I own a cheap paperback cocktail guide that boasts over 2500 recipes. It is almost useless, insofar as it is indiscriminate in its contents. Two hundred year old recipes for spice wine requiring 30 gallon barrels are included- how useful is that?

Worse, said guide doesn't even have the recipe for the Cosmopolitan!

Happily, I now own Barry Shelby's swell guide, 100 Classic Cocktails. It has everything the budding or learned drink mixer needs- info on the types of glasses and bar equipment, a glossary or cocktail and barman's terms, and, as the title says, 100 classic recipes, each of which, in Abbeville Press tradition, is paired with beautiful photos of the final product. These photos are especially useful, insofar as they show you what the drink should look like- color, glass, garnish and all. From the Americano to the Rusty nail to the Zombie, Shelby has nailed them all, even tossing in a brief but fascinating history of the cocktail.

It's a splendid pocket book and belongs behind every bar.
-Kevin R. Kosar