Shake, Stir, Pour-Fresh Homegrown Cocktails: Make Syrups, Mixers, Infused Spirits, and Bitters with Farm-Fresh Ingredients-50 Original Recipes Spiral-bound – July 1, 2012

Awesome book. So far, I've made the orgeat and allspice (pimento) dram. Both recipes have been accurate and the results are excellent.I made a half-batch recipe of the allspice dram since the main alcohol ingredient was expensive and difficult to obtain. (151 proof Demerara rum - I used Hamilton Overproof 151 [Ministry of Rum]. The book suggests Lemon Hart which is currently unavailable in the US.) I did a half-batch to make sure I liked the recipe before I dedicated the remainder of the Hamilton's rum on a full batch. The results, after the initial 3 week maceration of the spices, were very good - spicy and well balanced. The directions say to let it mellow for another 4 weeks after straining out the solids and bottling. For the next batch I plan to increase the amount of allspice to bring that flavor forward a bit more and to decrease the amount of sugar in the syrup. I'd prefer the liqueur to be less sweet and viscous. I compared it against the last of my St. Elizabeth's allspice dram. The are different, owing to different ingredient ratios and manufacturing process, but the homemade version is perfectly acceptable (delicious, actually!) and indistinguishable when mixed in a cocktail. Making this recipe alone pays for the book versus buying a single 375ml bottle of St. Elizabeths Allspice Dram. See my review of the Small Hands Orgeat for my thoughts on the orgeat recipe.  Small Hands Orgeat Syrup 250ML

I know Katie from high school, but until Facebook, the last time we shared time together was swigging sloe gin out of the bottle at a Boston concert when I had hair. I like to think I can cook a bit and I'm a bit of a Food Network nutcase (love Iron Chef!). I'm not much of a drinker per se, but love a good cocktail every now and again. A good drink can make a great dining experience truly memorable. Unfortunately, I just stopped exploring making drinks myself at attempting the perfect vodka martini. Mostly, I leave it up to the pros.Katie's book is just fantastic for someone like me who is kind of familiar with the flavors, but not so much with how a good alcoholic drink plays into the culinary mix. I really like her approach through the creation of interesting syrups and examples of how they may be used effectively and deliciously. The infusion section is truly inspiring and, although I've had infused drinks before, I just have never given thought to making one myself. It's going to make my next get together a lot of fun.This is a very well sourced, easy to follow book with beautiful photos. I just bought my second copy on Kindle so I could have one on the go. Great job Katie!

A must for anyone that enjoys liquid libations and making them fresh and with creativity. The recipes are easy to follow and the emphasis is on using flavors from your garden or kitchen. I own other cocktail books but this is far more than just following a recipe... it explains how you can use different tastes/flavors in unexpected ways. I was always intimidated with simple syrup and I'm now on my way to making unique infusions to add to my cocktails... this book takes the fear out of making innovative but tasteful cocktails and drinks.

Great book for those who are trying to keep processed everything out of their diet, and yes drinks count too! Natural drink mixes made with ingredients that are easy to find and delicious too.

The book was used, torn, with food stuck to its pages. I will not be purchasing more books.

If you want to make your own homegrown cocktails, this book is for you. Ms. Loeb thought of everything. It is a must for all who love the best drinks with fresh ingregients. For yourself and for a gift to others. It belongs on everyone's cocktail table.

I wanted a book that gave me begining ideas for making different simple syrups....this had many! Love the book! Enjoy reading all the recipes!

Best book ever. I made the ginger concentrate and use it for everything. The cocktail cherries are worth buying the book alone. Well written and thought out and extremely useful for drinks and general cooking

Libro davvero incredibilmente utile e guida interessante da leggere!!! Lo consiglio a tutti! Per chi ha un'attivitá o meno! Ciao

Nice structure to book. High quality binding with inner spiral that makes page opening easier and pages lie flat. Recipes are enticing.

A bit hit & miss with the results but overall an informative book about homemade cocktails.