Let me say publicly that I’m blessed to have some amazing people in my life who love me and take care of me. I love and appreciate those people more than I can say. I tell you that because having drinks with one of those people whom I adore so much led me to Jack’s Lounge earlier this week. You already know how I love me some Jack’s Lounge and love me some Joy Perrine cocktails. Having said drinks at Jack’s Lounge with someone I love? Triple win.

Anyway, my friend was running a couple minutes late the other night so Joy took the opportunity to show me a working copy of the book she has co-authored with Susan Reigler titled “The Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail Book.” Oh, my friends it is such a great book. It’s filled with interesting and useful information and enough bourbon cocktail recipes to keep both the most timid and the most adventurous home bartender occupied for a good while. I’m not bragging when I tell you that I can mix it a drink, that’s just the truth, but this book totally shows me how much I need to step up my game. 

The book won’t be out until October though and while I’m bummed that I won’t get a hard copy in my hands for a while that release date does make it perfect for your holiday shopping. I’m envisioning buying a case of books for October, November and December gift distribution. Do you think they’ll give me a discount? Hopefully we can get at least a copy or two to give away to Consuming Louisville readers.

Interest in bourbon, America’s native spirit and a beverage almost exclusively distilled in Kentucky, has never been greater. Thanks in part to the general popularity of cocktails and the marketing efforts of the bourbon industry, there are more brands of bourbon and more bourbon drinkers than ever before.

In The Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail Book, Joy Perrine and Susan Reigler provide a reader-friendly handbook featuring more than 100 recipes including seasonal drinks, after-dinner bourbon cocktails, Derby cocktails, and even medicinal toddies. The book’s introduction explains how the use of specific spirits and ingredients, glassware, and special techniques, such as muddling and infusions, accentuates the unique flavor of bourbon. Much of the book is devoted to recipes and instructions for the professional or at-home bartender, from classic drinks such as the Manhattan and the Mint Julep to drinks for special occasions, including the Candy Cane, Pumpkin Eggnog, and Kentucky Bourbon Sparkler. The authors complete the work with suggested appetizer pairings, a glossary of terms, and a bibliography of bourbon-related books.