There are plenty of books and websites that list every drink ever made. But quantity does not always mean quality. For those with a discerning taste for cocktails and their history, Gary Regan’s The Joy of Mixology should be the first place to look. The book includes drink recipes along with sections on proper technique and the philosophy of bartending. Regan doesn’t take himself too seriously, referring to himself as a bartender rather than a mixologist. After reading Joy, you may even be inspired to make your own bitters.
The Joy of Mixology, $30
This is my absolute favorite bar book. It’s less about the recipes than about technique; anyone interested in cocktail theory should pick this one up. You’ll learn quite a bit about what goes into inventing a cocktail of your own. If you want something that focuses more on recipes, pick up The Bartender’s Best Friend by Gary’s wife, Mardee Haidin Regan. Many of the recipes between the two are identical, but there’s many more recipes in Best Friend than in Joy.