Book Review: Classic Cocktail Revival

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B+

When I am offered the chance to write up a book published by my alma mater, the University of Kentucky, I’m always happy to oblige, which is how Classic Cocktail Revival found its way to my mailbox. Penned by Jennifer Brian, it positions itself as a work that instructs a novice on the basics of starting a home bar, making the classic cocktails in the classic fashion, and then up to an intermediate level of mixology with many inspired riffs on those classics. Brian is well-positioned to cover those bases: she is an Executive Bourbon Steward, founder and owner of Make and Muddle cocktail company and an event planner.

The work starts with the bartenders tools, an often neglected part of a cocktail guide. The inclusion is what separates this from the books I’ve seen that jump straight into recipes, and what underlines its suitability for novices. Beginners don’t necessarily know what these things are, but in explaining that part they become informed enough to know what they may already have in their kitchen that could be used as a substitute. Next comes making the various syrups that are so often part of crafting a good cocktail, and again that is something many cocktail books skip. Making simple syrup is simple enough, but the multitude of infusions that can be built out of simple syrup are not. Just having the list is inspiration in and of itself.

Finally, there are the classic cocktails. Divided into cocktail-specific chapters, each takes on the classic approach, followed by several variations. Even when the classic version of the cocktail is not made with whiskey, some of the variants are, which is why it’s of more interest to whiskey die-hards than just for the Old Fashioneds and Whiskey Sours. For example, even the folks who know the Boulevardier is a whiskey-fied Negroni have probably never heard of the Boungiorno.

For the folks who patronize The Whiskey Reviewer, Classic Cocktail Revival fills two niches. First, it’s a good book for whiskey enthusiasts who are just starting to elevate their home bar and start making more than just mules and Old Fashioneds. The other niche is as a gift. It’s worthy on both counts.