Day drinking 50 cocktails for a mellow buzz

This fun and easygoing cocktail book serves up an intriguing mixture of unique and classic low-alcohol cocktails for anyone to enjoy at any time of day. Alongside more common recipes, Odell compiles signature cocktails of her own and those of bartenders from large cities across the U.S. (and a few in London), with amusing names such as Panache Indochine, Friends with Benefits, Break the Bank, and Saved by the Basil. Chapters include Bartending Basics, Summer Lovin', Warm Me Up, Wildcard Cocktails, and Buzz-Free Beverages. The basics chapter is a succinct yet informative introduction to the various glassware, tools, and liquors that are utilized throughout the book. The subsequent chapters feature light cocktails, aperitifs, hot beverages, party punches, drinks with unique ingredients, and mocktails. Included alongside the recipes are pro tips and informative sidebars, where readers will discover lesser-known ingredients. Peppered throughout are vibrant and vivid photographs of featured cocktails or the author, complemented by the cheery 1970s color scheme and font style.--Smith, Becca Copyright 2017 Booklist

Blogger and food writer Odell (Eater.com) writes this breezy book for low-alcohol cocktails, tapping into a recent trend for drinks with less kick but all the creativity and flavor of the craft cocktail movement. Odell presents an assortment of 50 cocktails that make use of beer, sherry, wine, sake, and other low-proof bases and mixers for sipping all day, including punches, sangrias, coolers, aperitifs, and toddies. Besides the drink recipes, there are many combinations for syrups, tinctures, and infusions that add flavor and interest. Cutting-edge ingredients include sour beer, osmanthus oolong tea, and shochu. Be prepared to discover fresh ingredients and employ two or three types of preparations for many drinks. There are sections on beverages for cold weather, hot days, batching drinks for groups, as well as several alcohol-free items. There are also details on both common and unusual ingredients, as well as how to mix drinks. -VERDICT With a laid-back vibe, this is a solid collection for party hosts seeking some unusual and trendy cocktails. Recipes skew toward the sweet and fruity, so perhaps not the best choice for hard-core cocktail -purists.-Devon Thomas, Chelsea, MI © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Cocktail Basics: Bar Tools, Equipment, and Useful Ingredients The great thing about learning how to make drinks, as compared with learning how to cook, is that the tools of the trade are relatively inexpensive. Sure, you can score a pricey Japanese gold cocktail shaker on a website like Cocktail Kingdom, but you really don't need one. Which is what I love about drinks. Unlike food (which, come on, I love, too!), where you need at least a set of pots and pans and basic utensils for the process, you can pretty much mix up a drink with a cup and a spoon. Herein you'll find a guide to the implements, intoxicants, and pantry items that will help you create the concoctions in this book. If you don't have everything on the list, don't sweat it. Again, most any cocktail can be improvised with common kitchen equipment. Tools and Equipment Any craft requires tools, and following is a list of gadgets that are helpful in building the drinks in this book. Some will sound familiar, while others may seem obscure. None is absolutely make-or-break essential, but they'll certainly come in handy. Excerpted from Day Drinking: 53 Low-Alcohol Cocktails for a Mellow Buzz by Kat Odell All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.