Chicago Cocktails: An Elegant Collection of Over 100 Recipes Inspired by the Windy City

Chicago resident Schnitzler (Chicago Like a Local) includes more than 100 recipes for classic and contemporary cocktails from Chicago restaurants and bars. After providing a list of essential tools for home mixologists and a brief history of the Windy City (creator of the old-fashioned and Al Capone’s purported favorite cocktail, the South Side), Schnitzler subdivides the book according to Chicago districts, collecting recipes from neighborhood establishments within each area. From a hot buttered tequila from the Gage in the Loop to a yuletide sour from Bar Goa in River North, there is truly a recipe for every palate. Each easy-to-follow recipe advises on appropriate glassware and garnishes, and while some might require special ingredients, plenty of drinks can be made from a well-stocked home bar. In a nod to the service industry, especially in a post-pandemic economy, Schnitzler interviews local mixologists who talk about what inspires their recipes and how they value their contributions to Chicago cocktail culture.