Friday, September 19, 2014

Reading Material: Five fall book releases to add to your shelves.

Autumn’s crisp air and shorter days mean that we’re finally ready to head indoors and hunker down with a good book. Whether you want to cozy up on the couch or stay busy behind the bar, this fall promises to bring some of the most interesting drink-related releases we’ve seen in a while. Here are five to add to your reading list.

A Boat, a Whale & a Walrus, September 30 
Renée Erickson’s Seattle-based restaurant empire has seen a seemingly meteoric rise in popularity since launching. Small, lovely spaces and mouth-watering menus mean there’s almost always a line out the door. Now we can all enjoy Erickson’s unique brand of seafood-worshipping cuisine in the comfort of our own kitchens. Drool-worthy, approachable recipes are accompanied by helpful advice about how to be a great host, as well as cocktail recipes and Erickson’s own favorite wine and food pairings.

Of all the Gin Joints, September 30 
Mark Bailey’s history of drinking in Hollywood is pure fun. Forty cocktail recipes are accompanied by gloriously gossipy stories about tinseltown’s biggest stars and their drinks of choice. Speckled with frame-worthy quotes (“When a horse learns to buy martinis, I’ll learn to like horses.” —Steve McQueen) and nods to many of Los Angeles’ most notorious watering holes, it’s a perfect bedside reader.

Death & Co., October 7 
Cocktail enthusiasts can finally get their hands on the highly anticipated Death & Co. book this October. David Kaplan and Alex Day spend nearly 1/3 of the book explaining their philosophy of cocktail-making process and technique, as well as telling the story of their beloved NYC bar and its creation. This is a must-have for any bartender, home or professional.

Cocktails for the Holidays, October 14
The editors of Imbibe help you mix holiday drinks like a pro with this book featuring favorite seasonal recipes from bartenders around the world. From classic to contemporary recipes, Cocktails for the Holidays includes recipes for every festive occasion—everything from Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s famous Tequila Eggnog to the Spotted Pig’s Mulled Wine. With this book, there’s no need to ever stress about your holiday drinks again.

Prune, November 4
Gabrielle Hamilton—perhaps best known to many as the author of the funny and brutally honest memoir Blood, Butter and Bones—finally shares the rich, comforting, often autobiographical recipes from her East Village restaurant. We can’t wait to mix up one (or two) of her infamous, heavily garnished, Bloody Marys—there are eight variations—and enjoy it with brunch at home.