By age twelve, I knew exactly where I wanted to live when I grew up: Big things happen in big places,and New York City was the biggest. Luckily, my father had instilled in me an unreasonable supply of optimism, which buoyed me through [earning a city that could swallow you up without a trace. This optimism,along with a few good friends and dumb luck, was about all I had when I arrived in New York in 1969.

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Cocktails are bigger than ever, and this is the first real cookbook for them, covering the entire breadth of this rich subject. The Craft of the Cocktail provides much more than merely the same old recipes: it delves into history,personalities, and anecdotes; it shows you how to set up a bar, master important techniques, and use tools correctly; and it delivers unique concoctions, many featuring Dale DeGroff's signature use of fresh juices, as well as all the classics.

Debonair, a great raconteur, and an unparalleled authority, Date DeGroff is the epitome of Perfect Bartender, universally acknowledged as the world's premier mixologist. From Entertainment Weekly and USA Today to the Culinary Institute of America and the nation's best restaurants, whenever anybody wants information or training on the bar, they turn to Dale for recipes, for history, for anecdotes, for fun--for cocktail-party conversation as well as for cocktails.

That's what The Craft of the Cocktail is--the full party, conversation and all. It begins with the history of spirits, how they're made (but without too much boring science), the development of the mixed drink, and the culture it created, all drawn from DaLe's vast Library of vintage cocktail books. Then on to stocking the essential bar, choosing the right tools and ingredients, mastering key techniques--hints worthy of a pro, the same information that Dale shares with the bartenders he trains in seminars and through his videos. And then the meat of the matter: 500 recipes, including everything from triedand-true classics to of-the-moment originals. Throughout are rich stories, vintage recipes, fast facts,, and other entertaining asides. Beautiful color photographs and a striking design round out the cookbook approach to this subject, highlighting the difference between an under-the-bar handbook and a stylish, full-blown treatment. The Craft oj:the Cocktail is that treatment, destined to become the bible of.the bar.

INTRODUCTION

THE CRAFT OF THE COCKTAIL

The History of the Cocktail

The Ingredients of the Cocktail

The Tools, Techniques, and Garnishes of the Cocktail

COCKTAILS AND BAR TALES

THE RESOURCES OF THE COCKTAIL

PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND SOURCES

MEASURES

BASIC RECIPES

PROOF IN THE NUMBERS: STANDARD

ALCOHOL CONTENT

MIXING TERMS AND TECHNIQUES

GLOSSARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

SPECIAL THANKS

INDEX