Over the course of the past two decades, Tony Abou-Ganim has earned his reputation as one of the leaders of the craft cocktail movement. Through his work with food and hospitality legends like Mario Batali, Steve Wynn, and Harry Denton, Abou-Ganim has earned his reputation as "the Modern Mixologist," someone bringing the traditional art of mixology into the 21st century for the benefit of new generations. On the heels of the success of The Modern Mixologist: Contemporary Classic Cocktails, Tony Abou-Ganim has written Vodka Distilled as a companion piece focusing entirely on this clear spirit. It is a comprehensive look at the vodka marketplace, geared toward those working in the profession as well as the giant audience of vodka drinkers. This one-of-a-kind resource establishs a new standard in defining and understanding the world's most consumed spirit. Vodka Distilled appeal to both enthusiasts and aficionados by explaining how traditional-style vodkas—those produced in Eastern Europe—differ in character from those made in the West, and how different raw materials and distillation and filtration methods contribute to these variations in character. By breaking down the characteristics of each highlighted vodka, Abou-Ganim helps readers better understand, appreciate, and enjoy this noble spirit.

Never before has this much information on vodka been collected in one place. From the #1 name in bartending,

Fortnum & Mason Food & Drink Awards Drink Book of the Year 2015. Spirited Awards Nominee for Best New Spirits Book 2015. This book uncovers the best spirits the world has to offer. These are not necessarily the best-known examples on the planet - though if they are good, they have a place here - but the best crafted and most interesting. Spirit by spirit Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley explain what you need to know to appreciate a spirit - its ingredients, its classic forms, the choices a distiller makes in creating it - and offer their picks to 'Drink Before You Expire' - the world's best examples of their type, from gin and rum to shochu and tequila. There are plenty of suggestions for how to drink too, with innovative and classic cocktails and their insider tips on getting the best out of your spirits.

"A cocktail guide for the 21st century, complete with 60 recipes for new and classic drinks. Full-color photography throughout, with tips on ingredients, barware, and technique"--Provided by publisher.

In a radio broadcast on October 1st, 1939, Winston Churchill referred to Russia as, "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." During my tenure as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Russian Far East, I found Churchill's words to be accurate, as my limited knowledge about Russia stemmed from Dostoevsky and Pushkin novels. From the summer of 1994 until late 1995, I lived and worked in the Russian Far East as a Peace Corps Volunteer managing a small business center; only a few miles from both the Chinese and North Korean borders. I experienced firsthand the thrilling and often confusing environment as the Russian people established a foothold in a more open society marked by their initial forays into capitalism. My experiences living with a Russian family, managing a business center catering to Russian entrepreneurs and running with and from the Mafia during this tumultuous period allowed me insight into the Russian soul and allowed me to examine my own. Fluctuating between enjoying local celebrity status to being a suspected American spy, I had the opportunity to socialize with Russian and American politicians, various mafia organizations and Russians from all walks of life. The book takes a humorous and insightful look at the cultural differences between America and Russia as well as providing a peek at how my Russian friends and colleagues dealt with the flux of change within every aspect of their lives. Although this book is based on real events, I have changed the names of some of my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers and the Peace Corps staff for reasons of discretion.

Home Production of Vodkas, Infusion and Liqueurs is another first of its kind book from Stanley and Adam Marianski. This is not just a collection of recipes, but a set of rules that govern the process of making vodka and other alcoholic beverages. A quote from the book: "From the start, we decided not to write another recipe book. A collection of recipes does not make a person proficient in a new skill. You have to know the How and Why of making spirits; you have to know the rules that govern the process. First of all you have to realize that alcohol is just a tool, albeit a very important one. Once you understand how to manipulate the properties of alcohol, the rest will fall into place." To get the reader started, a collection of 103 detailed recipes are included, which can be studied and used as a reference. By carefully reading this book you will discover that producing new spirits is almost like cooking, one needs to first know the basics and then let the imagination run wild. Everything falls into place and making new drinks becomes routine. After practicing the technique of creating drinks a couple of times, the spirits will consistently be of high quality, become crystal clear and look beautiful. The process can become an art form.

An encyclopedia guide to the thousand-year history and dynamic future of the distillation of whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, brandy, and more.