The Art and Alchemy of Perfect Cocktail Preparation

The preparation of a top-notch cocktail is based on a deep understanding of its ingredients and the fine alchemy of how they work together – their taste, aroma, and color. Above all, mixing an exquisite cocktail is an art.

In "The Curious Bartender," Tristan Stephenson, the mastermind behind three of London's most avant-garde cocktail bars, explores the art of perfect cocktail preparation and experiments with it. He explains the fascinating modern twists that mixology has taken. Through a selection of classic cocktails, Tristan outlines their interesting origins and introduces the colorful characters who inspired or created them, as well as their interconnections in a historical context. He then reinvents each drink from his lab, adding contemporary touches to breathe new life into these vintage classics. Stay true to the originals with a Sazerac or a Rob Roy, or experiment with some of his modern variations to create a Green Fairy Sazerac with an absinthe air or an Insta-age Rob Roy with age on the side. Also included is a reference section detailing all the techniques and equipment you will need, making this an essential and exciting anthology for the cocktail enthusiast.