There’s nothing we love over here in Negroni Land more than a classic cocktail done well. And this is the perfect book to make it happen. My personal favorites: My classic I just got home from work Gin and Tonic, the French 75, the Negroni )of course), Pink Lady, Tom Collins, and more. This one will have your home bar looking like a professional job.

Classic Cocktails Done Well
Tried-and-True Recipes for the Home Bartender
Author: Faith Hingey

eARC & Cookbook Review
Release Date: October 18, 2022

My Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

In Faith Hingey’s book, Classic Cocktails Done Well, readers and users can work to perfect their “home-bartending game” and learn to mix 75 classic cocktails.

Broken into an introduction, gin, whiskey, brandy, rum, and et cetera section, this book goes over making classic cocktails at home with easy to follow steps. The introduction and first chapter gives users the perfect chance to learn more about the background of cocktails, as well as mixing tips and tricks, basic tools and ingredients to have on hand, and anything else you might need when making an at-home beverage.

The recipes themselves are well written and can easily be followed. Hingey also includes bullets like “Modern Twist” to different recipes, giving users the chance to amplify their cocktails.

While there are not images of every drink, the ones included are well staged and good quality.

Personally, my favorite section is the “Cocktails by Occasion.” It offers suggestions for different events like brunch, date night, a daytime barbecue, and more. I think this is a great way to suggest appropriate cocktails for different events!

All in all, this is a great book, very user-friendly, and perfect for anyone just getting into making cocktails. This will be the perfect addition to any bar cart or kitchen.

Thank you NetGalley, Zeitgeist, and Faith Hingey for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Classic Cocktails Done Well is a nicely curated easy to understand bar book by Faith Hingey. Due out 18th Oct 2022 from Penguin Random House on their Zeitgeist imprint, it's 192 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.

This is a well organized and accessible bar book. All the recipes are photographed and serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate.
The recipes are arranged by main liquor ingredient: gin, whiskey, brandy, rum, and other liquors; individual cocktails are arranged alphabetically in each chapter. Each recipe includes an introductory description and yields, ingredients in imperial standard (oz) measurements, and step by step instructions. Barware and tools are also listed. Variations and alternatives are provided at the end of the recipes. The book also includes a useful links list and resources for further reading as well as a cross referenced index.

Many of the ingredients should be available at any well stocked grocery/liquor store although some might need to be sourced at specialists. Cocktails are such a civilized interlude and this book includes a solid cross section of classics to build mixology skills and impress one's friends at the next gathering.

Five stars. A good resource for the home mixologist.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

In my opinion, cocktails have been enjoying a renaissance. However, they can get pretty pricey. If you want to host at home, here is a good resource. It is divided into sections on having the classics at home, followed by drinks made with gin, whiskey, brandy, rum and “other spirits and liqueurs.” There are also sections at the end of the book including one on cocktails by occasion.

This title is filled with recipes and photos. I enjoyed the first chapter with its explanation of the cocktail’s history and styles. This was followed by a section that made suggestions for stocking one’s bar in terms of both the alcohol and the glasses. Following this was information on cocktail making techniques. I learned quite a bit in this part of the book before going on to the directions for the 75 different drinks.

Each recipe begins with some history on that drink. There is then a list of the tools needed along with the ingredients and directions.

This book is a terrific resource. Just remember…please drink responsibly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zeitgeist for this title. All opinions are my own.