The Essential Bar Book, by Jennifer Fiedler

A thorough A-to-Z reference for anyone who takes their home bar seriously. Jennifer Fiedler covers the tools, the history and the mythology behind classic and modern cocktails, with 115 recipes for the drinks worth knowing. Behind our bar program is a lot of thinking about botanicals, balance and what makes a drink worth making twice. This book operates in the same spirit. Jennifer Fiedler's Essential Bar Book is organized for the way people actually use a bar reference – alphabetically, quickly, without having to read front to back to find what you need. It covers tools, techniques, ingredients and recipes, from the foundational classics to more contemporary drinks. The writing is clear and the format is practical. It's the kind of book that gets stained and dog-eared, which is usually a good sign.