Uncover the History of the Timeless Cocktail: The Old-Fashioned

Craig Snell: Personal use

United States on Aug 25, 2023

Kathryn Head: The first half of the book is history and information and the back half is all different recipes. The recipes come with a blurb about that variation of the drink and there are lots of pictures for presentation. There is an index in the back to quickly browse or to find a favorite.

It's incredible to see how many different variations there are! I don't like whiskey at all but there are a lot of recipes that are with brandy or gin or something else! My roommate is a bartender and she enjoyed going through it and made a few comment about how you could substitute name brand cherries or bitters if you're not ready to make the jump to ordering several different kinds right away.

I bought this a gift for my boyfriend who recently got a customized monogramed decanter and glasses set as a groomsman gift and he was ecstatic to try new recipes with all of them. He's using it as a coffee table book in the mean time and guests have enjoyed flipping through it and it's a great conversation starter. I highly recommend getting this book for yourself or for a loved one.

United States on Aug 16, 2023

Robert K. Sischka: What a great history with stories and recipes. As an Old-Fashioned lover, I was quite pleased with the stories, history, and recipes given. I've already tried a few and will continue to try more, all of which have been adventures. I loved the book so much I bought one for my sister-in-law, who also loves Old-Fashioned's, too....and we've been playing back and forth with trying new recipes from the book over family dinners. Highly recommended!

United States on Jul 15, 2023

Jason S.: Very cool book. Great recipes in the back.

United States on Feb 16, 2023

Niklas Morgan: Das mit den Anekdoten stimmt, das mit den Rezepten ist etwas relativ. Ja, wenn man alle möglichen Sorten von Whiskey austauscht hat man viele Varianten. Dazu noch, wenn man einmal Würfelzucker und einmal braunen Zucker oder Sirup nimmt. Aber das war es dann auch schon! Whiskey, Eis, Zucker, Bitter, Orangenschale. Ende der Rezeptur.

Man kann das Buch lesen, muss es aber nicht wirklich. Auch als Liebhaber des Old Fashioned nicht unbedingt. Eher trinken...

Germany on Oct 27, 2022

Fox: Very informative and enjoyable to read and can't wait to try the recipes

Canada on Dec 20, 2021

Maya L: This makes for a great gift. Lots of fascinating history and great recipes!

Canada on Feb 22, 2021

ACossette: Love the history behind the drink(s).

Canada on Jun 08, 2020

Anna: Well presented book. Hard cover and really smooth exterior. Book is full of information and recipes. Can't wait to gift it at Christmas.

United Kingdom on Dec 09, 2019

Observer: Make no mistake; this is a good book and a must have for anyone who wants to sit down and read the history of a particular cocktail. And, as would be expected, there are more than a few recipes to play with, all of which sound fine except the bacon fat Old Fashioned and that thing they drink in Wisconsin, but to each his own.

Simonson traces the history of the drink as best it can be traced, through old bartenders manuals and newspaper clippings filling in here and there with anecdotes of some of the more colorful characters one expects to meet on such a journey. It's also important, or I think it is, that younger fans of good cocktails be grounded in some history, particularly how Prohibition adversely affected our drinking habits. There isn't simply a cocktail renaissance occurring, but an American whiskey renaissance producing high quality spirits that are better than anything made before Prohibition. A few years ago,George T. Stagg Bourbon, a 140 proof masterpiece was chosen in a blind tasting by international experts as the finest spirit in the world. Take that brandy lovers.

Cards on the table; I am an Old Fashioned snob, and I suspect Simonson is as well. I'm...

United States on Jul 30, 2016