DIY Cocktails: A Simple Guide to Creating Your Own Signature Drinks
by
Marcia Simmons & Jonas Halpren
Order:
USA
Can
Adams Media, 2011 (2011)
Softcover, e-Book
Read an Excerpt
Reviewed by Hilary Williamson
L
azy, hazy days are ahead, and cocktails can be a refreshing and fun aspect of summer entertainment. Ever adjust cocktails to suit your own taste? We have played with margarita ingredients, but never had the confidence to explore further.
DIY Cocktails: A Simple Guide to Creating Your Own Signature Drinks
solves that problem with '
10 Ratios, Hundreds of Drinks!
'
I
n their Introduction to
DIY Cocktails
(DIY stands for
do it yourself
), co-authors Marcia Simmons and Jonas Halpren (Editors of
DrinkoftheWeek.com
) give a brief history of
artisan cocktails
and
mixology
in America. They tell us that they wrote their book '
to bring mixology magic into your home
' and '
ignite your inner bartender
'.
P
art 1 covers
The Basics
, including tools, techniques and equipment. The authors explain the
Cocktail Ratio
(mixes of different ingredient categories -
strong
,
sweet
,
sour
and
weak
- '
that make for perfectly flavored, perfectly balanced drinks
'). And a
Flavor Profile Chart
in the Appendix fits a large number of ingredients into these categories.
P
art 2 covers
The Ratios
. Each chapter - from
The Original Cocktail
(whose flagship is the
Old Fashioned
) to
Effervescence
(
Collins
to
Champagne Cocktail
) and
Parties and Punch
- addresses a '
fundamental cocktail ratio and its flagship cocktails
', instructions on applying the ratio to make your own variations, recommended ingredients, sample recipes, and sidebars on techniques and tips.
C
hapters that appeal to me are
Tropical Drinks
(
Pai Tai
anyone?),
Elegant Sips
( the
Rhubarbra Streisand
appeals) and
Effervescence
(I'm salivating over the
Strawberry Basil Mojito
), but you'll find your own favorites. Feel like getting creative with entertaining, or simply want to customize your cocktails?
DIY Cocktails
gives you the tools to start mixing.
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