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Resources

a bar above

Bar & Cocktail Resources

I use this page to showcase some of the best resources and products that I can find. You should know that everything on this page is something I truly believe is high quality and a good value.

Some of the links below are affiliate links, and some of the brands featured on this page may sponsor this site – but be assured that my first priority is quality.

There are dozens of incredible bar and cocktail books out there, going way back into the 19th century.

My Top Three:

I put together a list of my top three Cocktail books for a recent podcast episode. Here they are again!

Gaz Regan’s Joy of Mixology

Contrary to our comments in the episode, this book came out in 2003 and has become extremely well known in the industry. Gary (Gaz) is one of the folks often credited with the resurgence of the Craft Cocktail movement overall – and I’m sure this book had a big piece in that!

The great thing about this book is that it’s not just a list of recipes. Rather, Gaz fills it with stories and concepts that help teach the base concepts of mixology so you will have the knowledge to create and adapt recipes

Evan Goldstein’s Perfect Pairing

This one’s the cheater! This book is not actually a cocktail book at all – it’s all about wine pairings. But I think Chris makes a good point in including it in this conversation. Unless you’re out at a bar, chances are pretty good you’ll be enjoying your cocktail with food. So knowing the core concepts of pairing food and drinks is a great skill to have!

This book is a great place to start in learning how to pair food and wine – and to leverage those concepts for spirits and cocktails as well.

Food and Wine: Cocktails
(For the Current year)

This one’s the cheater! This book is not actually a cocktail book at all – it’s all about wine pairings. But I think Chris makes a good point in including it in this conversation. Unless you’re out at a bar, chances are pretty good you’ll be enjoying your cocktail with food. So knowing the core concepts of pairing food and drinks is a great skill to have!

This book is a great place to start in learning how to pair food and wine – and to leverage those concepts for spirits and cocktails as well.

The Rest of My Bookshelf:

Those three are great, but I really can’t stop there. Here are several other books that you’ll find on my bookshelf:

Blogs We Love

These blogs are some of my favorite websites and people – from the scientific to the culinary, I think you’ll like them all!

Alcademics by Camper English
Art of Drink by Darcy O’Neil
The Straight Up – Pre-Prohibition Cocktails & Modern Twists on Classics
Rated R Cocktails – Tiki meets Halloween
Stir & Strain – One of the most beautiful Cocktail blogs out there
BevSpot Blog – Great advice here for folks who want to learn the management side of the business

Online Training and Classes

Somehow “Online bartender Training” has been given a terrible reputation, but not all online training is bad. There really are some great options out there for folks who are looking to learn more and improve their skills without leaving their computers. Here are our top three:

BarSmarts Wired

BarSmarts is unquestionably the industry leader, and I learned a lot from this program. The emphasis is on learning cocktail and ingredient history, as well as getting really comfortable with the classic cocktail recipes that everyone should know. I strongly feel that anyone who’s looking to make a career in the Hospitality industry behind the bar should absolutely take this course

Our Very Own Mixology Certification Program

A bit of a shameless plug here, but I do strongly believe that our Mixology Certification is first rate.

We built this program to pick up where BarSmarts ends. Understanding Cocktail components dives deeper into the complexity of cocktail ingredients and how they work together, and Mixology 101 pieces all of that information together into a simple framework for cocktail design. You’ll finish these courses with the ability to look at a shelf of bottles and know exactly what to do with it.

ChefSteps

While not officially a “cocktail” focused site, this culinary training site has a couple great mixology classes like Fluid Gels and Spherification. Definitely worth a visit.

Reviews

Are you enjoying the Podcast and finding it Helpful?

Leave us a rating in iTunes!

Thanks!

MEET CHRIS

WHAT’S SHAKIN’?

Resources

a bar above

Bar & Cocktail Resources

My Top Three:

Gaz Regan’s Joy of Mixology

Evan Goldstein’s Perfect Pairing

Food and Wine: Cocktails
(For the Current year)

The Rest of My Bookshelf:

Blogs We Love

Online Training and Classes

BarSmarts Wired

Our Very Own Mixology Certification Program

ChefSteps

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Reviews

Are you enjoying the Podcast and finding it Helpful?

Leave us a rating in iTunes!

Thanks!

MEET CHRIS

WHAT’S SHAKIN’?

Resources

a bar above

Bar & Cocktail Resources

My Top Three:

Gaz Regan’s Joy of Mixology

Evan Goldstein’s Perfect Pairing

Food and Wine: Cocktails (For the Current year)

The Rest of My Bookshelf:

Blogs We Love

Online Training and Classes

BarSmarts Wired

Our Very Own Mixology Certification Program

ChefSteps

Food and Wine: Cocktails
(For the Current year)