My goals this year are to expand not only my cocktail supplies but also my cocktail book library. I love learning about the history of cocktails and trying different classic cocktail recipes. And I’m sure you do too. So, in keeping with my new goals, I recently purchased The Savoy Cocktail Book.
The Savoy Cocktail Book
Originally published in 1930 by Harry Craddock, this cocktail book claims to have 750 original cocktail recipes. I’ll take their word for it because I’m not good at counting that high.
History of The Savoy
The Savoy is a hotel in London first opened in 1889. Inside The Savoy is the American Bar where Craddock worked as head bartender in 1925 and is where the drink recipes in this book come from. Since publishing The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930 there have been many new cocktail recipes added to the pages by subsequent head bartenders.
Cocktail Recipes from The Savoy Cocktail Book
Mixed drink recipes featured in the book range from various cocktails to punches, Rickeys, Daisies, Slings, Shrubs, Smashes, Fizzes, Juleps, Cobblers, Fixes and even non-alcoholic drinks. At the end there is even a section on different types of wine and Champagne.
Ratios for drinks are not exact measurements like we use for our mixed drinks. Instead you will find terms such as “1 Hooker of Bacardi Rum” or “1 glass of Canadian Club Whisky.”
My favorite part of the book, aside from the booze filled drink recipes, are the little notes you will find under certain drinks such as the “Bunny Hug Cocktail” which has a note reading “This cocktail should immediately be poured down the sink before it’s too late.”
Overall thoughts on the Book
It will take me a lifetime to try all the recipes in The Savoy Cocktail Book but I’m determined to at least get through half of them. Plus it makes for entertaining reading during quiet time. I suggest you pick up your own copy of the book and help me with the taste testing.
