Review by Booklist Review
Americans are so used to buying bottled water and soda pop at the supermarket that, beyond a few standards such as iced tea, they rarely make beverages at home. But with the current focus on sustainability and local sourcing, producing a bottle of homemade root beer or peach nectar from the refrigerator will undoubtedly wow guests. And concocting something more bracing for grownups transforms the home bartender into an accomplished, sophisticated mixologist. English offers directions for making all sorts of summery citrus quenchers, and she even has instructions for producing one's own cola base. Recipes for distilled liquors lean on vodka and brandy, and there's coconut rum for exotic summer punches. Homemade amaretto and other liqueurs make great gifts. English also instructs in techniques for fabricating unique bitters based on rhubarb or pears. After exploring English's recipes, families may find themselves needing to install a second refrigerator to store all these satisfying homemade liquid refreshers.--Knoblauch, Mark Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Starred Review. English's (Handmade Gatherings) latest is a gorgeous and thirst-inducing book. In Altman's atmospheric photographs, mugs and mason jars spill over with handcrafted drinks that run from sparkling and refreshing to warm, fragrant, and boozy. English is the author of several books celebrating the handcrafted and the homemade, and in this work she's similarly passionate about the simplicity and pleasure of creating drinks at home. As consumers become more wary of the additives and processed sugars in commercial soft drinks, these natural options are both a delicious and timely alternative. Even the most jittery soda addicts won't feel deprived by her ginger brew, root beer, or even natural cola-a pale yellow color without the artificial caramel dye. For colder weather, there's an array of coffees, teas, and chocolate drinks (among several different versions of the latter are two labeled "Decadent" and "Unapologetic"-no half measures here!). In the second, alcoholic-beverage half of the book, the homemade, hands-on approach continues, with herb and fruit infusions, such as basil vodka and orange and clove whiskey that would make great holiday gifts. For the even more adventurous home bartender, there are recipes for nut and flower-fermented wines and hard cider. VERDICT Enticing recipes threaded with the author's engaging stories make this a homespun modern classic.-Joanna Scutts, Astoria, NY (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
