around the interaction between the visitors and more than 151,000 works stored in various areas of the unique building.
Daily
Mar 29, 20234 Spring Hotel Openings
With the start of spring, travelers have their choice of new design-centric boutique properties opening in the coming months. Check out these properties for travel inspiration.
Elk Cove Inn & Spa Review
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 29, 2023Last-Minute Spring Deals from SIXT
eFlyer Deals
Mar 29, 2023eFlyer Deals
Mar 29, 2023Andaz Mayakoba Welcomes Summer with 20 Percent Off All Suite Stays
Just in time for summer travel, Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya launches its Suites on Sale promotion. During the summer months, the resort offers travelers 20 percent off a stay in a suite.
eFlyer Lead
Mar 29, 2023Will Unruly Passengers Soon Be Banned from Flights in the United States?
After a series of high-profile unruly passenger incidents, many of which made their way across the internet for thousands to see, a bipartisan group of lawmakers announced a new push for legislation to ban passengers fined or convicted of serious physical violence from commercial flights.
ShareThis