The Cocktail Handbook Book

There are many, many cocktails, but there are few classics. Any collection of cocktail formulae, therefore, is likely to comprise a core of much-loved stars surrounded by a chorus line of frivolous hopefuls who may be bewitching but whose charms are prey to the mysterious and merciless gravity of fashion. So, to an extent, it proves with David Biggs' entertaining and lavishly- illustrated Cocktail Handbook, which includes many of the classics. Resonant names roll down the page. Martini, Daquiri, Gimlet, Margarita, Bloody Mary, Mint Julep are all here, many in more than one version. Some are a little unorthodox. The Dry Martini is composed of equal parts gin and vermouth, which is startling indeed. The Vodka Martini is hardly more robust, two parts vodka to one vermouth. This would have depressed W.H. Auden, whose view on the role of vermouth in the martini was that the uncorked bottle should be gestured vaguely in the direction of the shaker. Any collection of cocktails is bound to miss a few favourites. So no "White Lady"-- one of the best of all gin drinks--no "Whiskey Sour", no "Long Island Iced Tea". But kicking out in the back row of the chorus are the Pink Squirrel, the Fluffy Duck, the Greek Tiger, all with their eye on posterity. --Robin DavidsonRead More