The Classic Cocktail Sessions

A convivial master class in classic cocktails from the James Beard Award-winning authors of The Bartender’s Manifesto

“A foundational reference for anyone driven to refine their craft while appreciating the timeless gravity of the classics.”—Alex Day, coauthor of Cocktail Codex and the Death & Co books and partner at Death & Co

Classic cocktails are the ABCs of the craft of mixology. Drinks like the Daiquiri, Old Fashioned, and Negroni are timeless, universally beloved, and versatile. A perfect Margarita or Manhattan will never go out of style. When made with good technique and the occasional creative flourish, these drinks transform from everyday staples to supernovas of deliciousness. Anybody can learn to mix killer versions of these storied cocktails with aplomb, but as every bartender knows, getting really good at it takes a bit of practice. There are a few dozen ways to make a great Martini, and a million ways to mess one up.

In The Classic Cocktail Sessions, you’ll learn how to make these classic recipes with confidence. Bartender Toby Maloney has honed his approach to these drinks for decades, and here, he and co-author Emma Janzen invite you to join them behind the bar for a “session” with each cocktail—a captivating, in-depth tutorial on how to create good balance, texture, aroma, and temperature, how different brands of ingredients impact the outcome of a drink, and how to personalize the classic formulas with subtle adjustments and twists. There is no one right way to make an Espresso Martini or a Mai Tai—but with this book’s guidance, you’ll learn how to make the version that speaks to you. With Maloney’s signature wit and wisdom front and center, plus a dynamic design and Janzen’s transportive photography, this is one of the most lively and compelling additions to the canon of classic cocktail books in years.