Good Spirits

The must-have companion for cocktail classics and creative drinks from a celebrated industry icon
 
Hone your mixology skills while learning more about your favorite drink’s origins from award-winning bartender Tiffanie Barriere, known globally as “the drinking coach.” From gold-standard martinis and mint juleps to new classics inspired by inventors and trailblazers, this culture-rich exploration of cocktails seamlessly blends hands-on technique with deep historical knowledge. For Barriere every ingredient has a story, and every story can become a drink.

Equal parts inspiration and education, in addition to 125 cocktails explained in transportive detail, Barriere honors the Black roots of many of our Friday night favorites, spirits, and bar tools, from the Cosmo to the Chocolate Martini, and Rhum Agricole to the hinged lemon squeezer. Many drinks have zero-proof variations, using Barriere’s ingenious concept of cocktail “stock” to build flavor layer-by-layer: build a drink’s flavor first and then decide if it wants alcohol—this approach makes it easy to take many of the drinks go zero-proof or boozy.

Insights on tools that matter, tips for garnishing, ice types and their uses, and the difference between shaking, rolling, and aerating set you up to receive a masters in mixology. And in addition to the cocktails, find dozens of recipes for syrups, shrubs, and infusions that bring depth and personality to the glass (and even more alcohol-free options). Barriere says that “every time you mix, shake, or stir, you’re not just making a drink — you’re creating a moment. That’s where your true spirit shows up, and that’s how you can find joy in the glass.”