Travelling Bartender

Many books out there can help you mix a drink, but Bartending For Dummies not only shows you how to make drinks, but how to stock your bar, what glasses to use and even a little trivia about some drinks. The contents are laid out in an easy to use format, and any “technical” bartending speak is explained to you. Dont get this book if you are expecting tons and tons of drink mixes, it just isnt there but it makes up for it by giving you all the practical information you need to get going!

Hey, I bought this book when I first became a bartender. Now, when I became a bartender, I lied in order to get the job. I said that I had over 5 years experience behind the bar. Hell, I hadn’t even had 5 minutes experience, let alone 5 years! I didn’t even know what glasses were for what. So, I needed a book on bartending, and I needed a good one. And I am here to tell you, this is one of the best bartending reference books ever! At first, I wanted to look like a pro, but with the help of this book, I am a pro!

When I was put on the spot to start bartending at a club I had been waitressing at in New Orleans, the first thing I did was read this book cover to cover. It saved my life! I was able to take the knowledge I gained from this book and get straight to work. People could not believe I had never bartended before. A couple of years later, I consider myself a professional bartender and work in a private fine dining establishment as their only bartender. Needless to say, I consider this an excellent book!

This book is by no means a definitive work on bartending. However, it is a good mix of information, in a well-packaged format. There are tips on everything from setting up a home bar to types of glasses to, of course, an extensive recipe list of cocktails. There are a number of suggestions on saving money, because no home bar is going to have everything – the author points out the most common spirits and liquors you’re likely to need for entertaining an average group of people, arranged by cost and numbers of guests.

The recipes are the heart of the book, with over 1000 different drinks. About half are shot recipes. There are also numerous variations on classics such as the margarita and the martini. These recipes include serving suggestions; for example, mint juleps should be served in metal glasses and proper preparation of a glass for a Bloody Caesar/Mary (rimmed with celery salt and lemon juice). The recipes are listed alphabetically by name, and there is an extensive index in the back by liquor type that is very helpful. Unfortunately, it is not cross-listed, so you’ll find yourself flipping back and forth between the index and detailed recipes when looking for new drinks to try, for which you have all the ingredients. There are also some recipes that are well-known to me that are missing from the book (most notably the Freight Train – Grand Marnier and Jack Daniels – or is this a Canadian drink that is uncommon in the U.S.?).

Finally, a word on what is not included in the book. While there are little blurbs on Scotch, wines, etc. (how they are made, some suggested common brands, etc.), there is very little on these types of alcohol, except where they are also used in a mixed drink. Of course, wines and Scotches are such big areas in their own right that they have their own “Dummies” books.