Here are the books I maintain in my cocktail library. I recommend all of them, but some are more important than others depending on your area of focus in cocktails. I’ve grouped my books by priority level for the beginning mixologist. I’ve read them all, so contact me if you have questions about any of them.

Essential Books for Your Home Library

• The Essential Bartender’s Guide by Robert Hess
• The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks by David Embury
• Beachbum Berry Remixed by Jeff Berry
• Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails by Ted Haigh

Books with Tons of Recipes

• The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock
• The Pocket Recipe Guide: Museum of the American Cocktail by Anistatia Miller and Robert Hess
• The PDT Cocktail Book by Jim Meehan

Books that Tell You How We Got To Where We Are Today (if you like history…)

• Imbibe! by David Wondrich
• Punch by David Wondrich
• And a Bottle of Rum by Wayne Curtis

Books that are Very Specialized (not for beginners)

• Left Coast Libations by Ted Munat
• Bitters by Brad Thomas Parsons

Books that are Good, but I Like the Other Books on this List Better