Buzz
Welcome to “Cookbook of the Week.” In this series, I showcase cookbooks that stand out for their uniqueness, user-friendliness, or personal significance. While online recipes offer quick solutions, there’s an undeniable charm in exploring a truly exceptional cookbook.
This week, I’m introducing a unique type of cookbook. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, your menu is likely set, ingredients bought, pie dough prepped, and hopefully, your turkey is thawing in the refrigerator. Whether your Thanksgiving dinner is filled with joy or awkward conversations, a drink might be just what you need. This week’s featured cookbook is Batch Cocktails.
A few years ago, I began preparing batched cocktails for gatherings, and it revolutionized my hosting experience. For those new to the concept, batching involves mixing a large quantity of a drink in advance, allowing it to be served effortlessly with just a garnish, ice, or a splash of mixer. This approach means less time spent attending to guests, easier cleanup, and more opportunities to craft a unique, signature drink.
For those planning to host gatherings in the upcoming weeks, my top advice is to prepare cocktails in batches. This book is an excellent resource for that.
An introduction to the book
Authored by Maggie Hoffman and released in 2019, Batch Cocktails feels like having your quirky best friend guide you in the kitchen. She encourages you to experiment with unusual combinations, such as blending coffee with grapefruit juice—something you might hesitate to try unless suggested by someone you trust. And surprisingly, it turns out to be a fantastic idea.
The book offers 65 cocktail recipes, including a dedicated section for non-alcoholic beverages. While Hoffman is renowned for her innovative alcoholic recipes (having established the beverage segment at Serious Eats and crafting drinks for Epicurious), her second book showcases recipes from bartenders across the nation. The unique aspect? It transforms exclusive single-serve cocktails from trendy bars into large batches suitable for serving 8 to 12 people at home, without compromising on quality.
Creating a batch cocktail isn't just about scaling up the ingredients and refrigerating them. It involves considering fresh fruit juices, herbal infusions, carbonated elements, and the crucial factor of correct dilution. Hoffman emphasizes flavor, alcohol balance, and simplicity for the preparer.
An excellent resource for the savvy party host
This isn’t your average drink guide—it’s a curated assortment of sophisticated and elegant cocktails designed to wow your guests. The complex calculations for scaling and diluting large batches are already done for you. Even if you need to double a batch, the process is far simpler than creating drinks from scratch. Hosting a party this way shows true ingenuity.
For hosts aiming to serve a standout punch that delights their guests, this cocktail book is a must-have. Whether you’re planning a winter holiday gathering, a spring birthday celebration, or a summer eclipse party, this book ensures you can socialize and enjoy the event stress-free. Batch Cocktails offers unique, flavorful recipes, prep timelines, and stunning, festive drinks that are ready to pour when the party begins.
What to expect from the recipes
The recipes are organized into chapters based on dominant flavor profiles, such as Savory & Smoky, Spicy, or Fruity & Tart, with batching tips and conversions provided at the end. Most recipes feature a manageable list of four to eight ingredients, including spirits, syrups, citrus juices, and water, though some punch recipes may require a few more components.
Hoffman meticulously details her alcohol suggestions, offering practical examples. For example, she might specify '1 cup of 100-proof rye (like Rittenhouse)' instead of a generic 'whiskey.' By mentioning the proof, whiskey type, and a brand example, she provides clarity—though this could be restrictive depending on local availability. Some recipes call for niche ingredients such as Chartreuse or Punt e Mes vermouth. Unless your home bar is exceptionally well-stocked, you’ll need access to a liquor store with a diverse inventory or plan ahead for delivery.
Once you’ve gathered the required ingredients, Hoffman’s instructions are exceptionally straightforward. Each recipe begins with a flavorful anecdote or description, followed by two to four paragraphs outlining mixing, timing, and chilling steps. For recipes involving homemade components, like cranberry cordial, the process is explained at the bottom of the page and is always simple, often just a matter of boiling and straining.
In addition to the main table of contents, the book includes a few unexpected and highly practical sub-lists. Following her advice on aging cocktails, there’s a section titled 'Drinks That Keep' with corresponding page numbers. The back of the book features a curated list of drinks tailored to seasons and occasions, such as Thanksgiving, tailgating, engagement parties, or even casual nights with 'TV and Takeout.'
The drink I prepared this week
This week, I struggled to make a choice. I bookmarked several extravagant recipes for my upcoming Christmas party (though I’ll need to narrow it down to two). For a regular week, however, I was unsure. Given the week’s events, I turned to the 'Boozy' chapter (pausing briefly at 'Bitter' but moving on) and finally chose the Bardstown.
The Bardstown cocktail combines dry curaçao, rye whiskey, and apple brandy, enhanced with a touch of orange bitters. Described as a 'potent little number,' its robust flavor is immediately noticeable, offering a bold experience. What truly stands out, however, isn’t just its strength but the harmonious blend of citrus aromatics that smooth out the sharpness of the rye and brandy. The subtle additions of bitters and orange twists mellow the drink’s fiery intensity. Another advantage is its shelf stability; the Bardstown can be stored in the fridge for future occasions, whether for a festive gathering or a quiet evening.
Where to purchase
Worried it’s too late for Thanksgiving? Think again! Batch Cocktails is accessible as both an ebook and a hardcover. With the Kindle app, which works on any smartphone or tablet, you can start reading right away. Once you’ve secured your copy, jot down the ingredients and head to the liquor store—or better yet, assign the task to someone else. I highly recommend trying the Perfect Circle cocktail, a blend of bitter and sweet aperitivo flavors that’s ideal for pre-holiday meals.
If you prefer the hardcover edition (and who could blame you—it’s stunning), it might not arrive in time for Thanksgiving. However, it will be perfect for your Christmas or New Year’s festivities.
