The Joy of Mixology

This no-frills cocktail handbook has been hailed the “Most-read cocktail expert around” for a good reason.

Regan engagingly romanticizes cocktail and drinking culture. He details the history of specific cocktails, includes theories of how certain drinks came about and adds quotes about drinking from notable figures.

He makes you want to try drinks you have yet to try. He also muses about the philosophy of being a bartender and what it takes to be a good bartender.

Although the author makes it a humorous and fun read, the book is much more. It is a thoughtfully laid-out handbook for creating… show more.

Among professional bartenders, when asked to name just one book they would recommend you buy, a great many would point you toward Joy of Mixology. One of the first, and still one of the best books covering all aspects of bartending, cocktail history, and the fundamentals of the broader craft.  Chapter headings such as "The Theory of Mixology", "Foundations of the Bar", and "The History of Cocktails", should give you a picture of how comprehensive it is in terms of scope. A great ‘one-stop shop’ for anyone interested in advancing their knowledge of mixed drinks. 

Unlike Drinking Distilled, which mostly covers the guest's drinking experience, Gary Regan’s seminal volume looks outward, from the bartender’s perch behind the bar. Anyone interested in how the other half lives would do themselves a great service by starting here. Gary’s overview on what makes a great bartender and by extension a great bar, will find a new appreciation of their favorite bartender’s craft, adding more enjoyment to what may have been previously taken for granted when out about town.