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The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails Hardcover – November 4, 2021

by David Wondrich (Editor), Noah Rothbaum (Editor)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 304 ratings
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Anthropologists and historians have confirmed the central role alcohol has played in nearly every society since the dawn of human civilization, but it is only recently that it has been the subject of serious scholarly inquiry. The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails is the first major reference work to cover the subject from a global perspective, and provides an authoritative, enlightening, and entertaining overview of this third branch of the alcohol family. It will stand alongside the bestselling Companions to Wine and Beer, presenting an in-depth exploration of the world of spirits and cocktails in a groundbreaking synthesis.

The Companion covers drinks, processes, and techniques from around the world as well as those in the US and Europe. It provides clear explanations of the different ways that spirits are produced, including fermentation, distillation, and ageing, alongside a wealth of new detail on the emergence of cocktails and cocktail bars, including entries on key cocktails and influential mixologists and cocktail bars. With entries ranging from Manhattan and mixology to sloe gin and stills, the Companion combines coverage of the range of spirit-based drinks around the world with clear explanations of production processes, and the history and culture of their consumption. It is the ultimate guide to understanding what is in your glass.

The Companion is lavishly illustrated throughout, and appendices include a timeline of spirits and distillation and a guide to mixing drinks.
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  1. Print length
    864 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  4. Publication date
    November 4, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    10.07 x 2.04 x 7.34 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0199311137
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0199311132
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails
The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails
The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails
The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails
The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails

Editorial Reviews

Review

"the ultimate tome for the cocktail enthusiast in your life, compiled by the most respected voices in the industry. You'll be able to endlessly revisit this reference piece that touches on every nook and cranny related to libations. Naturally, it's best perused with a cocktail in hand." -- Charles Joly, co-founder of Crafthouse Cocktails, The 44 best holiday gifts for cooks and foodies, according to experts, CNN Underscored

"deftly answers all manner of questions... the scholarship is clear. Footnotes abound and the cross-referencing is Wikipedic in scope." -- , Economist, 'The five essential guides to improved mixology'

"The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails stands out as an authoritative and congenial guide to the world of hard liquor... One can consume its vast and varied knowledge in sips or long deep draughts, using its meticulously organized critical apparatus to steady oneself... the book will make an excellent companion for both the drinker and the bartender, adding savour to the beverage and the craic." -- Judith Hawley, Times Literary Supplement

"Forget Google - for everything you ever wanted to know about the origins, meanings and processes of drinks, plus the facts and stats on the people and places behind them, this bad boy is your go-to." -- , The Cocktail Lovers

"Seasoned imbibers, boozers, quaffers and alcoholics please take note: here is the first major reference work to cover the subject globally. Inebriating, intoxicating, it will definitely keep your spirits up." -- Robert Tanitch, Mature Times

"The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails" is an enormous and authoritative work of scholarship, nearly a decade in the making...You enter as if through batwing saloon doors. Buy a copy for the curious drinker in your life and perhaps he or she will boomerang one back to you." --The New York Times

"This one is a biggie in all senses of the word... Trust us when we say that it's packed with absolutely everything you need to know about the fascinating world of drinks." -- The Cocktail Lovers

"[A] heck of a lot of knowledge about a vast many of the things has been packed into this beautifully illustrated beast of a book that these drinks experts have been toiling over for nearly a decade...[W]hat a pile of riches this volume contains. I wish I'd had it years ago but am glad to have it now." --The Washington Post

"A must-have compendium for any drinks lover." -- Julie Sheppard, Decanter

"I have a reasonably large collection of books on the subject, but none is as comprehensive as... Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails" -- Tom Molloy, Irish Independent

"Start on any page of this new, definitive encycolopedia of cocktail history and let it take you on a journey from entry to entry. It's a boozy Wikipedia you can hold in your hands." -- Camper English, Big Issue

"Noah and Dave are extremely knowledgeable individuals in the spirits and cocktails space who, I can only imagine, had the most spectacular time researching, tasting, and perfecting this must-have guide for any spirits buff." --Dan Aykroyd, actor, writer & creator of Crystal Head Vodka

"Get ready to know everything you wanted, and plenty you never knew you needed, about the complex world of spirits and cocktails. Brought to you by two of the greatest minds in tippling, this compendium will impress you, and more importantly your friends, with its depth, breadth, and downright substance. If you're as passionate about spirits as I am, this companion will knock you off your cocktail napkin." --Aisha Tyler, actor, director, Emmy Award-winning TV host and creator of Courage + Stone bottled cocktails

"The world of spirits and cocktails is wide and enduring, and their impact on culture has been extensive; this book acts as a much-needed insight into the true breadth of the subject -- including details beyond the well-trodden products and categories. Shining a light on the multitude of forms, facets and nuances found around the world, this is an essential guide for those new and curious to the world of drinks and for seasoned enthusiasts alike." --Ryan Chetiyawardana

"Leave it to the great minds of Wondrich and Rothbaum to create what the industry has needed for so long, the definitive book on imbibing. From the basics of things you do know like bourbon or martinis, to in depth looks at things you don't, like pisco or Blue Blazers, this book is a MUST have for whetting the whistle and knowing what you need to know the world over." --Ivy Mix

"A tour de force: The new, definitive authority on the history and craft of cocktails and spirits, curated by two of the most experienced and critically acclaimed writers in the industry."--Ted Allen, host of James Beard Award-winning show Chopped and best-selling author

"With 1,150 alphabetical entries, The Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails is the ultimate guide to drinks terminology. It works as a dictionary and a recipe book, or something to dip into and emerge hours later." -- , Waitrose Drinks

"Cocktail fans will quench their thirst for knowledge with this mammoth, authoritative and illuminating guide, written with great wit and astounding scholarship by James Beard Award-winner David Wondrich and co-editor Noah Rothbaum." --Shelf Awareness

About the Author

David Wondrich is a James Beard Award winning author, cocktail historian, mixologist, and educator, and one of the pioneers of the current renaissance in the art of mixing drinks. He is an acknowledged authority on spirits and their production, having written extensively on most categories in the market. A former English professor, his long-time interest in the arcana surrounding spirits and cocktails led him to leave academia to become Esquire Magazine's drinks correspondent, and later senior drinks columnist at the Daily Beast. David has written four books on drinks: Esquire Drinks; Killer Cocktails; Imbibe! (the first cocktail book to win a James Beard award); and Punch.

Noah Rothbaum is the editor of the Daily Beast's Half Full section. Under his leadership, the site won the 2018 and the 2020 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication. He also hosts the podcast Life Behind Bars with legendary cocktail historian David Wondrich, which won the 2018 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for Best Podcast Series and, according to the New York Times, is "a perfect comfort listen for the curious drinker." His publications include The Art of American Whiskey: A Visual History of the Nation's Most Storied Spirit Through 100 Iconic Labels, The Business of Spirits: How Savvy Marketers, Innovative Distillers, and Entrepreneurs Changed How We Drink, and the forthcoming The Whiskey Bible.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press (November 4, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 864 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0199311137
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199311132
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.54 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.07 x 2.04 x 7.34 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 304 ratings

About the authors

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Previous page
  1. Noah Rothbaum

    Noah Rothbaum

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Noah Rothbaum is the editor of The Daily Beast’s Half Full section. Under his leadership, the site won the 2018 and the 2020 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication. He also hosts the podcast Life Behind Bars with legendary cocktail historian David Wondrich, which won the 2018 and 2021 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for Best Podcast Series. According to the New York Times, it’s “a perfect comfort listen for the curious drinker” and Imbibe UK says it “is informative, fun and seriously witty.”

    In addition, Rothbaum is the author of the book The Art of American Whiskey: A Visual History of the Nation’s Most Storied Spirit, through 100 Iconic Labels and the forthcoming The Whiskey Bible. He is the associate editor of the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails, which is slated to be published in the fall of 2021. His first book, The Business of Spirits: How Savvy Marketers, Innovative Distillers, and Entrepreneurs Changed How We Drink, was published in 2007.

    According to Chicago magazine’s chief dining critic, Jeff Ruby, “Rothbaum knows drinking like Newton knew gravity, but he’s not all high and mighty about it, creating laws and whatnot.” And The Wall Street Journal’s Speakeasy blog called him “one of the smartest tipplers (and writers on spirits) we know.”

    See more on the author's page
  2. David Wondrich

    David Wondrich

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    David Wondrich was born on the banks of the Monongahela and raised mostly in suburban New York City. After working as a house painter, a mattress stuffer, messenger, clerk and process server for a mob lawyer, bass player in more bands than he can count and a dozen other things, he settled down and earned a doctorate in Comparative Literature, specializing in Latin scientific poetry. That led to a job as an English professor, which he didn't like. What he did like was writing about jazz and ragtime for the Village Voice and the New York Times and about cocktails for Esquire, a job he began in 1999 and did until 2016. Today he is the Senior Cocktail Columnist at the Daily Beast. He is the Editor in Chief of the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails (2021). Imbibe, his 2007 tribute to Professor Jerry Thomas, has become an essential text for bartenders and cocktail geeks alike. It is the first cocktail book to win a James Beard award. Punch, his 2010 follow-up, has helped refill the flowing bowl around the world.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
304 global ratings
Perfect for our Monthly Cocktail Club!
5 Stars
Perfect for our Monthly Cocktail Club!
I created a Monthly Cocktail Club that we host at our house for friends. Some of our friends are new to creating cocktails, so I wanted to have a reference book available. I read a lot of articles, trying to find the perfect reference book - and this book is the one I selected. I'm so glad I did!This book is an A to Z encyclopedia of cocktails. It includes the history of all things cocktail related, as well as definitions of the various kinds of spirits and tools.Each entry is brief enough to read quickly, yet still contains a lot of interesting information.I like having this book sitting out on the counter during our Cocktail Clubs, so anyone can use it if they want to look something up. I also reference pages that relate to whatever cocktail we tried each month, and I post the references to our private Cocktail Club Facebook Group in case anyone wants to read more.I think this book offers something for everyone - whether you're just getting started crafting cocktails, or you're an experienced bartender. It's a great reference book to have in your home library!
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Top reviews from the United States

JDM
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for our Monthly Cocktail Club!
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2022
Verified Purchase
I created a Monthly Cocktail Club that we host at our house for friends. Some of our friends are new to creating cocktails, so I wanted to have a reference book available. I read a lot of articles, trying to find the perfect reference book - and this book is the one I selected. I'm so glad I did!

This book is an A to Z encyclopedia of cocktails. It includes the history of all things cocktail related, as well as definitions of the various kinds of spirits and tools.

Each entry is brief enough to read quickly, yet still contains a lot of interesting information.

I like having this book sitting out on the counter during our Cocktail Clubs, so anyone can use it if they want to look something up. I also reference pages that relate to whatever cocktail we tried each month, and I post the references to our private Cocktail Club Facebook Group in case anyone wants to read more.

I think this book offers something for everyone - whether you're just getting started crafting cocktails, or you're an experienced bartender. It's a great reference book to have in your home library!
Customer image
JDM
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for our Monthly Cocktail Club!
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2022
I created a Monthly Cocktail Club that we host at our house for friends. Some of our friends are new to creating cocktails, so I wanted to have a reference book available. I read a lot of articles, trying to find the perfect reference book - and this book is the one I selected. I'm so glad I did!

This book is an A to Z encyclopedia of cocktails. It includes the history of all things cocktail related, as well as definitions of the various kinds of spirits and tools.

Each entry is brief enough to read quickly, yet still contains a lot of interesting information.

I like having this book sitting out on the counter during our Cocktail Clubs, so anyone can use it if they want to look something up. I also reference pages that relate to whatever cocktail we tried each month, and I post the references to our private Cocktail Club Facebook Group in case anyone wants to read more.

I think this book offers something for everyone - whether you're just getting started crafting cocktails, or you're an experienced bartender. It's a great reference book to have in your home library!
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4 people found this helpful
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Karl Erich Martell
5.0 out of 5 stars What a joy to read
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2023
Verified Purchase
This has been sitting in my wish list since its release, and I finally got around to picking it up on a lark as a gift for my wife. Wow, what an . . . obsessive academic endeavor! And pretty clearly a labor of love. The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails doesn't have everything about everything, but if you want to know about cocktails or spirits, well - you really need this in your library (I'll be buying more as gifts). It is FUN to read, too: my wife and I will read articles to one another out loud (it sounds crazy, but the writing is so good that it's a total hoot). We almost always learn something. We're always entertained by it. And we generally wind up fixing a drink, so . . .
One person found this helpful
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D Jonathan Curtis
5.0 out of 5 stars DAVID WONDRICH'S SEMINAL WORK
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
I have been praying for a work like this for decades to act as a replacement for the once king, but now long out of date "Grossman's Guide to Wines, Beers, and Spirits" - and David Wondrich's "Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails" is it! Packed with solid information, documented with page references, a home run game changer for the world of the bar & beverage industry! Move to the top of F&B Directors' Short List of annual "MUST READS".
Customer image
D Jonathan Curtis
5.0 out of 5 stars DAVID WONDRICH'S SEMINAL WORK
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2021
I have been praying for a work like this for decades to act as a replacement for the once king, but now long out of date "Grossman's Guide to Wines, Beers, and Spirits" - and David Wondrich's "Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails" is it! Packed with solid information, documented with page references, a home run game changer for the world of the bar & beverage industry! Move to the top of F&B Directors' Short List of annual "MUST READS".
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8 people found this helpful
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Lincoln
5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you ever wanted to know about Spirits and Cocktails but were afraid to ask your bartender
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
Full Disclosure: I've know David and Noah for a number of years.
This book is a triumph of knowledge and experience over rumor and old wise tales. Each page is filled to the brim with insightful instructions and useful (and real world useable) information. From everything on how to properly make a Bee's Knees cocktail to origin of the Swizzle stick.
It's the prefect book for the true cocktail and Spirits nerd.
If you ever wanted to clear the 'Potent Potables' category on Jeopardy this is the book to study.
3 people found this helpful
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Juvet Valentin
4.0 out of 5 stars Too much information
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2022
Verified Purchase
I'm a little disappointed. This is way more information than what I was looking for. It's a great encyclopedia about alcohol, but it's not practical if you want to make cocktails
2 people found this helpful
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Chuck Thegze
5.0 out of 5 stars superb
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
It's a big, heavy encyclopedia that is fascinating and very well written. Love this guy.
One person found this helpful
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BEB
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Gift for Your Favorite Mixologist!
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
This was my brother's big Christmas book this year and he was thrilled. He would retire from the socializing to peek at the book. It was a great hit and he'll know everything there is to know about cocktails after reading this.
2 people found this helpful
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Lars Spuybroek
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
No question about it, this is pure knowledge of drinking--absolutely joy to read and sip from.
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Top reviews from other countries

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German
5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal para seguir aprendiendo
Reviewed in Mexico on November 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
Este libro está diseñado, para leerlo de 3 maneras, como enciclopedia, leerlo de manera corrida o como una guía de estudio y poder complementar tus estudios al estar leyendo un segundo libro sobre bares o bebidas en general , es el libro más completo para estudiar / aprender coctelería términos métodos en general. Es un libro impreso en ingles aun no sale una traducción al español. Fisicamente es muy bonito, el encuadernado es muy sobrio elegante para presumirlo en tu librero o centro de mesa.
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Sarah Fretwell-Jex
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely brilliant!
Reviewed in Canada on January 30, 2022
Verified Purchase
The most comprehensive book on this topic!
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Unknown person
5.0 out of 5 stars A masterwork
Reviewed in Germany on February 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
Extremely important book - a must have in the library
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TeeVeeGee
4.0 out of 5 stars Een als woordenboek opgezet boekwerk over drank en cocktails
Reviewed in the Netherlands on November 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
Het boek behandeld vrijwel alle achtergronden op het gebied van (sterke) drank, cocktails en hun oorsprong. Het is geenszins een cocktail handboek, hoewel veel klassiekers wel zijn vernoemd. Voor mensen die van een kleurrijk boekwerk houden.....helaas, het is op dun, mat papier gedrukt in zwart/wit.

Een boek bedoeld voor mensen die informatie en achtergronden zoeken; in alfabetische volgorde.
One person found this helpful
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NYRangers
5.0 out of 5 stars A Big Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2021
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Well it’s a big book set out like a dictionary or encyclopaedia. It’s very different to your everyday cocktail book and to be honest, in my opinion, it isn’t for the casual drinker. It’s for those who want to know about things. It’s comprehensive but funnily enough the first thing I looked for wasn’t there. I’d just bought a bottle of Advocaat (Warninks) as it’s the time of year it suddenly appears in Supermarkets… .Perhaps it will get into the next edition.
2 people found this helpful
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