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. | The 12 Bottle Bar by David Solmonson, Paperback | Indigo Chapters