The 10 Best Bartender Books
This wiki has been updated 22 times since it was first published in March of 2018. With the cocktail scene enjoying a creative renaissance at home and at the trendiest new bars, everyone wants to up their game when practicing their bartending skills. Whether you want an extensive, scientific look at how and why different ingredients go together well, or just a great introduction to some of the hottest new drinks out there, our selection of books has you covered. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Liquid Intelligence
2. Cocktail Codex
3. The Aviary Cocktail Book
Editor's Notes
October 29, 2019:
We included plenty of practical options for those looking to set up and expand their bar beyond a few bottles. Elements of Cocktail Technique and Meehan's Bartender Manual are very instructional so that a beginner can follow it. You won't find a simpler, more straight-forward book than 3-Ingredient Cocktails, as it skips all the fancy infusions and extras.
But we also included some options that will delight even the most advanced mixologists. The Aviary Cocktail Book is a beautiful, recent addition to the cocktail book canon. It's equally a work of art as it is a book of recipes.
We replaced the Ultimate Bar Book with Cocktail Codex. While the Ultimate Bar Book boasted an impressive 1,000 recipes, there was too much crammed into such a small book and a lot of unnecessary repetition. The Cocktail Codex teaches you modern variations, plus how to improvise your own drinks off of the classics, so you'll have an endless supply of new things to try.
4. The Bar Book: Elements of Cocktail Technique
5. Meehan's Bartender Manual
6. Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails
7. Keto Happy Hour
8. 3-Ingredient Cocktails
9. Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist
10. The Craft Cocktail Party: Delicious Drinks for Every Occasion
Tina Morna Freitas is a writer who lives in Chicago with her family and three cats. She has a B.A. in anthropology with a minor in English, and has built a freelance career over the years in writing and digital marketing. Her passions for cooking, decorating and home improvement contribute to her extensive knowledge of all things kitchen and home goods. In addition, her 20 years as a parent inform her expertise in the endless stream of toys and equipment that inevitably takes over the homes of most parents. She also enjoys gardening, making and sipping margaritas, and aspires to be a crazy cat lady once all the children are grown.