The Martini Cocktail: A Meditation on the World's Greatest Drink, with Recipes

My third book from Mr. Simonson, and this might be my favorite. A brief but diverse look at the history of the drink, styles, garnishes, and popular references from music to literature. Although I differ in my appreciation of James Bond and the Martini (I prefer the written Bond and do acknowledge the dumbing down of the classic drink through the myopic lens of the Johnny-come-lately [to the Martini] motion picture Bond), I found the rest of the book to be a great and informative read. Mr. Simonson writes with a style I would label as familiar erudition—he is easy to read but also elevates his subject matter. Warning: this book will make you thirsty so ensure you have the necessary supplies on hand to mix a drink as you read.

If you want to learn about the martini's history and how it evolved, then this book is for you. That history gives great context to the included recipes. Author Simonson has researched the evolution of the drink, from its early sweet versions to the dry ones we're used to today. He makes a convincing argument about why the cocktail is called a "martini" while also touching upon other opinions about its origins. He describes components, addresses the "shaken, not stirred" controversy, and offers recipes for martinis and variations.To his credit, Simonson makes the history of the martini entertaining when it could have been, excuse the pun, dry.-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann

My second book from this author, and one I was looking forward to. I appreciate this book and expect to get a lot of use out of it. A good martini is almost impossible to find where I live, so gotta make em at home! The book has some opinions, some humor, history, and a bunch of recipes that will keep me spending some money at the old bottle shop. Thank you!

This is a magnificent book. The first 70 pages are dedicated to the history of martinis and other elements of their story, but if you want recipes, recipes you will get in droves in the pages that follow, complete with descriptions of each martini that tell its own little story. Throughout there are plenty of pictures to aid in one’s thirst.

I read about this book and being a Martini lover, I thought I would like to read it. The story is way too long and had heard much of it before. The type is much smaller than anticipated. The recipes are almost worth the price of the book. Good addition to the bar library.

Some really great history, but the recipes fall short. Yes, the Vesper is included, but it's not right. This is a perfect example of yet another bartender/author who does not understand that "parts," or "measures" does not equal ounces. Buy this book for the history, not the recipes and you will be rewarded.

Could have been longer

Cocktails are so popular right now and here’s the perfect book to really kick your martini game up a notch! Lots of recipes and great stories from Robert Simonson, the “cocktail writer” for the New York Times.This is a great little book with lots of martini lore and some 50 recipes. Interesting section on glassware too. Even if you’ve never made a martini, this book will inspire you to give it a go. The photography is gorgeous, the recipes work, the history is compelling and the martini quotes are just amazing.So where to start? I took a suggestion from David Lebovitz’s Instagram post where he says he was excited to see the Bix martini in the book. That martini hails from the San Francisco restaurant, Bix, opened in the late 1980’s. Theirs is shaken, not stirred and it’s terrific! I also enjoyed the section entitled “My Martini” where the author tells us his personal preference, so, as you can see, I tried his favorites as well. A fun book this one!Thanks for the free book, @tenspeedpress!

It is a very good book. Once you begin to read it, you don’t want to stop. One of the best I have read of the kind.

Great book for any Martini fan... lots of recipes but also a lot of interesting tidbits.