Tipsy Texan

Book excerpt: “Don’t let the Tipsy Texan’s clever nickname fool you: Here’s a man who seriously understands the art and the lore of the cocktail.” —Rebecca Rather, author of The Pastry Queen From the man at the forefront of Texas mixology, get recipes for Big & Boozy drinks for when hearty, spirit-forward cocktails are the order; Light, Bright, and Refreshing cocktails that will get you through those long, hot summers; and Sweet, Creamy, and Desserty cocktails that will satisfy the sweet tooth. A section on techniques reveals tricks of the trade, with each recipe accompanied by ingredient notes for anything that’s out of the ordinary or must be house-made. Recipes include the author's own creations as well as classics with local and regional twists, such as the Old Austin, a Texas update on the Old Fashioned sweetened with toasted pecan syrup. The Peach Tom Collins is a simple variation on the classic that tastes like Hill Country in a glass. The Harvest Punch showcases local rum, seasonal spices, and fresh pressed apple cider. A bowl of Absinthe Eggnog or a Golden Sleigh, an eggnog variation on the old Golden Cadillac, bring extra cheer to the holidays. Succulent red grapefruits—the crown jewels of Texas’s indigenous cocktail ingredients from the Rio Grande valley—figure prominently here. You’ll also meet the bartenders who ushered in the Texas cocktail revival; see the places where they ply their trade; and read about the distillers who’ve put Texas on the national craft distilling map—and all the wonderful cocktails that Texas bartenders (and bar patrons!) have devised in which to use these homegrown spirits. You’ll even join a tour of the gardens and farmers’ markets that give Texans an incredible year-round assortment of fruits and vegetables, ripe for the picking—and ripe for the drinking. “Thanks to his truly delicious book, we can all mix up our own tastes of David’s Texas—from Austin loquats to Hill Country peaches, blended with the state’s finest artisan liquors. Cheers!” —Jim Hightower, New York Times-bestselling author of Swim Against the Current Includes color photos