The Mixicologist (By C.F. Lawlor)

Ah. The Mixicologist or How to Mix All Kinds of Fancy Drinks: Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Different Beverages Used in the United States, Embracing Juleps, Cobblers, Cocktails, Punches, Durkees, “Trilbys,” Etc., Etc., in Endless Variety, With Some Recipes on Cooking, and Other General Information.

Where shall I begin with thee? Shall I sing praises of thine tasty and obscure alcoholic beverages, all explained simply for the uneducated layman? Or what of thine ridiculous advertisements for bacon and top-hats?

If I am not mistaken, the first bar guide was written in 1862. The Mixicologist hails from 1884 (though I have the revised edition from 1895). C.F. Lawlor was one dapper dressing gent and a dedicated professional bartender. He wrote, “This book has been prepared for the benefit of those who patronize the best bar-rooms, wine-rooms, and club-rooms, so that they may know what is really good, and when and where they can get it.” He includes recipes for hundreds of drinks (including Abstinthe and variations, and many other mixed drinks I have never heard of), and very good advice on selecting quality liquor. Period advertisements a definite plus.

Keep this one in the bar. Or give it to a bartender as a gift. Or just someone who likes drinking.

I got mine as a Christmas present, but I have not been able to turn up a single original copy. Mine is a paperback and those didn’t tend to last too long. Apparently, this book has been reprinted and will be available on June 10, 2008. So I’m reviewing a book before it’s (re)available to the public.

Lawlor, C.F. The Mixicologist. Cincinnati: Lawlor and Co.  1895