Fall Cocktail Reads

The resurgence of the cocktail culture has led to some great books about drinks. Many are the average bartending guide (some are worthy of attention) while others expand on the culture itself or a specific theme. Here are some new notables just in time for fall reading...

• The Daily Cocktail: 365 Intoxicating Drinks and the Outrageous Events That Inspired Them
  A different cocktail for each day of the year: not a bad idea. For those times you find yourself stuck in a rut and looking for something new, just open the book to today's date and there's your daily cocktail. Not only do you have a wide range of drinks, but you also get a little history lesson. The authors found an event in history for each day of the year that was significant for one reason or another (i.e. Mata Hari's execution, the first Barbie sale, etc.) and either chose an appropriate cocktail or created a new one.
• What to Drink with What You Eat: The Definitive Guide to Pairing Food with Wine, Beer, Spirits, Coffee, Tea - Even Water - Based on Expert Advice from America's Best Sommeliers
  Available October 2nd, this book claims to be the ultimate food/drink pairing guide. Whether you're eating homemade Chinese food or a bucket of KFC there is a drink that fits perfectly. Better yet, choose your drink then decide which food will compliment that.
• Hemingway & Bailey's Bartending Guide to Great American Writers
  Here's one for the reader of classic American literature. It's not available until some time in October, but it looks intriguing. The book highlights the works and lifestyles of 43 famous authors of the classic cocktail period with their drink of choice, excerpts of their writing and some quirky insights into their mannerisms.

Photo Credit: © 2006 Colleen Graham licensed to About.com