How to Mix Drinks, or The Bon Vivant's Companion

How to Mix Drinks, or The Bon Vivant's Companion is the first published bartending guide in the United States, written by Jerry Thomas in 1862. The book contains recipes and techniques for mixing cocktails, punches, and other alcoholic beverages, establishing standards that influenced American cocktail culture. Thomas drew from his experience as a prominent bartender at establishments across the United States and Europe to compile this comprehensive manual. The work includes sections on specific spirits, wine-based drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages, along with instructions for creating syrups and other essential ingredients. Each recipe provides measurements, steps, and serving suggestions, formatted with clarity for professional and amateur bartenders. The book also features historical notes about drink origins and proper glassware selection. The text stands as both a practical guide and a cultural artifact that documents the emergence of American mixology as a craft. Its influence on cocktail preparation and hospitality practices extends into modern bartending.

Readers value this book as a historical document of 19th century cocktail culture and credit it for preserving early American drink recipes. Many note its influence on modern mixology and bartending practices. Liked: - Clear instructions and measurements for period drinks - Historical context and bartending techniques - Entertaining anecdotes and cultural observations - Original punch recipes Disliked: - Outdated ingredients difficult to source - Some recipes lack precise measurements - Archaic language can be hard to follow - Limited illustrations Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) Several reviewers mention using it as a reference guide rather than a practical recipe book. One reader noted: "Fascinating time capsule but you'll need to adapt most recipes for modern ingredients." Another commented: "More valuable as a historical document than an actual cocktail manual for today's bartenders."

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🍸 Published in 1862, this was the first cocktail book ever printed in the United States. 🍸 Jerry Thomas was known as "Professor" Jerry Thomas and would wear flashy jewelry while mixing drinks, including a medal studded with diamonds and precious stones. 🍸 The book features the first written recipe for the Tom Collins, though the drink existed before the book's publication under different names. 🍸 Thomas was famous for his "Blue Blazer" cocktail, where he would pour streams of flaming whiskey between two mixing glasses, creating an arch of blue flame. 🍸 The original edition included many recipes for "medicinal" drinks, reflecting the era's belief that cocktails could cure various ailments, from common colds to cholera.