The Essential Cocktail：The Art of Mixing Perfect Drinks

DaleDeGroffiswidelyregardedastheworld’sforemostmixologist.HailedbytheNewYorkTimesas“single-handedlyresponsibleforwhat’sbeencalledthecocktailrenaissance,”heearnedthisreputationduringhistwelveyearsatthefashionablePromenadeBarinNewYorkCity’sRainbowRoom.Itwastherein1987thathenotonlyreintroducedthecocktailmenutothecountrybutalsobeganmixingdrinksfromscratch,usingimpeccablyfreshingredientsinsteadofthewidespreadmixesusedatthetime.Knownespeciallyforcraftinguniquecocktails,revivingclassics,andcoaxingsuperiorflavorfromhisingredients,DeGroffhasselectedhis100essentialdrinksand100oftheirbestvariations—includingmanyofhissignaturecocktails—forthispremiermixologyguide.TheEssentialCocktailfeaturesonlythosedrinksthatstandoutfortheirflavor,interestingformula,ordistinctivetechnique.Thesearetheveryoneseveryamateurandprofessionalbartendermustknow,themartinis,sours,highballs,tropicals,punches,sweets,andclassics,botholdandnew,thatformthecoreofaconnoisseur’srepertoire.ThroughoutthebookareDeGroff’spersonaltwists,suchasatangyGrapefruitJuleporarefreshingYuzuGimlet.Tocomplementthetantalizingphotographsofeachessentialcocktail,DeGroffalsoregalesreaderswiththefascinatinglorebehindadrink’sgenesisandinstructsusonusingtherightingredients,techniques,glasses,andgarnishes.AsJuliaChild’sMasteringtheArtofFrenchCookingwastheclassiccompendiumforhomechefsandgourmands,soTheEssentialCocktailwillbethego-tobookforseriousmixologistsandcocktailenthusiasts.