Let's Get Fizzical

This book was Informative, instructive, and illustrative - this book belongs on every home bar. Absolutely loved it!

I love a good cocktail and Let's Get Fizzical: Over 50 Bubbly Cocktail Recipes with Prosecco, Champagne, and Other Sparkling Wines made all my mimosa and fizzy drink dreams come true. This is the perfect brunch cocktail or any type of bridal or baby shower cocktail book.

I'm a "let's make mimosas" or drink during brunch kinda gal, but the background behind different types of the bubbly was totally unknown to me. I mean sure, I saw them in the grocery store aisle and of course I've drank one, or two, or several, but beyond knowing they tasted different I didn't know anything else. Let's Get Fizzical gives readers the background on where they're made, the flavors you'll taste, what you can use in a pinch, the best glasses to use, and how to prepare the cocktail your taste buds want. For me, I loved the style of the book, it's old Hollywood glamour and very Mad Men. The flavor chart? Greatest thing ever. Trust me when I say you want to make yourself a Rossini, Campari Spritz, or even better sounding, the Pornstar Martini Reinvented. Not only is the book fun, it's both a conversation starter and actually a very well laid out recipe book.

Let's Get Fizzical wasn't really the book for me. While I found myself learning a lot about the different types of champagne and fizzy drinks, I didn't really like the writing style as whole. I found the style to be a little over the top and, forgive the pun, too bubbly for me to take very seriously.

Still this book wasn't a complete waste of time. Like I said I did learn a lot about types and how champagne is made. Which I did find to be interesting. And the recipes themselves were alright, I could see myself possibly using some of them in the future. Though honestly a lot of them seemed to be over the top, not to mention expensive to make.

In the end I gave this book 3 stars on Goodreads.

This book is so much fun! Sparkling cocktails always feel festive, so this book full of bubbles is perfect for the holidays. Starting with basic and traditional sparkling cocktail recipes, the author puts her own spin on old favorites like the Bellini, French 75, and Kit Royale, plus brings the bubbles to recipes not typically found with sparkles like Negroni and Margarita. Plus the colors, presentation and layout are fun and light, so I can see going back to this book time and again to make something special.

I love the creative formatting of this book. The recipes are fantastic and the illustrations are modern and fresh!

Let’s Get Fizzical is a striking and entertaining book on the singular topic of: fizz.

Cue champagne, cava, prosecco, sparkling wine, or whatever you use to toast to the most. Though this book is undoubtedly targeted to a twenty-something’s crowd, it’s a reliable compendium for anyone for whom tastes range from convenience store Andre Brut, to the more popular if wallet-draining Cristal and Dom Perignon.

Pippa Guy is a London-based Senior Bartender at the American Bar in the famed Savoy Hotel who, just last year, earned the “senior” ranking – only the second woman in 100 years to do so. “I fell in love with this industry because of my love for people and the social aspect that comes with a cocktail,” Guy says in the forward. “A drink is so much more than a blend of ingredients, it’s a experience of history, learning, creativity and sociability.”

It’s that attitude that compels both the reader and home mixologist into an educational and delicious to this page-turner. This book lies somewhere between Wine Folly’s Master Guide (master guide to all types and terroirs), Peter Liem’s mammoth Champagne: The Essential Guide to the Wines, Producers, and Terroirs of the Iconic Region (master guide to champagne specifically) and Victoria James’ recent Drink Pink: A Celebration of Rosé (whimsical exploration into rosé). It contains history, from how the bubbles are made to proper storing, how long it keeps once the bottle has been opened and why it’s typically served in a flute; as well as a guide on what separates Champagne from Lambusco and Moscato D’Asti from Cava.

As a minimalist and home bartender, my favorite part about this book is how accessible it is. There are plenty of misconceptions about wine and champagne and people who drink mimosas on Sundays, but the fact remains champagne, like rosé, is one of those year-round, goes-with-anything drinks. Good alone, good as a cocktail and always something to bring around in times of celebration. The illustrations show the differences in hue; the differences in glass type; the differences and pros/cons of certain bar tools; additionally, once you get to the recipe section, the illustrations really make the difference between a drink you thought was too much work and one that will blow your mind once you get how it’s made.

Other bonuses, the step-by-step infusion guide to take fizzy drinks and even other spirits (gin, vodka, etc.) to a higher level by infusing with everything from rosemary to citrus peels and dried rose petals; as well as the flavor chart, which shows what types of fruits and other additions make better companions to your chosen spirit.

The recipe section is fantastic – featuring over 50 recipes starting with the classic Bellini to Guy’s own Pearfection and American Bar’s famed American Moonwalk. If I’m going to be critical of a book that celebrates the art of celebration, I would say my recipe for a Mimosa is more a glass of champagne with a drop of orange juice as opposed to the 50/50 split Guy’s recommending. I understand we’re not all that way, so you’ll just have to try them all and make your own conclusions.

[Note: I received an ebook copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.]

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy! Since bubbly wine is my all time favorite, this book was perfect for me. I love how the author explains the differences between all sparkling wines, such as champagne, prosecco, cava, Lambrusco, etc. Her recipes are very easy to follow and she gives a little history on each recipe. This book would be a perfect hostess gift!

Let's Get Fizzical is gorgeously designed and photographed. I appreciated the primer on various bubblies at the beginning—Pippa Guy presents the basics in a clear and simple (but still fun) style. The recipes themselves are a great combination between standby classics and offbeat updates. This would make an excellent birthday or holiday gift for any home cocktail enthusiast or frequent party host. I'll be picking up a copy for myself in preparation for holiday parties.

Wonderfully photographed and engagingly written, Let's Get Fizzical is a fun collection of recipes for sparkling cocktails and coolers. The book contains a helpful amount of information about the winemaking process, and tasting notes for various classes of sparkling wines. These recipes are great for parties or special occasions, but also for any day that can be elevated to a new sparkly level.

Love this guide! I’m a fan of sparkling wine, and this shows you such a large variety of ways to make a good drink that much more outstanding. Step by step instructions starting from basic equipment and rules, working up to recipes. All recipes have a diagram or picture, so you know what you’re aiming for yours to look like. Beautiful presentation and on point content.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a very well done book. The design is fun and lively while still remaining classy. It evokes a bit of retro charm. This speaks well to an audience who wants to learn about all things fizzy, Graphically, the diagrams for different drinks help a lot when trying to figure out proportions. Makes the whole thing much more accessible. To non-bartenders who just want to play with fizzy drinks. The writing is well executed and a great addition to the excellent photography. All and all a worth-it book for the at-home bartender who wants a bit of fizzy charm in their bar. I know I do!

I was excited to get a chance to read this one, as champagne and of course bubbly cocktails are something I really love.
Overall I found this to be really solid, it breaks down the how it's made, taste, bubbles, pallet flavors you will come across in bubbly in every single form. It throughly covers them all. So I'll feel a little more knowledgeable the next time I visit my local store.
The tools you need, glasses are also all very simply explained.

The cocktail recipes are varied, and nearly each classic recipe has extra fresh and modern takes on it.
These took what I had thought were going to be complicated recipes and very clearly and simply broke them down. Anyone can make these without a hassle. And they're sure to be delicious.

YUM. A book full of sparkling cocktails pulled together by Pippa Guy, senior bartender at the "world's best bar" (American Bar at The Savoy Hotel): the recipes and ingredients sound delicious, and the gorgeous photographs make me want one of each RIGHT NOW. Helpful sections at the front of the book explain what makes wine sparkly; the difference between champagne, prosecco, cava, and sparkling wine; and some of the different ingredients and equipment needed for these drinks. Now, to plan a cocktail party!