Here’s a lovely new cocktail book for lovers of Paris, cocktails and all things French: “Love, Paris: The Art of French Cocktails” is by Stephanie Burt and the editors of Cider Mill Press.
The publisher gifted me an advance copy of this cocktail book to preview, via NetGalley.
I have only been to Paris once, in my teens. This lovely cocktail book reminds me it’s past time to go back for another visit!
The chapters evoke different Parisian moods. They include:
- Street Corner Sipping
- Easy Elegance
- Classic, Classy and Chic
- Garden Gala
- Strolling Along the Seine
- Language of Love
- Monumental Marvels
The introduction notes that the book is a love letter to the City of Light. We’re educated on French cocktailing rules (but encouraged to break some of them!) The book explains terms and ingredients such as cordials, liqueurs, digestifs, bitters, vermouth etcetera. There’s a section, of course, on bar tools, and info on substitutions if named liquors are not available in your area.
Measurements are given in ounces (there’s a page in the back of the book with a metric conversion chart.)
Each drink recipe makes one cocktail, and includes a beautiful color photo. Each new chapter features an impressive photo of a building or locale in Paris.
There is a French version of a Whiskey Sour, called “Jazz at Dusk.” There’s a coffee Negroni; a watermelon and coconut based “Jaunty Beret;” and an interesting take on a margarita that uses a champagne float on top, “Terrace Toast.”
I see quite a few gin-based drinks (yum!) and a surprising amount that call for tequila. I’m pondering why a specific English gin (Martin Miller’s) is called for rather than a French brand. Several liqueurs do seem to be difficult to obtain (such as Quaglia bergamot liqueur or a Varnelli Caffe Moka liquor, neither of which I’ve heard of). There are several specific unusual mezcals listed as well. I do have a nice Total Wine store in my city. However, I wouldn’t want to buy a specific liqueur to just make one cocktail or one pitcher of cocktails for a party. I don’t want my liquor cabinet filled with odd spirits I’ll never use again. Thankfully, the author encourages us to use substitutions as needed, but with a note that some of the more complex drinks really do need the listed vermouth, liqueur or bitters to make the drink properly the way professionals do.
You’ll be making hibiscus syrup, infusing bourbon with peanut oil, using tamarind water, concocting Agua de Jamaica, and coloring a drink with spirulina, should you try making some of the more adventurous cocktails in this book.
I’m writing this on a spring day and thinking that the “Perfect Poetry” drink would be refreshing during my household’s 4pm Happy Hour today. It’s made with Empress 1908 indigo gin, which I do have on hand, and fresh thyme which I can grab at the Safeway nearby. Made with fresh squeezed lemon and soda water, it sounds quite perfectly refreshing on a hot sunny spring afternoon – not to mention pretty to look at, with its lavender hue!
I’d also like to attempt making the layered, colorful cocktail “Painter’s Palette” which calls for Campari and fresh watermelon juice.
The “Eclair Affair” drink surprised me – it involves chocolate liqueur, Kahlua, whiskey AND a spicy vodka! Apparently it was created at the famed Harry’s Bar in Paris.
Other Paris and French-themed drinks include “Fashion Week,” “Hall of Mirrors,” “Can-Can Kick” paying tribute to the Moulin Rouge; “Lost in the Louvre;” a “Moody Mime” and “Sacre-Coeur at Sunset.” The “Midnight Sparkle” is a tribute to the Eiffel Tower.
I’m delighted to see a recipe for a Boulevardier here too – my favorite cocktail after the Manhattan! Of course, the cocktail book includes a “French 75” recipe.
You’ll want to stock up your kitchen with fresh fruits, herbs and edible flowers to make the lovely cocktails showcased here. Plus, you’ll want to have Champagne (the real thing, of course) on hand, as many of these drinks call for it.
The final drink in the book is a moody purplish “Gothic Grandeur” cocktail using Patron and butterfly pea flower tea.
You can tell how much creativity and research went into researching the classic cocktails, developing new cocktails, coming up with the clever names, staging and photographing the gorgeous drinks, and tying everything together into a lovely beverage book. Add this to your French cookbook shelf, or gift it to the thirsty Francophile in your life!
Shop for “Love, Paris: The Art of French Cocktails” on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble (affiliate link).
-Carrie
Cookbook Divas
