Library

(1827) - A truly fantastic book that manages to summarize hundreds of years of English drink-making in one book.

(1862, 1876, 1887) - The foundational guide, the earliest comprehensive American bartending manual.

(1891, 1908) - A great source on late-nineteenth century cocktail culture in San Francisco.

(1892) - This substantial book only focuses in part on recipes; Schmidt also instructs the reader on wine and food pairings and other epicurean matters.

(1895) - Kappeler’s bartending guide features Gilded Age drinks as well as classics from earlier in the 19th century.

(1882, 1888, 1900) - One of my absolute favorite bar books, with advice on running a bar, café, and hotel.

This one is great because it groups drinks together that have similar structure or ingredients. That's helpful when trying to build a framework of learning about cocktails

A great survey of the history of punch, which is one of two major ancestors of the cocktail.

Imbibe! will teach you all about the origins of the American cocktail.

First cocktail book I got and it's a great snapshot of the cocktail renaissance of the late '90s/2000s as well as recipes for classics

A great history book that uses ten different rum drinks as a way of conveying centuries of colonialism and drinking culture.

A useful reference about many early twentieth-century cocktails.

An entertaining modern book about eighteenth-century and early Republic drinking in the U.S.

A very effective reference book that compiles recipes from various household companions and cookery books of the colonial and pre-Civil War periods.

A clear, concise book that attempts to give shape to the arc of cocktail history.

Bartender and drinks expert Caiafa provides a well-researched book with updated recipes.

Modern cocktail writer Simonson tells you everything you ever wanted to know about the Martini.

A great reference for bartending technique and drink hacks from one of the great innovators of the modern bartending world.

This substantial volume is the best reference book to date on various spirits, wines, and liqueurs, as well as the history of the American Cocktail.

Frechette’s book captures the essence of post 1930s tropical drinks in an easily digestible format.

A look at how tiki was born of Caribbean drinking culture and colonialism.

A fantastic up-to-date guide to the tropical genre that reflects Mustipher’s expertise and style.

A comprehensive guide to the modern tiki movement, from the San Francisco bar of the same name.

A great resource on amari available in the U.S. by the foremost American expert on the subject.

A solid reference for all types of brandy, from Cognac and Armagnac to fruit brandies from around the world.

A guide to enjoying an evening drink in the French style.

A guide to enjoying an evening drink in the French style.

The latest comprehensive source on bitter digestivi from Italy.

A compendium of the wonderful drinks served at L’Oursin in Seattle, WA.

A very good primer on sherry and the history of the category, with recipes from cocktail history and modern bartenders.

A great handbook for aperitivo at home, complete with recipes for classics, riffs, and snacks.

A history of American cider that also highlights leaders in the modern cider movement.

This book tells the story of cider through the experience of one modern cider-maker who is chasing the olde ways.

This liberating book outlines the changes in the wine industry and in our attitudes toward what we like to drink and why.

A sweeping survey of beer that demonstrates its long history and the many styles that exist today.