Customer Reviews
The best of the best - By: Matt P, 17 Nov 2008 
I've owned (or been given) a number of different cocktail recipe books over the years. Not a single one of them comes anywhere close to the exhaustive range (2000+ recipes) & precision of Difford's. I now find myself looking at other cocktail books & laughing at their ludicrous oversimplification - you can find books that call themselves 'The Professional Bartenders Guide' which suggest that the only Martini recipesin existence are 'dry', 'sweet' & 'Gibson'. Diffords by comparison has dozens - & comes with an excellent potted history of some of the major classic cocktails.
Many recipes come with short notes suggesting variants (and the reasons for variation) & there are numerous tweaks to classic cocktails listed that you'll want to try.
The best bar none.
Excellent but please stop naming brands - By: Mr. R. J. Huntley, 06 Nov 2008 This is an excellent book. If nothing else Simon has covered an incredible number of cocktails & commented on every one. In some cases, he has explained the history & variations of the most popular cocktailsin dedicated pages throughout. There is a photograph of each one & a star rating for hints on which ones to avoid.
For some cocktails like the Mai-Tai, Simon has documented several versions, including the original Trader Vic's one & many of the modern variants. The recipies are accurate easy to follow & there is very useful index of cocktails by ingredient at the back.
I have one complaint though & that's the constant referring to spirits by brand name. All the way through each ingredient is specified by brand; Ketel One Vodka, Remy Martin cognac etc. It is obvious sponsorship as more mundane products like 'ginger beer' & 'ice-cream vanilla' are not branded. I'm sure a cocktail made with the very cheapest ice-cream would suffer more than one made with a less expensive brand of vodka.
This is taken to the extremein the index where under "Creme de Cassis" it says "See Giffard creme de cassis liqueur."
However, I've given it 5 stars & it's very well deserved. My advice, buy the book without hesitation. Then purchase alternatives to all the spirits he names by brand & then maybe we'll see a new edition that says "Premium Vodka" instead of specific brand placementin future.
Absolutley amazing - By: John Nunn, 02 Nov 2008 This is perhaps the best guide to creating cocktails I have come across. There are enough recipesin here to keep anybody happy, ranging from the classics to some realy obscure & wonderful mixes. All of the drinks have clear directions & a picture showing how the drink should look & be best presented.
BRILLIANT! - By: BookWorm, 29 Feb 2008 I've just started a new bar job, & I pretended I'd done it before!haha Soin a panic, I needed a really good book I could learn basics from! I couldn't decide on amazon which cocktail book I wanted, so I went into Waterstones - I'd seen Difford guide mentioned on Channel 4's "Come Dine with Me" where one of the hosts had his cocktail publishedin it! I must say this is by far the BEST cocktail book around! This has even got the history of cocktails! Which glasses to use for what, & the different techniques for making cocktails! As well as every cocktail I could possible think of - with pictures. Tells you what glass, garnish & how to serve it i.e with straw, etc. I liked it so much, I couldn't wait ordering it from Amazon, i bought it for £25 straight away! Well worth it! I think the size of it & the fact that its hardback, makes it an added bonus! All the other books I looked at were tinyin comparison!
A friend of mine has just turned 21 & my best friend has just moved into her first home, so I bought this book for them with a bottle of booze & a cocktail shaker, & both of them LOVED it & I've been invited round to many parties! :-) They're both copying me, & buying this book for other friends!
Diffords Guide makes an excellent addition to anyones library who likes food & drink! Even if you never want to make cocktails, it's just a really nice book open up & look at! A great buy for yourself or as a gift!
5*
Just the best - By: Tom Brien, 09 Jan 2008 Simply the best cocktail guide out there, the Difford's Guide are excellent, well presented, clear, & uses UK measures. Just a great all round book, I now have to copies of #7
