Just as any polished coffee table deserves a stack of thoughtful, aesthetic titles, a bar cart warrants its own collection of gorgeous, informative publications.
From modern cocktail recipes to boozy dispatches that explore spirits’ role throughout history and culture to debunked wine tasting notes and a guide to becoming a novice cicerone, these newly released titles are the ultimate gift for at-home mixologists or anyone looking to dive deeper into their craft.
Saved By The Bellini
Author and acclaimed bartender John deBary transports readers back in time with this 1990s-inspired cocktail book that features more than 65 recipes celebrating the decade. Take the Gusher Crusher, influenced by ‘90s kids’ favorite after-school snack or the Flannel Factor, built with rum, rye, amaretto and cold brew as an homage to the grunge trend. There are also nods to the cassette tape, slap bracelets, Reebok pumps and even the famed “Got Milk?” ad; whether a ‘90s baby or not, deBary reminds of the gaiety of this decade. SRP $19.99, amazon.com
Bourbon Cocktails for Every Occasion
Think bourbon isn’t versatile? Garden & Gun says think again in this limited-edition cocktail book presented in partnership with Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The 60-page hardcover features classic and creative cocktail recipes for readers to concoct at-home libations for casual to special occasions, along with hosting tips from top Southern tastemakers and spirits enthusiasts. SRP $18.95, ggfieldshop.com
Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs, and Juice: A Cocktail Recipe Book
Toni Tipton-Martin immerses readers in the layered history of Black mixology and its influence on contemporary American cocktail culture and hospitality in this just-released collection of 70 rediscovered recipes. Tipton-Martin sourced formulas from two centuries’ worth of Black cookbooks to revive classic pours like the Absinthe Frappe and showcase modern cocktails like the Jerk-Spiced Bloody Mary. SRP $30, bookshop.org
Tiki Cocktails
From the barefoot beach cantinas of the Caribbean to the palm-clad urban oases, tiki cocktails deliver an unmistakeable vacation-in-a-glass feeling. That’s exactly why The Coastal Kitchen crafted up this portfolio of over 50 recipes to bring the same whimsical feeling to your home bar through the fruity and exotic flavors of tiki cocktails. Along with classics like the mai tai and zombie, there’s a brief history of the tiki movement and entertaining tips for hosting tiki-inspired parties. SRP $22.95, cidermillpress.com
The Wine List
Every wine cellar or wine collector needs a few books to show off in between bottles, and this hot-off-the-press title by award-winning sommelier Grant Reynolds (founder of Parcelle wine bar in NYC) is a noteworthy addition. Reynolds starts in the 18th century, explaining the stories and tasting notes behind some of the world’s most remarkable bottles and eloquently presents them in a way that delineates wine’s significance throughout history, culture and politics. SRP $28, amazon.com
The Seasonal Cocktail
Veteran bartender Jason Hedges (led Michelin-rated beverage programs at Gotham Bar and Grill, Aldea and L’Ecole), released this simple, yet sophisticated, guide to drink making based on the green-market philosophy. He collaborated with his wife, Sonya, on the guide’s stunning watercolor and pen illustrations to make the more than 100 recipes—rooted in using seasonally-inspired ingredients—come to life. Hedges also advises how to create your own recipes based on the season and mood. SRP $35, amazon.com
Cocktails in Color
Soothing water colors mesh with classic cocktails for an artistic cocktail companion that also inspires at-home mixologists to create their own concoctions. Co-authors Sammi Katz and Olivia McGiff, present a fresh way to craft cocktails, with simple alterations like the Rosemary Manhattan, as well as an index on liqueurs and amari. SRP $19.99, amazon.com
The Complete Beer Course
There’s a reason this popular 2013 bestselling guide was updated and revised for a second edition released earlier this year. The insightful guide by Joshua M. Bernstein is a completely immersive title that takes beer novice to expert status in 12 tasting classes. Don’t want to read the whole thing? It still looks stellar on a bar and will intrigue guests to flick through it during home parties. SRP $35, amazon.com
