As we head into the warmer months, what better way to pass the time than with a good book? Here’s our pick of the top tomes for spring, including a guide to Scottish gins and a manual on vermouth.

We present our top spirits books for spring 2019

Cocktails may dominate this season’s pick of spirits books, but you can expect much more than just endless recipes, ingredient lists and instructions.

Each read covers all manner of topics – how to forage for ingredients, a guide to Irish whiskey, and a look at Scotland’s growing gin movement – so prepare to be thoroughly educated (and hopefully entertained).

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.

From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover’s Guide to Ireland by Sean Muldoon, Jack McGarry and Tim Herlihy

The third book from acclaimed bar owners Jack McGarry and Sean Muldoon takes a look at one of the world’s fastest-growing spirits ­­– Irish whiskey.

The bar experts, owners of the revered Dead Rabbit bar in New York, joined forces with Irish whiskey guru Tim Herhily to create this comprehensive guide to Irish whiskey.

The book begins with an in-depth introduction to whiskey and its history in Ireland, and features a detailed examination of 50 different Irish whiskeys and the distilleries that make them. Fifteen original mixed drink recipes are also included along with 30 of the country’s iconic bars and pubs

From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover’s Guide to Ireland is available to buy on Amazon in the UK for £17.59 from 3 May 2019. It will be available to buy from Amazon in the US for US$24.20 from 16 April.

The Bompas & Parr Cocktail Book by Sam Bompas and Harry Parr

The creative duo behind experimental gastronomy group Bompas & Parr have demystified cocktails in this easy-to-use book for the at-home bartender. Sam Bompas and Harry Parr venture across a range of cocktails including Sours, Martinis, Old Fashioneds, Punches and Highballs to offer new interpretations and crazy concoctions.

More than 50 recipes are split into chapters on gin, whisk(e)y, rum, vodka, Tequila, brandy, Champagne cocktails and Punches, with additional chapters covering the basics, techniques, and glassware.

The Bompas & Parr Cocktail Book will be released on 4 September 2019 and is available to pre-order on Amazon UK for £9.99. It will launch in the US on 1 October on Amazon for US$16.95.

The Gin Clan: Scottish Gins and Distillers by Fiona Laing

The gin movement in Scotland has grown phenomenally with a number of distillers launching their own expressions in recent years. Food and drink writer Fiona Laing takes a look at the burgeoning category and its future, taking in the stories of its distilleries and their signature gins.

From a gin distilled beneath Edinburgh’s pavements to the gardener who found his flowers make gin that changes colour, Leith’s book is a must-have for any gin fan looking to brush up their knowledge on Scotland’s distillers.

The Gin Clan: Scottish Gins and Distillers is available to buy on Amazon UK for £11.99 (US$15.65).

Let’s Get Tropical: Over 60 Cocktail Recipes from Caribbean Classics to Modern Tiki Drinks by Georgi Radev

Tiki expert Georgi Radev has released his first book on all things tropical, bringing a taste of the tropics to at-home entertaining.

Perfect for summer cocktail parties, Radev’s tome features 60 fruity serves from Tiki Mai Tais to Cuban Mojitos.

Discover the origins of these classic cocktail recipes and the history behind rum, Tequila and other popular exotic spirits. There’s also a booze-free section for those who fancy a drink without the alcohol.

Let’s Get Tropical: Over 60 Cocktail Recipes from Caribbean Classics to Modern Tiki Drinks is available to pre-order for £9.99 on Amazon UK. It will be released on 2 May.

In the US, the book will launch on 14 May for US$10.52 on Amazon.

A Spirited Guide to Vermouth by Jack Adair Bevan

As vermouth witnesses a revival, food and drink writer Jack Adair Bevan seeks to celebrate the versatile drink with a look at its history, botanicals and herbal flavours. A Spirited Guide to Vermouth will teach readers how to make their own vermouth, how to use it in cooking, along with a number of cocktail recipes for aperitivo hour.

From a Toasted Nut Boulevardier to a Perfect Manhattan, the book also has dedicated sections exploring classics such as the Martini and the Negroni.

A Spirited Guide to Vermouth is available to pre-order for £16.99 (US$22) on Amazon UK. It will be released on 30 May 2019.

Wild Mixology: A Guide to Foraging Natural Cocktails by Valeria Margherita Mosca

The bar world has embraced the use of foraged plants and materials in its cocktails in recent years.

This comprehensive guide gives the lowdown on how to prepare drinks using only all-natural, gathered ingredients.

Featuring 30 cocktail recipes, the book guides readers on how to source and process all-natural ingredients by hand and transform them into environmentally-responsible drinks. The tome also features a glossary of essential terms for the aspiring wild mixologist.

Wild Mixology: A Guide to Foraging Natural Cocktails is available to pre-order for £22.69 (US$29) on Amazon UK. It will be released on 28 April.

Batch Cocktails: Make-Ahead Pitcher Drinks for Every Occasion by Maggie Hoffman

For those who like to prepare cocktails hours or even weeks in advance, there’s a new guide to batch cocktail-making that will make at-home mixology all the more easier.

Drinks writer Maggie Hoffman has provided 65 recipes that don’t need to be stirred or shaken to order, but are designed to stay fresh when made ahead and served in a pitcher.

Recipes are divided by flavour profile ­­­– herbal, boozy, bitter, fruity, and tart – to make serving cocktails as easy as possible. There are even alcohol-free options to cater for those who aren’t on the sauce.

Batch Cocktails: Make-Ahead Pitcher Drinks for Every Occasion is available to buy for £14.99 on Amazon UK and for US$13.51 on Amazon in the US.