4 Bartending Books to Help You Make Your Fave Drinks at Home

Apartment Bartender is a column by Elliott Clark, Food52's Resident Bartender and an avid at-home cocktail enthusiast. Elliott's here to help us bring our favorite bar-worthy sips home—and with his spot-on guidance and expert tips, you'll soon be stirring, shaking, and garnishing like a pro.

There are a ton of great books and resources out there that focus on the basics of crafting great cocktails, and beyond. But if you’re looking to take a deeper dive, or to refine your drink-mixing skills at home, I’m sharing a few of my favorite must-reads.

This is by no means a full list of all the amazing drink-related books out there, but rather a handful of the best books to start you on your journey to becoming a better home bartender! Let me know of your favorite cocktail and bartending books in the comments.

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1. The Bar Book by Jeffrey Morgenthaler

This was the very first cocktail and home bartending book I purchased when I first starterApartment Bartender, and I can’t recommend it enough. Morgenthaler is a leader in the bartending and hospitality industry, so this book is backed by years of expertise and credibility, yet it’s very approachable. It dives into the basics of making cocktails at home. From techniques and tools of the trade to homemade syrups and great drink recipes, this book has you covered.

2. Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails by Alex Day, David Kaplan & Nick Fauchald

This is the first book put out by the team behind world-renowned cocktail bar, Death & Co. It is an absolute must-read for both experienced bartenders looking to refine their craft and those new to the game. The book is filled with the basics, advanced techniques, and cocktail recipes you need to know.

3. Cocktail Codex by Alex Day, David Kaplan & Nick Fauchald

This James Beard Award-winning book is the second book from the Death & Co team. If you are someone who really wants to take their drink skills to the next level, this is a great place to start. The premise of the book is that all cocktails derive from six core cocktail recipes: the old fashioned, the martini, the flip, the Sidecar, and the Tom Collins. This book takes such a vast topic and synthesizes it in a way that will have you understanding cocktails in a way you never thought you would. Plus, this book—along with the first volume—looks stunning on a coffee table.

4. The Flavor Bible by Karen Page & Andrew Dornenburg

I reference this book a lot across my channels, and for good reason: It really is the flavor bible. It is my not-so-secret weapon when it comes to creating unique cocktail recipes. It’s a very comprehensive exploration of flavors, ingredients, and how they work together; a must-have for anyone looking to create their own cocktails at home and beyond.

All four of these books will provide a very well—rounded understanding of cocktails and home bartending. They also make for amazing gifts too, so don't hesitate to pick one up for your favorite cocktail-loving friend.