Brooklyn Spirits: Craft Distilling and Cocktails From the World's Hippest Borough

Description

In the popular tradition of farm-to-table cookbooks, Brooklyn Spirits: Craft Cocktails and Stories From the World's Hippest Borough, is the first distillery-to-glass cocktail book. Over the past two decades, Brooklyn has become the epicentre of a Slow Food-inspired food and drink revolution. Brooklyn distillers, restaurateurs, bartenders and cocktail aficionados are changing the way we drink by bringing back old techniques and recipes, and creating new ones that focus on small-batch distilling and fresh, local ingredients.

Chris Wertz has been involved in the booze business most of his life,and for the last 16 years, he has been a part of the New York restaurant industry,working as a bartender in Williamsburg and a General Manager in DUMBO. Beforecoming to New York City, Chris traveled through Europe sampling regional drinks forthe sake of science-from homemade grappa in the hills of Tokaj, Hungary; toBecherovka at the source in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic; and pastis in Provence, France. In 2005, he opened his first bar, Professor Thom's, named in homage offamed 19th-century NYC cocktail creator Professor Jerry Thomas. Bestsellingauthor Peter Thomas Fornatale has spent a good part of the last two decadesdrinking in Brooklyn. He's also been a publishing professional in that time frame atSimon and Schuster and Random House. He took cocktail classes from legendaryNew York bartender (and author) Dale DeGroff and spent a summer supporting ahorseracing habit by bartending at the acclaimed Chez Sophie in Saratoga Springs.Cocktails are literally in his blood: his grandfather, John T. Flynn, was a brandmanager at Seagram's for many decades. He is also a site coordinator at The ParkSlope CSA, putting him in close touch with the best local ingredients (and the peoplewho buy them).

"Lavishly photographed, the book chronicles the experiences of a dozen start-up whiskey and liqueur makers in the borough, including Breukelen Distilling, Van Brunt Stillhouse, Cacao Prieto, Greenhook Ginsmiths and Uncouth Vermouth." -New York Times "well-written and extravagantly illustrated" -The Wall Street Journal "Training their attention on New York City's ascendant borough, Brooklyn, Peter Thomas Fornatale and Chris Wertz have penned a love letter to the bars and spirits that populate its neighborhoods" -Wine and Spirits "[Brooklyn Spirits] published by DUMBO's own Powerhouse -- is sure to make you thirsty." -Edible Brooklyn As Seen In: Conde Nast Traveler Food & Wine Slate