The New Old Bar

Book excerpt: The New Old Bar is a collection of 200 great classic cocktail recipes that takes the fear out of entertaining and demystifies the party-throwing experience. Much more than an assortment of vintage cocktails (plus 25 terrific small dishes to enjoy while you drink them), The New Old Bar is a how-to manual on bringing mid-century cocktail culture to your home bar. Authors Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith comprise the Chicago restaurant and catering duo known as The Hearty Boys, who were the winners of the very first series of The Next Food Network Star. The Hearty Boys have catered events for President Barack Obama, and they have fed notables from Oprah Winfrey to Hillary Clinton. In this fun and beautifully photographed book, McDonagh and Smith tell readers about the proper tools needed for hosting successful cocktail parties, including vital information on bar setup, equipment needs, and proper shaking and blending techniques. The Hearty Boys have charmed the country with their breezy, insouciant take on food and entertaining, and now they bring the same warmth, humor, and easy expertise to the world of classic cocktails. Drink up!