The New Cocktail Hour: The Essential Guide to Hand-Crafted Drinks

Sibling writers and drinkers, the Darlingtons have created an approachable and delicious guide to cocktails. Taking their cue from the craft cocktail movement with its emphasis on quality ingredients, the authors present 230 recipes for carefully balanced drinks. Frustrated with encyclopedic but poorly organized collections that overwhelmed all but the professional bartender, they offer a manual for those wishing to bring the craft cocktail movement home. The recipes are arranged by era, with special sections on certain ingredients and theme nights based on literature, film, holidays, etc. Along the way, solid information on glassware, stocking a bar, and hosting parties is provided. The techniques section could have used some illustrations, especially with regards to garnishes, but that is a minor quibble. Unusual but welcome features are tasting notes for each drink as well as suggested food pairings.