All great bartenders, all make great books and this cocktail book is no different. Written by the “Cool-Cat” Gary Regan; a mixologist, this book is a mixture of professional advice, historical background and inspiring anecdotes.

Regan structure’s of this book starts with the very beginnings of cocktails from different origins and perspectives. Then the author, with a straight forward tone, demonstrates that being bartender is not all fun and girls; in fact like any paid job, its hard work and weighs out the pros and cons of the lifestyle of a bartender with facts and stories to support them.

Regan is not only a bartender but also a recent profession known as a “Mixologist” what’s the difference? Well, plainly the two names are synonymous but in detail it shows that anyone can be a bartender; know a few drinks, pour beer and clean glasses but in my definition I believe its a talented skill to strive and work hard for by knowing the theory and craft of mixology including the tools of the trade and its ingredients.

And lastly with the majority of the book are the cocktail recipes and their grouped families that Regan has organized for even the most difficult student; with clear measured ingredients and simple instructions with an added interesting origin background or a humourous comment on most of the cocktail written in his book.

Finally, this book is a great read because compared to the other cocktail books it is not as amateur friendly like Dale Degroff’s or as menacing and intimidating as Kazou Uyeda; but with the perfect balance of the two with an added twists, kind of like a cocktail. A cocktail that suits the tastes of those that are new to cocktails or refined as connoisseurs.

Thank you for reading

Hy and Good Bye