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Books : diffordsguide Cocktails 7
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Rating: 
- The best of the best
I've owned (or been given) a number of different cocktail recipe books over the years. Not a single one of them comes anywhere close to the exhaustive range (2000+ recipes) and precision of Difford's. I now find myself looking at other cocktail books and laughing at their ludicrous oversimplification - you can find books that call themselves 'The Professional Bartenders Guide' which suggest that the only Martini recipes in existence are 'dry', 'sweet' and 'Gibson'. Diffords by comparison has dozens - and comes with an excellent potted history of some of the major classic cocktails.
Many recipes come with short notes suggesting variants (and the reasons for variation) and there are numerous tweaks to classic cocktails listed that you'll want to try.
The best bar none.
Rating: - Excellent but please stop naming brands
This is an excellent book. If nothing else Simon has covered an incredible number of cocktails and commented on every one. In some cases, he has explained the history and variations of the most popular cocktails in dedicated pages throughout. There is a photograph of each one and a star rating for hints on which ones to avoid.
For some cocktails like the Mai-Tai, Simon has documented several versions, including the original Trader Vic's one and many of the modern variants. The recipies are accurate easy to follow and there is very useful index of cocktails by ingredient at the back.
I have one complaint though and that's the constant referring to spirits by brand name. All the way through each ingredient is specified by brand; Ketel One Vodka, Remy Martin cognac etc. It is obvious sponsorship as more mundane products like 'ginger beer' and 'ice-cream vanilla' are not branded. I'm sure a cocktail made with the very cheapest ice-cream would suffer more than one made with a less expensive brand of vodka.
This is taken to the extreme in the index where under "Creme de Cassis" it says "See Giffard creme de cassis liqueur."
However, I've given it 5 stars and it's very well deserved. My advice, buy the book without hesitation. Then purchase alternatives to all the spirits he names by brand and then maybe we'll see a new edition that says "Premium Vodka" instead of specific brand placement in future.
Rating: - Absolutley amazing
This is perhaps the best guide to creating cocktails I have come across. There are enough recipes in here to keep anybody happy, ranging from the classics to some realy obscure and wonderful mixes. All of the drinks have clear directions and a picture showing how the drink should look and be best presented.
Rating: - BRILLIANT!
I've just started a new bar job, and I pretended I'd done it before!haha So in a panic, I needed a really good book I could learn basics from! I couldn't decide on amazon which cocktail book I wanted, so I went into Waterstones - I'd seen Difford guide mentioned on Channel 4's "Come Dine with Me" where one of the hosts had his cocktail published in it! I must say this is by far the BEST cocktail book around! This has even got the history of cocktails! Which glasses to use for what, and the different techniques for making cocktails! As well as every cocktail I could possible think of - with pictures. Tells you what glass, garnish and how to serve it i.e with straw, etc. I liked it so much, I couldn't wait ordering it from Amazon, i bought it for £25 straight away! Well worth it! I think the size of it and the fact that its hardback, makes it an added bonus! All the other books I looked at were tiny in comparison!
A friend of mine has just turned 21 and my best friend has just moved into her first home, so I bought this book for them with a bottle of booze and a cocktail shaker, and both of them LOVED it and I've been invited round to many parties! :-) They're both copying me, and buying this book for other friends!
Diffords Guide makes an excellent addition to anyones library who likes food & drink! Even if you never want to make cocktails, it's just a really nice book open up and look at! A great buy for yourself or as a gift!
5*
Rating: - Just the best
Simply the best cocktail guide out there, the Difford's Guide are excellent, well presented, clear, and uses UK measures. Just a great all round book, I now have to copies of #7
- The best of the bestI've owned (or been given) a number of different cocktail recipe books over the years. Not a single one of them comes anywhere close to the exhaustive range (2000+ recipes) and precision of Difford's. I now find myself looking at other cocktail books and laughing at their ludicrous oversimplification - you can find books that call themselves 'The Professional Bartenders Guide' which suggest that the only Martini recipes in existence are 'dry', 'sweet' and 'Gibson'. Diffords by comparison has dozens - and comes with an excellent potted history of some of the major classic cocktails.
Many recipes come with short notes suggesting variants (and the reasons for variation) and there are numerous tweaks to classic cocktails listed that you'll want to try.
The best bar none.
Rating:
- Excellent but please stop naming brandsThis is an excellent book. If nothing else Simon has covered an incredible number of cocktails and commented on every one. In some cases, he has explained the history and variations of the most popular cocktails in dedicated pages throughout. There is a photograph of each one and a star rating for hints on which ones to avoid.
For some cocktails like the Mai-Tai, Simon has documented several versions, including the original Trader Vic's one and many of the modern variants. The recipies are accurate easy to follow and there is very useful index of cocktails by ingredient at the back.
I have one complaint though and that's the constant referring to spirits by brand name. All the way through each ingredient is specified by brand; Ketel One Vodka, Remy Martin cognac etc. It is obvious sponsorship as more mundane products like 'ginger beer' and 'ice-cream vanilla' are not branded. I'm sure a cocktail made with the very cheapest ice-cream would suffer more than one made with a less expensive brand of vodka.
This is taken to the extreme in the index where under "Creme de Cassis" it says "See Giffard creme de cassis liqueur."
However, I've given it 5 stars and it's very well deserved. My advice, buy the book without hesitation. Then purchase alternatives to all the spirits he names by brand and then maybe we'll see a new edition that says "Premium Vodka" instead of specific brand placement in future.
Rating:
- Absolutley amazingThis is perhaps the best guide to creating cocktails I have come across. There are enough recipes in here to keep anybody happy, ranging from the classics to some realy obscure and wonderful mixes. All of the drinks have clear directions and a picture showing how the drink should look and be best presented.
Rating:
- BRILLIANT!I've just started a new bar job, and I pretended I'd done it before!haha So in a panic, I needed a really good book I could learn basics from! I couldn't decide on amazon which cocktail book I wanted, so I went into Waterstones - I'd seen Difford guide mentioned on Channel 4's "Come Dine with Me" where one of the hosts had his cocktail published in it! I must say this is by far the BEST cocktail book around! This has even got the history of cocktails! Which glasses to use for what, and the different techniques for making cocktails! As well as every cocktail I could possible think of - with pictures. Tells you what glass, garnish and how to serve it i.e with straw, etc. I liked it so much, I couldn't wait ordering it from Amazon, i bought it for £25 straight away! Well worth it! I think the size of it and the fact that its hardback, makes it an added bonus! All the other books I looked at were tiny in comparison!
A friend of mine has just turned 21 and my best friend has just moved into her first home, so I bought this book for them with a bottle of booze and a cocktail shaker, and both of them LOVED it and I've been invited round to many parties! :-) They're both copying me, and buying this book for other friends!
Diffords Guide makes an excellent addition to anyones library who likes food & drink! Even if you never want to make cocktails, it's just a really nice book open up and look at! A great buy for yourself or as a gift!
5*
Rating:
- Just the bestSimply the best cocktail guide out there, the Difford's Guide are excellent, well presented, clear, and uses UK measures. Just a great all round book, I now have to copies of #7
