The best books to improve cocktail making

Why am I passionate about this?

Noel has over 15 years of experience in the hospitality sector and opened Three Sheets with his brother Max in 2016 to critical acclaim. Specialising in cocktails, the bar has a focus on simple, elegant serves that put the customer first. We were voted as the UK’s best bar at the Class Awards 2019. Three Sheets has also been listed in the World's 50 Best Bars list, rising to number 16. Three Sheets is currently Timeout London's Best Bar.


I wrote...

Batched & Bottled Cocktails

By Max Venning, Noel Venning,

Book cover of Batched & Bottled Cocktails

What is my book about?

Sick of standing in the corner making cocktails while everyone else is having fun? Fed up with having to buy loads of expensive spirits and bitters? Just want to pour a delicious cocktail any time, any place? Batched & Bottled features 50 of the best recipes for batched and bottled cocktails – cocktails you can pre-make and bottle, and either pour straight over ice or leave to mature. You'll have cocktails you can drink when you get in from work, or bottles you can crack open come Christmas/summer/birthday/Friday.

From negronis and manhattans to more complex concoctions you can infuse with botanicals or fermented ingredients, the recipes follow the seasons and range from simple, stir-through mixes, to more elaborate drinks that require kitchen prep.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Good Things to Drink with Mr. Lyan and Friends

Noel Venning Why did I love this book?

Ryan is undoubtedly the biggest name in cocktails right now. He has pioneered numerous venues in London and around the world focused on changing the way we think about bars and cocktails.

His book is not only a great entry into the world of cocktails with great classic recipes, but it also showcases interesting flavour combinations and techniques that can be used both in a bar and at home.

By Ryan Chetiyawardana,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Good Things to Drink with Mr. Lyan and Friends as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"An essential companion and an exciting treat" - Marco Pierre White"Mr Lyan is king of cocktails" - Todd Selby. Cocktails aren't just for fancy nights out and snobby home mixologists. Join award-winning and internationally acclaimed mixologist Mr Lyan (the man behind the White Lyan and Dandelyan bars in London) for cocktail hour as he shows you how 60 innovative and exciting cocktails can be part of your everyday life. Easy to make and beautifully photographed, here you will find a cocktail for every mood and occasion, from sunny day drinks and winter warmers to Friday night cocktails and morning revivers.…


Book cover of Schofields Classic Cocktail Cabinet

Noel Venning Why did I love this book?

The Schofield brothers have a combined pedigree that is hard to match having worked in some of the world’s best bars over the past 10-15 years.

Their book is an amazing collection of over 100 classic cocktails brought into the 21st century with contemporary ingredients, finest techniques, and great recommendations of spirits, ice, and garnishes for each cocktail in the book. A must-read for someone looking to delve into classic cocktails.

By Joe Schofield, Daniel Schofield,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Schofields Classic Cocktail Cabinet as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Shortlisted for the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drinks Awards 2020

'Joe Schofield is rightly known as one of the most creative bartenders of his generation, worldwide.'
- Phillip Duff - Director of Education Tales of The Cocktail

'Daniel Schofield has received worldwide recognition amongst his peers whilst working in many cities in Europe, including Paris and London. He is now based in his home city of Manchester with the future holding many exciting projects.'

Internationally renowned bartenders Joe and Daniel Schofield have worked at the some of the best bars in the world, from the American Bar at The…


Book cover of The Art of Fermentation

Noel Venning Why did I love this book?

Katz’s book may not be directly linked to cocktails in terms of providing recipes for drinks, but it has an encyclopedic level of information on how to extract ultimate flavours from ingredients through fermentation. This book has information for novices and practiced fermenters alike.

From sour tonic beverages and kombuchas to fermenting fruit and vegetables, this book will take your ingredient making skills to a level unmatched, even within the high-end cocktail bar world.

By Sandor Ellix Katz,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Art of Fermentation as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'...The high priest of fermentation theory' the Guardian

'Sandor Katz's teachings and writings on fermentation have changed lives around the world.' Dan Saladino, The Food Programme BBC

The bible for the D.I.Y set: detailed instructions for how to make your own sauerkraut, beer, yogurt and pretty much everything involving microorganisms. The New York Times

International New York Times bestseller, translated into 10 languages and over a quarter of a million copies sold worldwide

New York Times bestseller The Art of Fermentation is the only fermentation guide you'll ever need! In this book, fermentation revivalist Katz contextualises fermentation in terms of…


Book cover of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking

Noel Venning Why did I love this book?

Another book that has no cocktail recipes but one that we think is a must-read for anyone trying to improve their ability at making cocktails, or cooking skills for that matter.

Samin helps readers understand four key principles when it comes to cooking ingredients for recipes and mastering these principles, as with the fermentation book, will help you understand why ingredients react a certain way or influence a drink in a certain way.

By Samin Nosrat, Wendy Macnaughton (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Now a major Netflix documentary
A Sunday Times Food Book of the Year and a New York Times bestseller
Winner of the Fortnum & Mason Best Debut Food Book 2018

While cooking at Chez Panisse at the start of her career, Samin Nosrat noticed that amid the chaos of the kitchen there were four key principles that her fellow chefs would always fall back on to make their food better: Salt, Fat, Acid and Heat.

By mastering these four variables, Samin found the confidence to trust her instincts in the kitchen and cook delicious meals with any ingredients. And with…


Book cover of Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail

Noel Venning Why did I love this book?

This is another must-have book for cocktail enthusiasts and experienced bartenders alike. Dave is the “mad scientist” of the cocktail world. From conducting experiments on the best forms of clarification to ridding himself of a cherry allergy.

Dave analyses every aspect of making drinks from the ice to the levels of acids and sugars in certain ingredients. He has done rigorous testing so you don’t have to and explains everything to the nth detail. There are also great explanations of advanced techniques such as carbonation and clarification to take your drinks making skills to the very top.

By Dave Arnold,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Liquid Intelligence as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Dave Arnold's philosophy is simple: if you think like a scientist, you can make better drinks. Liquid Intelligence takes readers behind the bar and into the lab, where Arnold tinkers with temperature, carbonation, sugar concentration and acidity in search of new ways to enhance classic cocktails, from bubble formation to the ideal sugar compound for a daiquiri. With innovative techniques-clarifying cloudy liquids using gelatins, chilling drinks with liquid nitrogen-and practical tips for making infused liquors and homemade bitters, Liquid Intelligence is for anyone eager to learn the hows and whys of a beautifully made drink.


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Traumatization and Its Aftermath: A Systemic Approach to Understanding and Treating Trauma Disorders

By Antonieta Contreras,

Book cover of Traumatization and Its Aftermath: A Systemic Approach to Understanding and Treating Trauma Disorders

Antonieta Contreras Author Of Traumatization and Its Aftermath: A Systemic Approach to Understanding and Treating Trauma Disorders

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

As a trauma therapist and dedicated researcher, I love uncovering valuable insights within lesser-known books. There are hidden gems, free from the pressure of commercial success, crafted by authors deeply committed to research, understanding, and the art of writing itself. Their dedication resonates with me, as I believe in the profound value of information and the power of critical thinking. Through my own book, Traumatization and Its Aftermath, I aim to emphasize that psychological concepts often lose their depth in translation and my mission is spreading awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of trauma and its intricate facets. With that idea in mind, I chose these five titles. 

Antonieta's book list on uncovering the human experience and exploring the depths of trauma

What is my book about?

A fresh take on the difference between trauma and hardship in order to help accurately spot the difference and avoid over-generalizations.

The book integrates the latest findings in brain science, child development, psycho-social context, theory, and clinical experiences to make the case that trauma is much more than a cluster of symptoms to be tamed, but instead best understood as development gone off course, away from growth and towards (only) survival.

This book prompts a profound shift in perception, inviting to view trauma as an intricate and diverse experience, a point of view that ultimately leads to sharper treatment and, hopefully, more healing. It encourages a transition from asking, "What happened to you?" to the deeper question, "What is your relationship with what happened to you?"

Traumatization and Its Aftermath: A Systemic Approach to Understanding and Treating Trauma Disorders

By Antonieta Contreras,

What is this book about?

The book is comprehensive, bold, and practical-a much-needed resource for the assessment and treatment of trauma. Instead of the traditional focus on the overall importance of healing, Traumatization and its Aftermath decodes why some people don't heal as easily as others, analyzes the various failures of diagnosis, and explains how to make therapeutic interventions truly effective.

This book offers a systemic deep dive into traumatization that clarifies myths and misinformation about the entire spectrum of trauma and provides both clinicians and non-clinicians with the right level of validation, preventive measures, conceptualization methodology, assessment tools, and healing facts that have not…


5 book lists we think you will like!

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