The 12 Bottle Bar: A Dozen Bottles. Hundreds of Cocktails.

  • Too Hot Tamales margarita (page 7)

    from The 12-Bottle Bar: A Dozen Bottles. Hundreds of Cocktails The 12-Bottle Bar by David Solmonson and Lesley Jacobs Solmonson

    • Categories: Cocktails / drinks (with alcohol); Cooking for 1 or 2
    • Ingredients: margarita salt; limes; añejo tequila; orange liqueur
    show

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Notes about this book

  • Hannaha100 on January 04, 2021

    French 75 (gin) and French 125 (brandy): tried these at New Year and enjoyed both but the 75 was a revelation - really refreshing, I don't normally gravitate to gin-based cocktails (made with Plymouth Gin and prosecco). I would definitely make this again. As warned in the notes, these do go straight to your head!

  • Hannaha100 on December 26, 2020

    Fedora: yes! We both enjoyed this, one to repeat! Very festive. We'll have to try more brandy based cocktails.

  • Hannaha100 on December 26, 2020

    Box Car: this is like a Sidecar but with gin and grenadine. I like sour tastes but this was a little tart, even for me. If I tried again I might use the sugared rim mentioned in the notes. DH thought the citrus taste was quite festive.

  • Hannaha100 on December 20, 2020

    Midnight punch: we liked this but didn't enjoy it as much as the Blinker - DH felt this tasted stronger. This would make a fairly lethal punch for a party. I think I like rum more than DH generally but I agree it wasn't my favourite. Divided by 5 to make 2 generous glasses. Bright red colour again from grenadine.

  • Hannaha100 on December 19, 2020

    Blinker: made on impulse to use up a grapefruit. Both DH and I agreed this was a very nice cocktail - well balanced and v. drinkable. 1 grapefruit half made enough juice for 2 cocktails. Made with Bulleit bourbon rather than rye because that's what we had. Produces a bright red cocktail which looks quite festive!

  • Hannaha100 on May 09, 2020

    Bumbo: enjoyed this very much but next time make sure more strawberries available for kids! (don't skip garnish).

  • Hannaha100 on April 29, 2020

    Vampire: this was far too strong for me but DH liked it. I added some extra lime juice and bitter lemon.

Notes about Recipes in this book

  • Rum milk punch

    • hbakke on September 20, 2023

      Nice cocktail that reminded me of Christmas and eggnog because of the nutmeg sprinkle.

  • Embassy

    • Happykikkers on October 24, 2024

      Boozy but not bad. I should have shaken it a little bit longer. I’m not sure if I’ll make it again soon though.

  • Tea's knees

    • Happykikkers on January 09, 2025

      Requires some preparation, but it’s worth it! Floating the infused gin makes sure it doesn’t immediately gets muddled with the other flavours and keeps the smokey touch of the Lapsang Souchong tea. Makes a unique variation of the Bee’s Knees.

  • Small-dinger

    • rose_cuvee on July 27, 2025

      Made this with Plymouth Gin, Cayman Spirits Governor’s Reserve White Rum, store-bought grenadine. Balanced drink, bit boring. Might taste better with homemade grenadine. An even more floral gin likely would improve it.

  • Cuban old fashioned

    • Happykikkers on October 29, 2024

      Used Bacardi. A nice way to drink rum if you don’t like it up bc this takes the edge off. We still prefer an old fashioned with whiskey tho.

  • Kamikaze

    • hbakke on May 29, 2022

      Nicely sour from the lime juice. I might try the lemon juice variation next time for a less bitter citrus flavor.

  • Ginger syrup

    • Happykikkers on January 08, 2025

      To add to Tea’s knees. Recipe says it’s only good for 3 days, but I read somewhere (maybe this book?) to add a tbsp of vodka so it lasts longer. So I’m trying that out. Recipe also says it yields 250ml, but I got 300ml. Used a cheese cloth for extracting the ginger juice.

  • Lapsang Souchong-infused gin

    • Happykikkers on January 08, 2025

      Gives the gin a very smokey flavour. Makes me think of Islay whisky. Excited to use it in a cocktail. Made this for Tea’s knees.

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  • ISBN 10 0761181385
  • ISBN 13 9780761181385
  • Published Jul 29 2014
  • Format eBook
  • Page Count 250
  • Language English
  • Countries United States
  • Publisher Workman Publishing
  • Imprint Workman Publishing

Publishers Text

It’s a system, a tool kit, a recipe book. Beginning with one irresistible idea--a complete home bar of just 12 key bottles--here’s how to make more than 200 classic and unique mixed drinks, including sours, slings, toddies, and highballs, plus the perfect Martini, the perfect Manhattan, and the perfect Mint Julep.

It’s a surprising guide--tequila didn’t make the cut, and neither did bourbon, but genever did. And it’s a literate guide--describing with great liveliness everything from the importance of vermouth and bitters (the “salt and pepper” of mixology) to the story of a punch bowl so big it was stirred by a boy in a rowboat.