Title: 1000 Best Bartender’s Recipes Author: Suzi Parker Publisher: Sourcebooks Publish Date: 2005 Pages: 565 Genres:: Non-Fiction, How-To Guide Reviewer: J. Henry

Rating:

Not only does Suzi Parker give detailed instructions on how to mix this seemingly never-ending list of cocktails, but she also provides a morning-after recipes section that will settle the stomach and hopefully stop that dizzy feeling.

With literally 1,000 recipes, Parker divides the list of concoctions into several portions for those most appropriate during breakfast, brunch or dinner; champagne drinks; virgin cocktails; and shots.

Parker’s fascination with alcohol dates back to her childhood when she used to admire the pretty, colorful bottles. She says she enjoys alcohol because the right drink can be “exhilarating, like, well, sex.” Her introduction ends with the insistence that the reader purchase something exotic as she prepares to lead you into the world of a bartender.

The fact that Parker enjoys the crafting of a cocktail is apparent. She introduces the reader to the basics by listing some of the essentials that are needed in any bar. This includes what types of liquors/liqueurs, wines, booster ingredients, garnishes, and equipment should be on hand. To follow up, there’s a glossary of mixing terms and types of glasses, as well as a detailed list of some of the ingredients she refers to throughout the book.

Parker describes each recipe with her own brand of comic flair. She notes of the Absinthe Frappe: “Some say absinthe is the devil’s tool. Lord, don’t let it be so.” And for Bee Stung Lips, “Think Angelina Jolie and Mick Jagger. Pout accordingly.”

The recipes came from Parker’s own boozy backlog of knowledge, but also from emails and international research. While the old standbys like the frozen margarita are in there, you can also learn to make a Marconi Wireless (apple brandy and vermouth). And there are non-alcholic drinks listed as well, such as the Bananarama (milk, honey and bananas.) Of course, almost all of the drinks can easily be made non-alcholic with the substitution of juice or ice instead of liquor.

1000 Best Bartender’s Recipes serves as a good guide for those who may be contemplating bartender school, those who want to impress their friends with their own home bar, or anyone who is curious about how their delicious Sex on the Beach is actually concocted. What stands out about this guide is that Parker does not throw the reader into a bunch of cocktail recipes with no further information. Not sure how to “float” your ingredients to make this perfect cocktail? Parker holds your hand and explains what “floating” entails. A must-have beverage reference for both the professional and amateur boozehound.