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The Cocktail

The Cocktail
The Influence of Spirits on the American Psyche
by Joseph Lanza

With a subtitle such as that, you might fear this some pedantic tome attempting to place a socio-political bent on good ol' booze. To an extent, it does. Or perhaps it's a psycho-therapeutic look at the gestalt of the martini. Well, yes a little. On a larger scale, this is really a book about the global love affair with the cocktail. This combination of alcohol and mixers has affected cultures for centuries, and Mr. Lanza sets out to give us the history - but scholarly and gossipy. His style is one of pure reverence; a rapture for his subject. It is perhaps this very devotion to things elevator and cocktail that has earned him the dubious honor as the premiere author of the cocktail nation. The Cocktail will certainly do nothing to dispel that reputation. Mr. Lanza takes us through the rather hazy history of the term "cocktail." He shows us it's impact on literature, music and film. Presents the rise of the lounge as elegant and/or tacky watering hole. Takes us drinking with the Rat Pack. And writes the most rhapsodic discussion of Julie London Vik has ever read. There is more to this book than just the cocktail. (And, you won't find a recipe section...though Vik does know Mr. Lanza's preferred cocktail...) It's about how a simple drink can change history and culture. It's about how, because the drink is so simple and common, we fail to even see its effect.
[St, Martin's Press, ISBN 0-312-13450-9]
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New Classic Cocktails New Classic Cocktails
by Gary Regan & Mardee Haidin Regan
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Once you have covered the history in Mr. Lanza's book, you'll need to turn to the bar and start working on your mixology. There are literally thousands of cocktail books on the market all providing their variations on the classic cocktails (Manhattan, Martini, Sours, etc.) What makes this book a delight is the newness of the cocktails. They are firmly rooted in the basics and classics of the past, but use modern ingredients and twists to update those classics. The title "new classics" is meant to predict these concoctions will ultimately take their place alongside the tried and true classics, and Vik couldn't agree more! The fact that this collection contains Marion's NYC recipe for the Metropolitan (Vik's drink of choice) makes it worth the price alone. But with so many great potions to try, your next get together will certainly be a smash.
[Macmillan, ISBN 0-02-861349-X]
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The Art of the Cocktail Party The Art of the Cocktail Party
by Leslie Brenner
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You know the history. You've mastered the impressive new classic cocktails. Think you're ready to throw a cocktail party? Think again, friend! You'll need food, a mastery of the old classics (in case someone asks) and proper planning if you're evening is to be a success. Let Leslie Brenner guide you through the steps necessary to have a smashing party. From dressing up, to barware, to wetware and food, she even provides a troubleshooting and prevention section to safeguard against disaster.
[Plume, ISBN 0-452-27235-1]
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Party Fabulous Party Fabulous
by Todd Merrel, Jack Miller & Carole Nicksin
Illustrated by David J. Verruni
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The subtitle to this is "12 Parties to Change the World." That might be a bit ambitious for a cocktail party, but this book will give you an even dozen "theme" suggestions. From an intimate Valentine's for two to a Halloween for sixty, you get tips on food, invites, drinks and games. Vik's fave? The "Breakfast at Tiffany's" theme complete with Holly Golightly hostess.
[Berkley Books, ISBN 0-452-15530-7]
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Parlor Games Parlor Games: 50 Games for Low-Tech Highbrows
by Sara Dickerman
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With all of the parties and special events happening at Vik's, you'd think we'd run out of things to do for entertainment. And you would've been right until we found this little god send. 50 of the swellest, swankest, hippest and just plain fun games you'll find all collected in a slim pocket sized volume. Games for small groups, medium groups and big groups. Games for cars.Games with props. A short list includes "Alliterative Alcatraz", "The Chocolate War", "Guggenheim", "Picasso", "Snarfing Wolverine", "Suck and Blow" and many many more. Hours of endless fun for swingers of all ages!
[Andrews and McMeel, ISBN 0-8362-1078-6]
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