Product Description

Hardly bigger than most fruitcakes and much more fun, Holiday Cocktails is a complete guide to getting the mix right. This bartending bible features classics such as the cozy Hot Buttered Rum and the classy Kir Royale, as well as smart and sexy libations like the elegant Christmas Morning Mimosa and the virgin Gingersnap Punch. Holiday Cocktails is the place to turn for advice no matter what's on the holiday social calendar, whether it's a New Year's blow-out, a bustling dinner party, or an intimate night for two. In addition to scores of clever ideas and party-planning tips, author and veteran holiday hostess Jessica Strand includes her take on festive garnishes, glassware, and must-have ingredients for the most wonderful time of year. Decorated with sparkling photographs, this is both a fine addition to the home bar and a pretty present for the entertainer on Santa's list.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #321579 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 80 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In this stylish little giftbook, Strand (Intimate Gatherings) offers some 50 holiday drink recipes for the times when good ol' eggnog just won't do (though she provides a recipe for it, of course). In keeping with the season's general decadence, her "Very Merry Cocktails" section features libations heavy on the creams, juices and sweet liqueurs: the Starry Night mixes coffee and Irish cream liqueurs with vodka, and is finished off with a dusting of cocoa around the rim of the glass, while the Evergreen shakes up tequila, whipping cream and crèmes (de cacao and menthe) into a deceptively strong concoction. Her section on Champagne Sippers includes a classic Kir Royale, as well as the fun Santa Baby, which marries Chambord and champagne (with the addition of a few pomegranate seeds to "rise and fall, dancing in the champagne bubbles"). She also includes punches fit for a festive crowd-Wassail, the traditional Norwegian beverage, and 'Tis the Season Sangria-as well as non-alcoholic options like Gingersnap Punch and Hot Vanilla Cream. With bright, full-color photographs in every spread, hints on important barware and even recipes for garnishes, this book should offer plenty of inspiration for the happy host or hostess.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Jessica Strand has written food columns for her hometown paper, the Los Angeles Times, and is a frequent contributor to Los Angeles magazine. She is the author of several books, including Intimate Gatherings (0-8118-1575-7). Laurie Frankel is a San Francisco-based photographer whose clients include Gymboree and Pottery Barn. Her work is also featured in The Beauty Workbook (0-8118-2385-7) and Baby Gifts (0-8118-3229-5).

Customer Reviews

A gem of a book
I've read this book from cover to cover and find the majority of drinks to my liking. So far I've tried eight recipes -- all winners. My friends liked them too. I particularly like the Christmas Cosmo, Candy Cane Martini, White Christmas, and Grinch (an odd sort of drink in color and flavor but very amusing if you like Midori and want an excuse to eat maraschino cherries).

The non-alcoholic hot drinks are very comforting, especially on cold winter evenings.

I'm a sucker for beautiful photos in recipe books and this book doesn't disappoint, but I wondered if my efforts would look as beautiful as the photos. Answer: they did. I'm looking forward to working my way through the rest of the recipes that caught my eye and taste buds.

Loved this book
I loved this book. Great photos, great recipes, and best of all... great drinks. It includes plenty of classics... and some variations that taste and look beautiful. In fact, I was just buying a few more copies for friends... and read the other reviews from our friends in Canada and couldn't believe what I was reading. Maybe they don't know how to follow a drink recipe... or should just drink whiskey straight. Anyway, I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun drink book to have as part of their cookbook collection. Cheers!

Nice Job, Coincidence
Great looking book. Kind of eerie that it came out a publication time earlier than my successful "Hot Toddies" book in 2002. Sort of like whan Hollywood decides to all of the sudden put out three "end of the world" features in a row. I was about to complain, when I noted my own publisher "biting your style" with some recipe cards. Nice world we live in. Hope they did well, by the way!

Cheers!

Chris