The Curious Bartender: The Artistry and Alchemy of Creating the Perfect Cocktail - Hardcover

Preparing a first-class cocktail relies upon a deep understanding of its ingredients, the delicate alchemy of how they work together - their flavor, aroma and color. Most of all, mixing a sublime cocktail is an art. In The Curious Bartender: The Artistry and Alchemy of Creating the Perfect Cocktail, the mastermind behind three of London’s most avant-garde cocktail bars Tristan Stephenson explores and experiments with the art of preparing the perfect cocktail, explaining the fascinating modern turns mixology has taken.

Showcasing a selection of classic cocktails, Tristan explains their intriguing origins, introducing the colorful characters who inspired or created them and how they were intertwined within their historical context. Moving on, he reinvents each drink from his laboratory, adding contemporary twists to breathe fresh life into these vintage classics. Stay true to the originals with a Sazerac or a Rob Roy, or experiment with some of his modern variations to create a Green Fairy Sazerac topped with an absinthe “air” or an Insta-age Rob Roy with the “age” on the side. Also included is a reference section, detailing all the techniques and equipment you will need, making this an essential and exciting anthology for the cocktail enthusiast.

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Born from punk roots and built on pure conviction, Microcosm Publishing is a fiercely independent press that champions voices the mainstream overlooks. What started in 1996 as a milk crate of zines in Cleveland has grown into a movement spanning Cleveland and Portland - still defiant, still independent, but with the polish of purpose. They publish with intent: to spark change, to arm readers with knowledge, and to celebrate the stories and ideas too bold, or too weird, for the conventional shelf. Microcosm isn’t just a publisher; it’s a call to action. A reminder that the revolution starts with what you read.