BooksFood and Drink

Cocktail Atlas – Around The World in 200+ Drinks Review

DISCLOSURE – THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.

Reviewed by Laura B

T’is the season for cocktail lovers! And what better gift to purchase for Christmas for your hard-to-buy-for friend or family member who loves a cocktail or three… (and who doesn’t love more than one… Hic!) especially if they also like to travel the world?

This book is a rare find it’s a beautiful work of art and can only be described as stunning. There is a section dedicated to the barware and glassware, syrups and, of course, the rest of the book is dedicated to transporting you, as you get into the festive spirit, on a classy trip around the world.

Seriously, you can travel the world without leaving your humble abode, with more than 200 drinks from every corner of the globe.

Professional bartender, and New Yorker, Chris Vola has organised his drinks recipe book with comprehensive descriptions of the customs, indigenous food and drink, topography, distilling traditions and the vibe in the ‘watering hole’ of their country of origin. There are 100 beautiful illustrations of drinks and a map of each continent. Vola has certainly researched his specialist subject in depth.

My favourite cocktails include a traditional drink from Ireland, the ‘Irish Coffee’ which I served at my most recent dinner party with a resounding success. As well as the ‘Ricard’ cocktail from France. Pastis is always my husband’s first choice when we are travelling through Europe. But he generally keeps it simple and enjoys pastis over ice. For a change, I experimented using the recipe from my new cocktail book, where the pastis is combined with grenadine in a highball glass, topped up with cold water and a small bit of crushed ice. Délicieux!

Moving on and taking me out of my comfort zone and to Germany was the ‘MasterMix’ cocktail. It’s not all ‘Oktoberfest’, writes Vola. He even goes on to suggest that you might even be slightly disappointed in visiting Germany and he goes on to report that the country’s most beloved hard alcohol brand is, wait for it… Jägermeister. He offers a taste sensation zingy cocktail that is made with the German digestif. Quite simply, you mix Jägermeister with Vermouth and Angostura bitters in an ice-filled tall glass with a brandied cherry as a garnish, and oh my goodness I think have now found my new perfect drink! And it is healthy, because after all Jägermeister is made with 56 herbs and spices!

The book is beautifully written, and is a great addition to any drink’s cabinet, bar, or anywhere really, it’s a reference book, a recipe book and a global tour guide. Don’t let the size put you off, it’s a thick heavy hard-backed book full of everything you need to know. Not only that, in my opinion, this is the perfect coffee table book. You won’t need any other book.

What a wonderful Christmas gift this book would make the cocktails are all interesting and simple to re-create, and the illustrations are creative and fun. Such an interesting book to read, sample, and have on hand for impromptu gatherings.

I plan to package this up with ingredients and glasses for my eldest son this Christmas.

RRP: £30 currently on offer on Amazon at £23.13 (at time of writing) here.
Rating: 5/5

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