By the Book

I’m not really a “by the book” kinda girl. I like to do things my way, experiment, bend things to my will, and push the envelope. But when it comes to cocktail books I’m obsessed. I especially love those that come from my favorite bars. Nothing like being able to recreate those wonderful drinks at home and relive a special night. Or perhaps get a taste of a bar thousands of miles away.

The trend in cocktail books is not just drinks but books that can practically be considered art. The new Aviary book produced in 2018 is a great example. Mixology & Mayhem created by the Dead Rabbit New York and featured here is another example. It has a story line. It’s a bold, graphic novel-style, based on "Gangs of New York"-era tales retold with modern personalities from the bar world. It has a distinct story line but it’s still infused with the personality and thoughts of the real people it personifies. The graphics are rich and comic book like. It’s actually hard to put it down. I was lucky enough to snag a signed copy when General Manager Jillian Vose was in Phoenix recently. Jillian actually got her start here in Phoenix at the Jade Bar so we see her from time to time.

This book is wonderful in every sense of the work, The cocktails are interesting and inventive as well as being perfectly balanced. It is definitely not a book for beginners though. It is best suited to cocktail junkies who have a broad collection of spirits and like making their own modifiers. They include all the recipes but most of the drinks include homemade ingredients.

This cocktail is sort of a distant cousin to the Boulevardier and I loved the floral notes they added. If you dissect it you can see the different swaps that were made to really liven up this profile.

Maelstrom

• 1 tsp Cinnamon Bark Syrup

• 1 tsp  Williams Pear Liqueur

• .5oz Amero Apertif

• .25oz Pampelmousse Liqueur

• .75oz Amontillado Sherry

• 1 oz Rye Whiskey

Stir over ice until chilled, serve in a nick & nora glass.