Dusty Booze
The new “Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits” dives into the world of vintage spirits collectors.
Imagine an Indiana Jones tale — if the golden idol was a bottle of postProhibition bourbon and the role of gigantic, skullcrushing boulder was played by rampaging hipsters on a Pappy Van Winkle hunt. Brooklyn journalist Aaron Goldfarb dives into the world of a very specific type of treasure seeker in his new “Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits” (Abrams Books, $27).
The book offers a rollicking read as it chases wellheeled obsessives searching out decades-old — and very dusty — bottles of whiskey, rum and other spirits from estate sales and old, almost-forgotten liquor stores. A whiskey-filled chess set figures prominently. So do Elvis decanters. And mojitos made with 1940s rum. “Dusty Booze” is a book for history lovers, global market trend watchers and, of course, Pappy devotees. “Sparkling: Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails for Any Occasion - A Cocktail Book” by Elva Ramirez.
Sparkling
The very opposite of dusty, sparkling wine is a crowd pleaser in any situation, whether you're toasting, celebrating or brunching. Penned by Brooklyn-based Elva Ramirez, “Sparkling: Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails for Any Occasion” (Union Square, $20) lands on May 7, just in time for Mother's Day brunch.
Ramirez calls sparkling wine “the liquid symbol of celebration,” but notes that those bubbles can also take a starring role in cocktails like — step aside, Aperol Spritz — the Sbagliato, a Negroni that subs Champagne for the usual gin. You'll find recipes for that as well as the Group Text, Glamazonian Airways, the Vice Versa and 70 other sips — plus suitable syrups, glamorous garnishes and tasty bites.