Buzz
The artisanal cocktail trend has become somewhat overwhelming, and while I’m not complaining, many believe it has turned overly elaborate with infusions, exotic syrups, and locally-sourced herbal extracts. In Cocktails for Drinkers, Jennifer McCartney offers practical advice for crafting “a strong, satisfying cocktail right at your kitchen counter,” without the need for muddling.
This is part of Mytour’s book review series. Not every life hack can be condensed into a blog post, so we’re diving into some of our favorite transformative books to explore life’s most significant topics in depth.
Positioned as the “anti-hipster drink guide” that’s “ideal for both hipsters and their critics,” McCartney humorously critiques the craft cocktail scene with sharp wit and plenty of alcohol.
Who Should Read This Book
This book is tailored for those who want their drinks straightforward and potent. The cocktails featured are robust, simple to prepare, and often generously sized. Given the hearty pours in the recipes, this book suits anyone unafraid to savor a hint of pure alcohol.
If you’ve used the term “artisanal” sincerely in the past month, this book might not be for you. However, if you cringe every time I mention crystal-clear ice cubes, you’ll likely find it amusing. That’s not to say enthusiasts of homemade bitters and smoked ice won’t enjoy it, but a good dose of self-awareness and humor is essential.
Each drink recipe uses three ingredients or fewer, excluding garnishes, and keeps instructions as straightforward as possible. The aim isn’t to create the perfect martini but to enjoy delicious, easy-to-mix drinks that get the job done. It’s also an ideal gift for that friend who takes drinking way too seriously.
What You’ll Find Inside
Cocktails for Drinkers is organized by spirit type, featuring cocktails made with:
Vodka
Gin
Rum
Whiskey, bourbon, and rye (all in one chapter)
Tequila
Brandy
Champagne and Prosecco
Wine
Beer
Assorted liquors and liqueurs.
Before diving into the recipes, McCartney shares her relaxed approach to drinking in a highly engaging introduction.
McCartney not only avoids fancy bar tools but also encourages measuring ingredients by sight. Her logic is hard to argue with:
You don’t even need a shot glass to measure. What’s the worst that could happen? Oops—too much alcohol in my drink? That’s not a real problem. Use your eyes to pour liquor from the bottle into a glass of ice. Add your other ingredients. Stir. Enjoy.
McCartney’s take on bitters and garnishes is equally relaxed. While she recommends having premade grenadine and simple syrup on hand, they’re not essential, and she sees garnishes as mostly for visual appeal.
Every section includes a brief, often humorous history or anecdote about the featured spirit, many of which are laugh-out-loud funny. For instance, the tequila chapter opens with a college party story that ended in a friend’s hospitalization, humorously concluding with the advice, “don’t let your kids go to college.” Beyond these anecdotes, the book is packed with straightforward recipes. You might notice some classics like the French 75 or Sazerac are missing, as they don’t fit the “three-ingredient rule.” Still, there are plenty of well-crafted, budget-friendly recipes that stay true to the book’s no-fuss ethos.
One Key Takeaway
This book is all about shifting your mindset, encouraging you to relax and enjoy the process. Its core message—“it’s just alcohol, so don’t stress”—is as refreshing as the Bloodhound cocktail (4 strawberries + 2 ounces gin + 2 ounces sweet vermouth) you’ll find within its pages.
The standout feature of Cocktails for Drinkers is its abundance of cocktail ideas that taste great without requiring a pricey liquor store haul. While many recipes are simple “liquor + soda” combos, there are also more refined options like the Americano (2 ounces Campari + 2 ounces sweet vermouth + splash of club soda) and the Gimlet (4 ounces gin + 2 ounces lime cordial + lime wedge).
Our Verdict
Cocktails for Drinkers is an entertaining and humorous book filled with plenty of practical cocktail recipes that will definitely get you tipsy. It’s perfect for anyone looking to start mixing drinks at home but is nervous about getting the measurements wrong. It’s also just a delightful read. Just as I began taking things too seriously, I stumbled upon McCartney’s “recipe” for “White Wine,” which is simply a bottle of white wine that you’re advised not to let breathe.
In terms of flavor, the drinks range from extremely sweet to bone-dry. I’m not a fan of overly sugary cocktails and found those sweetened with syrup or honey (like the Bee’s Knees, made with 3 ounces gin + 1 ½ ounces lemon juice + 1 ½ ounces honey) a bit too much. However, the alcohol-forward drinks were robust and satisfying, with serving sizes that aren’t for the weak-hearted.
While it goes against the book’s laid-back vibe, I have a few minor critiques. One crucial aspect of cocktail-making is knowing when to shake vs. when to stir. Contrary to what Bond movies suggest, a shaken martini is a travesty. Shaking is best reserved for drinks containing syrups, juices, or other ingredients with varying viscosities that need thorough mixing. This isn’t necessary for all-alcohol cocktails, as shaking can dilute them. McCartney suggests stirring and straining the gin martini but recommends shaking a vodka martini for an “extra-cold” result. Meanwhile, the Bee’s Knees, which contains honey, would benefit from shaking rather than just combining and serving over ice.
I admire McCartney’s avoidance of unnecessary bar tools like expensive stirring glasses, but some cocktails simply taste better when stirred. While it’s easy to get carried away with “rules,” some recipes in Cocktails for Drinkers swing too far in the opposite direction. For instance, the Bloodhound recipe calls for “mashed” strawberries, which, while achievable with a fork, is essentially muddling—something the introduction promised to avoid.
These are minor criticisms, and they might not matter to everyone. You could argue that these points prove I’m exactly the type of person this book wasn’t written for. After all, who am I to judge? I drink Campari and soda out of a coffee mug.
You can purchase Cocktails for Drinkers: Not-Even-Remotely-Artisanal, Three-Ingredient-or-Less Cocktails that Get to the Point on Amazon for $12.26.
