How to Make a Mix Recipe Book

"The Savoy Cocktail Book," a classic source

The accomplished host or hostess never starts out to find the recipe for an honored guest's favorite cocktail just as the party starts, No, he (or she) is always prepared and has on hand reference material for mixed drinks as well as cookbooks and guides to etiquette and protocol. In today's online world, it's easy to assemble your own mixed drink recipe book. You will be prepared, and your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Things You'll Need

• Drink recipes Graphics program and printer or calligraphy supplies "Comb" spine, spiral or other binding

Instructions

1. 

   Decide on the scope of your project. There are literally millions of recipes available for mixed drinks, many of them for gimmick concoctions that would offend most serious cocktail drinkers. Explore some older sources like the "Savoy Cocktail Book," first printed in 1930 and re-issued in 1976. It will give you classic recipes and hints on "mixology" techniques that remain universal. With the renewal of interest in the art of the cocktail, these sources from the 1930s and 1940s have much to offer in terms of overall organization of your personal book. Use them as guides for further research for new variations on old standards.

2. 

   Organize your book. Choose a framework based on basics to increasingly complex (or frivolous) variations or organize by type of liquor. Whatever you choose, always begin with the essential cocktail (or liquor) and add variations in order of increasing complexity---odds are that you will be asked to prepare the classic version of the cocktail more often than a variation. Include sections on fruits, juices, sauces and other wines and spirits (such as vermouth, Pernod and certain liqueurs) with descriptions of their qualities and how they are used in mixed drinks. This section can serve as a quick check-list in party planning. Collect recipes in a card file or directly onto files in your computer so you can keep files organized and add recipes as you go.

3. 

   Design your book. Remember that this is a personal collection, not a professional publication. Small books with half-sized pages are handier in everyday use than larger page formats. Arrange recipes so they can be easily read in short, easy-to-understand language. Use terminology that is familiar and consistent throughout your book. Add several blank pages to each section for additions of recipes for your next "edition." Decide whether you want to bind your book with a "comb" or spiral binding (a service available at most business supply stores) or whether you want to use one of the binding kits available that make a more permanent spine. The benefit to the comb or spiral binding is that the book can be laid flat on a counter or on a stand while in use.

4. 

   Produce your book. Whether you use your computer printer or a calligraphy pen, use sturdy paper (at least 24 pound) that will hold up to use and minimize show-through of printing on the reverse or other pages. Leave large margins for notes---this is a book to use, not a book to display. Add space at the end of each section so that you can add new mixes or cocktails for which guests have asked. Have it bound or bind it yourself.

5. 

   Use your book. Keep your book handy for parties and occasions and use it frequently, adding notes as you go. Print several copies and give them to friends who've admired them. Who knows---perhaps you'll have to do a second edition.

Tips & Warnings

• Personal publishing programs and readily available, as binding services have made small-scale printings possible. Check with your local newspaper for binding services if there's no "big box" office supply store handy. Use a digital camera to add pictures of ingredients and finished cocktails for gift editions of your book.

• Online and other modern sources list many variations on mixed drinks without classification. The experienced mixologist approaches recipe collection systematically, beginning with essential mixes.

Resources

• Drink recipe collection
• Frozen drink recipe
• Freeware programs for recipes