An exploration of all things agave, a history of drunkenness, and a manual on the modern bar industry – this is our pick of the top spirits books for winter.

Here is our pick of the top spirits books for winter

Bookworms with a penchant for spirits have long been able to combine their two favourite pastimes, but this season they are in for a treat, with everything from elegant coffee table tomes to entertaining cocktail compendiums.

This season, imbibers can indulge in new books looking at non-alcoholic alternatives, a comprehensive guide to malt whisky and a hardback dedicated to the best ‘mezcalerias’ around the world.

Click through the following pages to discover our selection of the top new spirits books to hit the shelves this season.

Have you read a new book that deserves a spot in our line-up? Let us know in the comments section below.

Looking for more? Here’s our autumn 2017 new book selection for other recent spirits publications.

The Cocktail Guy by Rich Woods

Meet Rich Woods, aka The Cocktail Guy, as he guides you through flavour-focused cocktails in his debut book. The head of spirit and cocktail development at London’s Duck & Waffle takes drinkers through 70 iconic drinks, as well as new creations, suited to the home enthusiast and professional bartender.

The book is split into three chapters – the first is inspired by gardens and the outdoors, the second is based on the kitchen, and the third, which is “more geared towards the professional”, focuses on “classics but with a new approach”.

The Cocktail Guy is available now on Amazon.

Night-Time Walks by Alfred Cointreau

Alfred Cointreau, sixth generation member of the Cointreau family, has compiled his adventures in a book, full of fleeting memories and remembered tastes. Readers can join Cointreau, heritage manager for his family’s namesake liqueur, on his journey as he meets bartenders and cocktail lovers.

From partying in the craziest cocktail bars to visiting centuries-old distilleries, this book is a selection of Alfred’s most memorable experiences and some of his favourite spots around the globe.

Night-Time Walks is available now from Harvey Nichols.

Tequila Beyond Sunrise by Jesse Estes

Learn about the proud heritage of agave-based spirits from Ocho Tequila ambassador Jesse Estes. Featuring 50 sophisticated mezcal and Tequila cocktails, start with a Margarita, and then try something longer such as a Hibiscus Highball or Mezcal Mule.

The award-winning bartender has worked in London establishments such as The Lonsdale, Callooh Callay and The Luggage Room. In 2013, he developed the bar programme for London’s first ‘agavería’ – a bar specialising in agave spirits – El Nivel.

Tequila Beyond Sunrise is available on Amazon on 13 February 2018. 

A Short History of Drunkenness by Mark Forsyth

A Short History of Drunkenness traces humankind’s love affair with booze, from primate ancestors through to Prohibition, answering every possible question along the way: What did people drink? How much? Who did the drinking? Of the many possible reasons, why?

From Neolithic shamans to rat-arsed Romans, Mark Forsyth’s book is an entertaining and comprehensive history of intoxication.

A Short History of Drunkenness is available now on Amazon.

The Mezcal Experience by Tom Bullock

Dubbed the ‘definitive guide to Mexico’s best kept spirit’, Tequila’s sister spirit mezcal is brought to the forefront in Tom Bullock’s epic tome about the agave-based spirit.

Embark on a regional tour of Mexico and discover local mezcal gems in this guide to the best ‘mezcalerias’ (mezcal bars) in the world, then work your way through more than 30 cocktail recipes from world-leading mezcal bartenders.

The Mezcal Experience is available now on Amazon. 

Meehan’s Bartender Manual by Jim Meehan

Penned by acclaimed bartender and Please Don’t Tell founder Jim Meehan, Meehan’s Bartender Manual explores the ins and outs of the modern bar industry.

The book chronicles Meehan’s career in the bar business, as well as the history of cocktails and bartending, service, hospitality, menu development, bar design, spirits production, and drink-mixing technique. The book also includes recipes for 100 cocktail classics, organised by spirit base.

Meehan’s Bartender Manual is available now on Amazon. 

Dry: Non-alcoholic Cocktails, Cordials and Clever Concoctions by Clare Liardet

While Dry January is almost over, the trend for non-alcoholic cocktails shows no sign of slowing down. For those who prefer a booze-less tipple, there’s Clare Liardet’s Dry, a book full of adventurous recipes, combining mixers and rich fragrant syrups into sumptuous serves.
Whether you’re planning a Friday night in with friends, a lazy Sunday brunch or an evening huddled around a crackling fire you can find your dry drinks here.

Dry: Non-alcoholic Cocktails, Cordials and Clever Concoctions is available now on Amazon. 

Malt Whisky Yearbook 2018 by Ingvar Ronde

Whisky lovers rejoice as the 13^th edition of Malt Whisky Yearbook is released, packed with new and up-to-date information on more than 400 whisky distilleries from all over the world.

The book also contains new features written by distinguished whisky experts along with details of hundreds of whisky shops, whisky sites and new bottlings. Malt Whisky Yearbook 2018 also includes more than 250 tasting notes describing the flavour of single malts from all working distilleries in Scotland and Japan.

Malt Whisky Yearbook 2018 is available now on Amazon.