The Cocktail Codex

This is my favorite book. It introduced the idea of Root Recipes and fundamentally changed the way I think about how cocktails work. Start here and you’ll be off with your best foot forward.

Meehan’s Bartender’s Manual

By far the best book I’ve read on Bar Fundamentals. Rather than just being another recipe book, Jim Meehan dives into what it takes to design, build, and operate a bar, with poignant insights from Sommeliers, Ice Sculptors, and Furniture Designers.

The Flavor Bible

I use this book religiously. The Flavor Bible basically works as a dictionary for complementary flavors. It’s full of endless inspiration, and leads to so many “Duh!” moments my forehead may have permanent bruising.

The Bar Book

This book is an excellent place to start. It is technique driven, giving you the tools you need to actually make all of the fantastic recipes held in its pages. It also has great recipes for syrups, garnishes, and everything in between.

Liquid Intelligence

This is the book that started it all. When my sister got me this book for Christmas in 2013, I don’t think she realized what she was releasing on the world. Dave Arnold is essentially the Bill Nye The Science Guy of the Bar World, and this book details the science and chemistry that makes cocktails so magical.

Death & Co

Death & Co is the most important, influential, and oft-imitated bar to emerge from the contemporary craft cocktail movement. Since its opening in 2006, Death & Co has been a must-visit destination for serious drinkers and cocktail enthusiasts, and the winner of every major industry award—including America’s Best Cocktail Bar and Best Cocktail Menu at Tales of the Cocktail

Jerry Thomas’ Bartenders Guide

First produced in 1862, this is considered to be the first cocktail book ever published. It was written by “The Professor” Jerry Thomas, (for more on him, check out Imbibe) and is probably the most famous bartenders guide and cocktail book ever written. The recipes and measurements are archaic, so be prepared to do a little re-jiggering to get them right.

The Savoy Cocktail Book

An excellent companion to Jerry Thomas’ Book, The Savoy Cocktail Book was published in 1930, and is another amazing resource in the hunt for long-forgotten recipes due for a modern revival. Harry Craddock was a US citizen who left during Prohibition and joined the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel, London, in 1920. He is credited with inventing tons of classic drinks, including one of my personal favorites, the Corpse Reviver #2.

Also, I love the artwork.

Dead Rabbit

Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog in Lower Manhattan has dominated the bar industry, receiving award after award including World's Best Bar, World’s Best Cocktail Menu, World’s Best Drink Selection, and Best American Cocktail Bar. Jack McGarry and Sean Muldoon are certified badasses, and their book is definitely a good start to get you on your own path to join them.

PDT

To say I’m a little bit of a fanboy for Jim Meehan would be an understatement. PDT is one of my favorite New York bars, and it happens to only be accessible through one of my favorite New York Hot Dog Stands, Crif Dogs. If you get the chance, go visit. If you can’t go right now, get the book to hold you over. Although, I can’t promise it’ll make the waiting any easier.

Cocktail Techniques

If, like me, (and the rest of the bar world) you’ve been nursing a small obsession with the world of Japanese Bartending, this is the book for you. Kazuo Uyeda is the pioneer of Ginza-style cocktail technique, and the creator of the famous Japanese Hard Shake. He is also a man of few words and fierce privacy. This book provides invaluable insight into his technique and philosophy behind making beautiful drinks.

The Aviary

This book might be one of the most beautiful things I own. The Aviary Cocktail Book is not just one of the most advanced bartending books out there, delving deep into the territory of molecular gastronomy and cocktail chemistry, it’s also a freaking work of art. I feel like I need a glass display case and a pedestal to display this thing properly. The ultimate gift for the cocktail nerd you really, really, really love.

Imbibe

David Wondrich is the undisputed master of cocktail history. His books are insightful, intriguing, and incredibly well researched. This book delves into the life of “The Professor” Jerry Thomas, author of the first written cocktail book, and one of the most influential bartenders in history.

Punch

Another fantastic delve into history with David Wondrich, Punch is the oft-untold history of the punch bowl. This book contains history, recipes, and excellent anecdotes about the drink that was the most popular beverage in the world for almost 300 years.

Bitters

An excellent book that details the history of Bitters, along with recipes and formulae for crafting your very own! Bitters are an indispensable cocktail seasoning, and are one of the only alcoholic products to have survived through Prohibition. A fantastic guide to professional and home bartenders alike, this book will see your walls lined with bottles of homemade bitters in no time.

Smuggler’s Cove

Written by Martin and Rebecca Cate, founders and owners of the most acclaimed Tiki Bar of the modern era, Smuggler’s Cove is a fascinating dive into the history of the mysterious and misunderstood world of Tiki Cocktails. Featuring more than 100 delicious recipes, plus a groundbreaking new approach to understanding rum, Smuggler’s Cove is the magnum opus of the contemporary tiki renaissance.

The Drunken Botanist

The book is absolutely fascinating. Author Amy Stewart explores the dizzying array of herbs, flowers, trees, fruits, and fungi that humans have, through ingenuity, inspiration, and sheer desperation, contrived to transform into alcohol over the centuries. This book has a wonderful way of making old spirits and cocktails seem new and exciting again, and is also great inspiration to get back into the garden.

Proof

Proof is the definitive guide to the science of alcohol. Adam Rogers chases the physics, biology, chemistry, and metallurgy that produce alcohol, and the psychology and neurobiology that make us want it. If you’ve ever wondered how your drink arrived in your glass, or what it will do to you, Proof makes an unparalleled drinking companion.