THE BAR-TENDER’S GUIDE OR HOW TO MIX ALL KINDS OF PLAIN AND FANCY DRINKS
New York: Dick & Fitzgerald, 1887. Hardcover. Third edition, with a Wilport Press cancel on the title page. Laid in is a one sheet (4 ½” x 7”) with instructions for measurements used in the book; for example, one wine glass is equivalent to four ounces or half a water tumbler. 12mo: 130 p. with textual illustrations. Original brown cloth binding, with black stamping. A remarkably fresh copy. Near fine.
Considered the father of American mixology, "Professor" Jerry Thomas (1830-85) published the first edition of this guide in 1862. It was the first cocktail book published in the United States and contained the first written accounts of many cocktails such as the Fizz, Brandy Daisy, and the Sour. Thomas updated the guide several times, and in this edition, which was published two years after his death, he introduced the Martinez, which is understood to be the precursor to the martini. It calls for one pony of Old Tom gin, a glass of vermouth, two dashes of Maraschino, and a dash of Boker's bitters with ice, garnished with a slice of lemon. Near fine. Item #75298
Price: $2,500.00