The Cocktail Books to Gift Your Home Bartender Friend

It’s no secret that Curtis and I love to make cocktails at home! We’ve amassed a good collection of cocktail recipe books, and I want to share a handful that would be great to gift anyone on your list that makes drinks at home.

When I’m looking to gift a book on cocktails, I like to think about who I’m gifting first—is it a home cocktail enthusiast, or a skilled bartender? I tried to include books that could be for both, providing inspiration for the amateur or professional.

As our collection of cocktail books grows, I’ve learned that there really isn’t a one size fits all book.

We all have different needs, interests, and levels of interest in the hobby.

For instance, you wouldn’t buy a book on pre-prohibition era cocktails if you’re looking for the best tiki recipes. But if you are gifting to someone else, it’s fun to receive a book you normally wouldn’t buy yourself!

Cocktail Books to Gift Someone

1. Art Boozel: Cocktails Inspired by Modern and Contemporary Artists

A new book by Jennifer Croll and Kelly Shami features original recipes for drinks inspired by everyone from Salvador Dalí to Frida Kahlo to the Guerilla Girls. It’s visually appealing and easy to navigate, such a great gift!

2. NightCap: More than 40 Cocktails to Close Out Any Evening

This giftable, foil-accented book contains more than 40 cocktail recipes—some to keep the night going, some that will help ease you to sleep, some that can double as dessert, and some that can soothe the stomach after a hearty meal.

3. Meehan’s Bartender Manual

The spirit section runs through all styles of liquors and liqueurs, including how they are distilled and where they are found. The cocktail section guides readers through the origin of each classic cocktail, the logic behind it, and 100 standard recipes.

4. The Art of Mixology

The Art of Mixology offers a stunning anthology of cocktail recipes to make at home. You’ll find an informative introduction packed with all the essential knowledge any experienced or novice mixologist could ever need and over 200 recipes to suit every occasion.

5. Tiki: Modern, Tropical Cocktails

This one is an intuitive, tropical-style cocktail book for the cocktail enthusiast or home bartender. Shannon makes these cocktails very approachable, whether you’re just starting out or have more practice, and she maintains high regard and respect for Caribbean culture. Plus, it’s a super fun book that looks stunning on the shelf.

6. Amaro

This is a great book for those who want to elevate their knowledge about amaro, which has long been thought of as a complex ingredient reserved for the bartender’s use. I often have customers now come up to me and ask about different amari, and I recommend this book as a way for them to learn more.

7. Spritz: Italy’s Most Iconic Apertivo

This book cover screams, “Take me to Italy!” with a focus inside on the history of spritz cocktails and how they made their way around the world. There is, of course, plenty of recipes to learn as well.

8. Very Merry Cocktails

Make and enjoy seasonal drinks like like Hot Buttered Rum, the Holiday Bellini, ‘Tis the Season Sangria, and Foamy Mexican Hot Chocolate. With just the right amount of Christmas kitsch, this is an essential collection for cocktail enthusiasts, holiday hosts, and anyone who loves the holiday season.

9. The Joy of Mixology

The Joy of Mixology has been praised as the model classic cocktail guide for mixologists and bartenders alike who want to learn the cocktail basics while also exploring their own concoctions.

10. Easy Tiki

It’s tiki, but easier. Throughout the book by PUNCH senior editor Chloe Frechette, the world’s top tropically-minded bartenders demonstrate how to get the same quintessential character and complexity from tiki cocktails in far fewer ingredients.

11. Fizz: 80 Joyful Cocktails And Mocktails For Every Occasion

Add a little sparkle to any occasion with 80 seriously simple cocktail and mocktail recipes for any occasion, united by their unique and exciting use of fizzy mixers.

12. The Negroni: Drinking To La Dolce Vita, With Recipes & Lore

A cocktail book dedicated to the Negroni, a very recognizable drink – and there is a lot more to it than the three simple ingredients that are needed to make a basic one. The author of Joy of Mixology has written another great cocktail book that includes 60 delightfully varied and uniformly tasty Negroni recipes.

13. The Essential New York Times Book of Cocktails

The New York Times Book of Cocktails, curated by Steve Reddicliffe, the “Quiet Drink” columnist for The Times, is organized by cocktail type and features notable essays throughout. It’s truly a book of cocktails.

14. The Mixology of Astrology

The Mixology of Astrology is the perfect gift for your astrology-loving best friend who’s clueless about how to make herself a martini. Aliza Kelly Faragher matches the drink to the occasion for every sign.