A Spirited Library

Introducing the craft of mixology in your home bar is exciting – and even better when paired with a good book. Thankfully there is an abundance of captivating mixology books, aka tomes of tipples, that have graced the shelves for us libation enthusiasts. Get ready to shake, stir, and sip your way through a spectrum of flavors as these literary gems provide a spirited adventure for anyone eager to amp up their cocktail game.

“Fireside Warmers” by Emily Vikre
There are so many delicious recipes in “Fireside Warmers.” But this book isn’t just about the cocktails – it also features sweets and sharable meals to enjoy around the fire. From Campfire Monkey Bread and Pie Iron Chicken Pot Pie to Marshmallow Mules and Jungle Bird Punch, there’s a little something for everyone. And did someone say Sangria? Tinto De Verano is the laid-back friend of Sangria – and this one’s made with Oregon Pinot Noir!

“Slow Drinks” by Danny Childs
A fan of foraging? This cocktail book is for you. “Slow Drinks” teaches the reader how to transform botanical ingredients into beverages and cocktails. It’s broken down by season which makes for easy planning. The book is just as the title states, slow. So if you’re looking for quick ingredients you can purchase at the liquor store, move along. But for diehard fans of DIY, this book is for you. I’m excited to try the Alpine Amaro, Tomato Leaf Oil Washed Vodka and the Dandelion Mead.

“What We Drink in the Shadows” by Sara Weimers
“What We Drink in the Shadows” is a cocktail dream for fans of the cult TV show, “What We Do In The Shadows!” Local Bend author and WWDITS fan, Sara Weimers, leads us through character snippets and easy-to-follow cocktail recipes for Marwa, Guillermo, Colin Robinson and more. The cocktails are a fan’s way of having a drink at Nadja’s, without all the mess.

“Friday Night Cocktails” by AJ Dean
Friday Night Cocktails is the weekly cocktail planner you didn’t know you needed. There are 52 cocktails to welcome the weekend — one for each week of the year. The chapters are divided monthly with seasonally appropriate drinks. Classic cocktails and new riffs fill the book, made with easy to find ingredients. Favorite classics featured in the book include the Penicillin, Aviation and Paper Plane.

“Sip Me Baby, One More Time” by Ashley Gibson
“Sip Me Baby, One More Time” is filled with cocktails inspired by women in pop music. Think Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, The Spice Girls and many more. Each chapter syncs with a playlist for the emotion – from Heartbreak to Celebration, and each cocktail is thoughtfully crafted with inspiration from the songs. Favorites include a Gummy Worm Sour matched with Olivia Rodrigo’s Favorite Crime and the Dragonfruit Margarita to pair with BLACKPINK’S Pink Venom. My thirstiness, is killing me… How about you?

“The Ice Book” by Camper English
I’ve been an admirer of the ice science that Camper English has been doing for years. He pioneered the “directional freezing” method yielding crystal clear ice. The book features everything you need to know about making clear ice, plus some really great cocktail recipes too! My favorite ice project outlines how to freeze objects in ice, such as flowers!

“The Botanical Cocktail Deck” by Elouise Anders
Can’t decide what to make tonight? Or finding yourself wanting to try a new drink but aren’t sure where to start? A cocktail deck serves as an entertaining way to determine the next cocktail you’ll imbibe. Featuring botanical spirits, as well as twists on classics, The Botanical Cocktail Deck is a great way to discover new possibilities in home mixology. Plus, the illustrations are gorgeous!

“Mocktails: A Collection of Low-Proof, No-Proof Cocktails” from Cider Mill Press
If the beautiful silver cover doesn’t grab your attention, the 75+ craft mocktails certainly should. Each drink is packed with flavor and perfect for any occasion. Just because you’re abstaining from booze doesn’t mean you should sacrifice taste and experience.

“The Mocktail Club” by Derick Santiago
My favorite thing about this book is how the chapters are broken down. Gin-inspired cocktails, rum-inspired Cocktails, etc. It makes finding an alcohol-free alternative very easy! Looking to cut back on margaritas? There are six zero-proof recipes in the book to choose from!

“Good Drinks” by Julia Bainbridge
This book was published in 2020 but deserves a shout out since it’s quite possibly the most complex and layered alcohol-free book that I’ve laid eyes on. The recipes acknowledge that a spirit-free drink doesn’t always need to fit into the same boxes as a spirited one. There’s a certain commitment level to the drinks, calling for N/A Spirits to be purchased or creating DIY syrups and ingredients to stock your spiritless pantry. But definitely worth the effort.

—Alyson Brown is a beverage photographer and drink stylist with an appreciation for a well-built cocktail. Her passion for cocktails led to her first book, “The Flower-Infused Cocktail: Flowers with a Twist,” available wherever books are sold. Alyson currently resides in The Stacks Studios in The Old Mill District. To see more of her work, visit alysonbrown.com

This article appears in Toast! 2024.