The complete idiot's guide to mixing drinks

Title:

Author:

Axelrod, Alan.

ISBN:

9780028619415

Personal Author:

Axelrod, Alan.

Publication Information:

New York, N.Y. : Alpha, 1997.

Physical Description:

361 p.

Series:

Complete idiot's guide

Series Title:

Complete idiot's guide

Subject Term:

Beverages.

Cocktails

Added Corporate Author:

Players (Club)

Format:

Books

Document ID:

SD_ILS:426834

Availability:

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Shelf Number	Material Type	Status
Searching... Montlands Library	641.874 AXEL	Non Fiction	Searching... Unknown

Summary

Explains how to stock a home bar, create and garnish professional-looking cocktails and non-alcholic creations, and plan drinks for parties and special occassions.

Author Notes

Alan Axelrod was born on August 25, 1952, in New York. He was educated at Northeastern Illinois University and University of Iowa. He is a leading writer about American history, and is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to American History. In his books, Axelrod presents the facts, details, and faces that have helped shape the history of the United States.

Axelrod has served as a consultant to several museums and institutions. He has received numerous honors, including a National Cowboy Hall of Fame Award in 1991.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Part 1 Belly Up to the Bar!	p. 1
1 What to Drink and Why	p. 3
Should You Have a Drink?	p. 3
A Toast to Tradition!	p. 4
Our Pleasure	p. 4
A Good Time Had by All	p. 4
But It's Okay Not To	p. 5
What Should You Drink?	p. 6
Hard Liquor vs. Beer and Wine	p. 6
Straight vs. Mixed	p. 6
Transparently Yours	p. 7
From Russia (and Poland, Finland, and Sweden) with Love	p. 7
Whiskey	p. 8
Rum	p. 10
Tequila	p. 10
Savor, Don't Swill	p. 11
The Nose Knows	p. 11
"Professional" Tasting	p. 11
Pacing	p. 12
The Least You Need to Know	p. 12
2 Acting Like an Adult: Responsible Drinking and Responsible Bartending	p. 13
A Physiology Lesson	p. 14
Right to the Brain	p. 15
Sobering Up	p. 16
Anatomy of a Hangover	p. 16
First Aid for a Hangover	p. 16
To Your Health!	p. 17
Alcoholism	p. 18
Warning Signs of Alcoholism	p. 18
Responsibilities and Obligations	p. 19
Drinking and Driving	p. 19
See You in Court?	p. 22
The Least You Need to Know	p. 23
3 Chemistry 101, History 101: A Short Course in School	p. 25
CH3 CH2 OH	p. 25
Fermentation	p. 26
Distillation	p. 26
Poison versus Potable	p. 27
In the Beginning, There Was Spit	p. 27
Babylonian Booze	p. 27
Land of Milk and Honey	p. 28
Greek Wine and Roman Orgies	p. 28
The Middle East, Africa, and Asia	p. 28
In the New World	p. 28
Spiritual Origins	p. 29
Whence Whiskey?	p. 29
Genesis of Gin	p. 30
Vodka's Unveiling	p. 30
Rum's Reign	p. 31
A Tale of Tequila	p. 31
The Bona Fides of Brandy	p. 31
Liqueur Lineage	p. 31
No News?	p. 32
The Least You Need to Know	p. 32
4 Of Ponies, Garbage, and Garnishes: The Basic Equipment of Bartending	p. 33
A Portfolio of Potables: Price vs. Value	p. 33
The Basics: Liquor	p. 34
The Basics: Liqueurs	p. 34
The Basics: Wine and Beer	p. 35
The Basics: Mixers	p. 35
One Step Beyond	p. 37
Garnishes and Garbage	p. 39
Inedible Additions	p. 40
Tools of the Trade	p. 40
Shaker Upper	p. 41
Other Essentials	p. 41
A Glass Act	p. 41
Highball and Low	p. 42
Collins and Old-Fashioned	p. 42
Cocktail and Sour	p. 43
Wine and Sherry	p. 43
Champagne: American Style and in the European Mood	p. 43
Small Stuff: The Cordial Pony and Your Best Shot	p. 44
Snifter Story	p. 44
Mugs and Pilsner Glasses	p. 44
Other Specialized Glassware	p. 44
The Least You Need to Know	p. 45
5 Mixology Demystified: Secrets of Measuring, Mixing, and Pouring	p. 47
Your First Highball: A Seminar in Measurement	p. 47
A Firm Foundation	p. 48
The Jigger Method	p. 48
The Two-Finger Method	p. 49
The Three-Count Technique	p. 49
Shaken, or Stirred?	p. 50
The Stirred Cocktail	p. 50
Great Shakes	p. 51
Mix, Blend, and Puree!	p. 52
Popping Your Cork	p. 52
Pouring	p. 53
Using the Speedpourer	p. 53
Using a Cocktail Strainer	p. 53
Developing a Multiple Personality	p. 54
Pouring the Pousse-Cafe	p. 54
Glassware Prep	p. 54
Chilling	p. 54
Frosting	p. 54
Salting	p. 55
Flavoring the Rim	p. 55
The Least You Need to Know	p. 55
Part 2 Clear Choices	p. 57
6 Brother Juniper: The Joys of Gin	p. 59
Distiller's Secrets	p. 59
British and American Varieties	p. 60
Dutch Varieties	p. 60
Gin and	p. 61
Gimlet Eye	p. 64
Juices (Mostly)	p. 65
A Fizz and a Rickey	p. 68
Surprising Gin	p. 69
The Admirals	p. 70
Liqueur Refreshed, Brandy Rebranded--and a Dash of Dubonnet	p. 70
Tropical Heritage	p. 71
The Least You Need to Know	p. 73
7 Na Zdorovyel: The Vorld of Vodka	p. 75
Smirnoff Takes Off	p. 75
Straight, No Chaser	p. 76
Bloody Mary	p. 77
Variations on a Bloody Theme	p. 78
Russians Black and White	p. 78
Citrus Productions	p. 79
Moscow Mule and Other Mostly Lime Juice Drinks	p. 79
Salty Dog and Other Mostly Grapefruit Juice Drinks	p. 81
Screwdrivers, Wallbangers, and Other Mostly Orange Juice Drinks	p. 82
Sex on the Beach	p. 83
Coffee Combo	p. 84
Russian Winter in the Tropics	p. 84
With Brandy, Liqueur, or an Aperitif	p. 85
The Vodka	p. 86
The Least You Need to Know	p. 88
8 The Silver Bullet	p. 89
The Martini's Controversial Past	p. 90
Martini Secrets	p. 91
The Classic Dry Martini	p. 92
The Really Dry Martini	p. 94
Gibson	p. 94
Vodka Varieties	p. 95
Exotic Variations	p. 97
The Least You Need to Know	p. 101
Part 3 Whiskey World	p. 103
9 Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey: Produce of the Bluegrass and Volunteer States	p. 105
Let's Talk Whiskey	p. 106
A County in Kentucky	p. 107
Deep in Tennessee	p. 107
Let's Talk Proof	p. 107
Neat, Rocks, Branch, Soda	p. 107
Juleps: The Schools of Thought	p. 108
The Classic Bourbon and Tennessee Cocktails	p. 109
New Traditions	p. 114
The Least You Need to Know	p. 117
10 'Round the Blend: Canadian and American Blended Whiskeys	p. 119
The Master Blender at Work	p. 119
Not Whiskey, but Whisky: Enjoying the Canadian Difference	p. 120
Neat, Rocks, Soda, Ginger	p. 120
Manhattan Varieties	p. 120
Fizzes	p. 123
Grapefruit Combos	p. 124
Old-Fashioneds and a Rickey	p. 125
Pucker Up	p. 126
On the Sweet Side	p. 128
With Wines and Liqueurs	p. 129
O, Canada!	p. 130
The Least You Need to Know	p. 132
11 Comin' Through the Rye: Enjoying The Drinker's Drink	p. 133
The Black Sheep	p. 133
Rye, Unadorned	p. 134
Rock and Rye: What It Is and What To Do with It	p. 134
Fizz and Flip	p. 135
Fortifiers	p. 136
Citrus Varieties	p. 138
With Liqueurs and Bitters	p. 140
Rye Manhattans	p. 141
The Least You Need to Know	p. 142
12 Scotch Snobs and Irish Spirits: Blends and Single Malts	p. 143
Scotland the Brave	p. 144
Ireland the Source	p. 145
Unmixed Pleasure: Neat, Rocks, Water, Soda	p. 146
Classic Scotch Concoctions	p. 146
Scotch with Liqueurs	p. 148
On the Sweet Side	p. 149
Vermouth Combinations	p. 151
The Irish Collection	p. 153
Liqueur and Aperitif Drinks	p. 153
Mists	p. 154
Sweet Drinks	p. 155
The Least You Need to Know	p. 157
Part 4 Almost Tropical	p. 159
13 Carribean Sugarcane: A Rum Resume	p. 161
A Little Travelogue	p. 162
So Near and Yet So Far	p. 162
Colonial Benders	p. 163
Rum Solo	p. 163
Bacardis	p. 163
!Cuba Libre!	p. 165
Coladas	p. 165
Daiquiris	p. 166
Citrus Creations	p. 168
Island Hopping	p. 170
Rum with Liqueurs and Brandy	p. 171
Planter's Punch Variations	p. 172
Coffee Drinks	p. 173
The Least You Need to Know	p. 174
14 From the Halls of Montezuma: Tequila!	p. 175
The Mexican Itch	p. 176
Tequila's Royal Heritage	p. 176
Geography South of the Border	p. 177
Tequila Varities	p. 177
Tequila Estilo Pancho Villa con Sangrita, Por Favor!	p. 177
Margaritas	p. 178
Other Tequila Classics	p. 180
Sneaky Pete	p. 180
Tequila Sunrises	p. 181
Citrus Mixers	p. 182
Tequila With Liqueur	p. 183
Tequila With Rum--Yes, Rum	p. 184
The Least You Need to Know	p. 185
Part 5 Just Desserts	p. 187
15 Sniffer's Bouquet: The Brandy/Cognac Mystique	p. 189
That's VSOP, Not RSVP	p. 190
The Story of Eau de Vie	p. 190
Brandies from France and Elsewhere	p. 190
Cognac--The Nutty	p. 191
Calvados--The Big Apple	p. 191
The Brandies from Elsewhere	p. 192
Flavored Brandies	p. 192
The Alexanders	p. 193
Other Brandy Classics	p. 194
Apricot Excursions	p. 197
Cherry Mixtures	p. 197
Peachy Potables	p. 198
BandB Variations	p. 199
Brandy and Champagne	p. 200
Mayrfair Cocktail and Other Brandy Drinks	p. 201
The Least You Need to Know	p. 202
16 Cordially Yours: The Liqueurs	p. 203
Good for What Ails You	p. 204
How Liqueurs Are Made	p. 204
State of the Art	p. 204
Generic vs. Proprietary Liqueur	p. 205
Review of the Essential Liqueurs	p. 205
Liqueurs with Brandy	p. 206
Liqueur with Liquor	p. 208
Liqueurs with Other Liqueurs	p. 211
Liqueur with Fruid Juices	p. 213
Cordial Favorites	p. 214
The Least You Need to Know	p. 216
17 Up in Flames: Hot and Flaming Drinks	p. 217
Fortified Coffees of All Nations	p. 218
Hot Rum Drinks	p. 221
Today Collection	p. 222
Comfort Drinks	p. 223
Going to Blazes	p. 225
Don't Try This at Home!	p. 226
Ignition...Lift Off!	p. 227
Achieving Spectacular Effects	p. 227
Flaming Rum	p. 227
Flaming Brandy	p. 228
The Least You Need to Know	p. 229
18 Architectural Masterpieces: Building the Pousse-Cafe	p. 231
Many-Layered Drinks	p. 232
Do You Have What It Takes?	p. 232
Layering Logistics	p. 235
A Host of Angels	p. 236
Royal Palaces	p. 237
Patriot's Pride: Red, White, and Blue Creations	p. 239
Spectaculars	p. 240
Build Your Own Pousse-Cafe	p. 241
The Least You Need to Know	p. 242
Part 6 A Fresh Round	p. 243
19 More of a Good Thing: Wine, Champagne, and Beer Drinks	p. 245
Wine as a Mixer	p. 245
The Classics	p. 246
Aperitif Assortments	p. 247
Sherry Anyone? Port Perhaps?	p. 249
Vermouth Variations	p. 250
Bubbly Blends	p. 253
Creative Coolers	p. 256
Beer--a Mixer?!	p. 257
The Least You Need to Know	p. 259
20 Lo Cal: Drinks for Dieters	p. 261
The Truth about Alcohol and Calories	p. 262
Counting Calories	p. 262
Cutting Calories	p. 264
Ye Olde Standbys	p. 264
Lightweights: Drinks Under 80 Calories	p. 265
Aperitif Drinks	p. 265
Lite Liquor Drinks	p. 266
Wine and Vermouth Drinks	p. 267
Weighing In: 80-100 Calorie Drinks	p. 269
Brandy Drinks	p. 269
Champagne Drinks	p. 270
The Hard Stuff	p. 271
Light Liqueur Drinks	p. 272
The Least You Need to Know	p. 273
21 Spiritless Yet Delicious: Drinks without Alcohol	p. 275
The Gracious Host	p. 275
To Refresh and Satisfy Sans Spirits	p. 276
Cider Surprises	p. 276
Coffee Concoctions	p. 277
Fruit Flavors	p. 278
Hot Stuff	p. 280
Ice Cream, Milk Drinks, and Nogs	p. 281
Embellished Soft Drinks	p. 283
Tropical Alternatives	p. 285
Party Punches	p. 286
The Least You Need to Know	p. 286
Part 7 Putting It All Together	p. 287
22 It's My Party: Planning a Great Time	p. 289
The Setup	p. 290
Glassware: Real or Plastic?	p. 291
Bar Basics	p. 291
Front Bar	p. 292
"Show" Bottles	p. 294
Liquor Logistics	p. 294
The Basic Cocktail Bar	p. 294
Party Time	p. 295
What's the Occasion?	p. 295
Who Are Your Guests?	p. 295
Don't Ever Forget Soft Drinks	p. 295
How Much Do You Need?	p. 295
Food, Glorious Food	p. 296
The Party's Over	p. 297
The Least You Need to Know	p. 297
23 Packing a Punch: Festive Recipes by the Bowlful	p. 299
The Rule of Five	p. 300
New Life to a Festive Tradition	p. 300
Planning Your Attack	p. 300
Brandy Based	p. 302
Champagne Punches	p. 302
Liqueur Punches	p. 304
Rum Punches	p. 305
Vodka Punches	p. 306
Whiskey Punches	p. 307
Wine Punches	p. 307
Great Eggnogs	p. 309
Planter's Punch (Times 2)	p. 310
The Least You Need to Know	p. 311
24 Turning Pro: The Barkeep's Vocation	p. 313
Do You Really Want to Do This?	p. 313
Professional Bartending: What It Takes	p. 314
The Rewards--and Risks--of Bartending	p. 314
Breaking In to Bartending	p. 316
Starting at the Bottom	p. 316
Getting In	p. 317
Looking the Part	p. 318
Acting the Part	p. 318
Customer Relations	p. 319
A "Feel Good" Job	p. 319
Customer Service	p. 320
Handling Cash	p. 320
Dealing with Drunks	p. 320
Bartending and the Law	p. 321
The Least You Need to Know	p. 321
Buzzed Word Glossary	p. 323
Last Call	p. 329
Walk on the Wild Side	p. 329
Worth Mixing	p. 331
More Joys of Gin	p. 331
The Vider Vorld of Vodka	p. 332
More Produce from Kentucky and Tennessee	p. 333
'Round the Blend--Again	p. 334
Scotland and Ireland Revisited	p. 335
Rum Round Two	p. 336
Return to the Halls of Montezuma	p. 337
Another Snifter	p. 338
Index	p. 341

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