Title: Chicago Cocktails: An Elegant Collection of Over 100 Recipes Inspired by the Windy City (Craft Cocktails From Chicago's Best Bartenders)
Author: Nicole Schnitzler
Genres: Cooking, Food & Wine | Nonfiction (Adult) | Travel
Pub Date: 25 Feb 2025
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9781400340637
Format Read: EPUB (LCP Protected)
Accessed Via: Net Galley Shelf app (Android)
Hashtags: #ChicacoCocktails #NetGalley
Rating: ⭐️⭐️ (2 stars)

The short version:

Two stars for the couple of inspiring drinks I've named below that I'll probably actually make, but this book would probably only really appeal to hardcore mixologists looking for ideas or inspiration.

The full review:

The author opens with an introduction to Chicago and its impressive boozy history; a brief section on very practical and straightforward mixology tools ie a cocktail shaker, strainer, etc; recipes for simple syrup & brine; and a very straightforward introduction to glassware ie coupe, rocks glass, Collins, etc.

So far, so good: I'm interested, not overwhelmed, and I feel that my kitchen kit may just about allow me to proceed.

Recipes are provided only in US standard (ie 1 1/2 oz. of this, 1/2 oz. of that) with no metric equivalent alongside. By all means go with what's used domestically, of course, but why would any publisher intending to release a book internationally balk at just providing metric measurements after / alongside? There's plenty of white / dead space - these are not long, complex recipes - and I can't fathom the additional cost of ink to be that much of a factor (though I'd be horrified/fascinated if that's the case - anyone in publishing willing to confirm?) so much as this just being a sort of dogged exceptionalism. Yes, there's a conversion chart at the very back but, and I say this with utmost emphasis, just no.

Thankfully, I have a jigger with US measurements and so I feel empowered to crack on with making something tasty.

The very first cocktail recipe: "You'll need a smoking box for this elegant concoction."

Really? Truly? This is how we set the pace?

This feels like a really off-putting start - surely an editor could have shuffled a recipe needing niche & expensive equipment (or at the very least - before someone bites my head off - an unwelcome investigatory delve into 'diy home smoker from stuff I have at home') towards the end of the offerings?

Right then, on to the next recipe! I'm sure we can make this one at least.

Nope - unfortunately, this requires a specific Chicago-made liqueur (Cohasset Punch). As far as I can see, there isn't a UK stockist. The third recipe requires Cohasset Punch as well - I guess you'll at least have two recipes to use it in, if you can get a bottle (though a highball is hardly a complex second offering). We'll give this a pass as it's certainly Very Chicago, but if we're releasing this book outside the US, starting off with something you can only get *in* the US feels like we're just heading deeper into coffee table book territory.

Onwards then!

The next offering is 'Lavender Haze', which (in the beautiful photo) is a sultry, hazy violet colour and right up my alley.

This too requires a specific product (a specific botanical gin) but thankfully it can actually be purchased abroad. The recipe for lavender-infused Dolin dry vermouth suggests you go full hog and infuse an entire bottle of the stuff, but the ratio (3 Tbsp lavender to 750ml vermouth) is super easy to down-scale as needed. That being said, I'm intrigued by the idea of this combination, and I could see it lending itself really well to other vermouth-based drinks.

The next drink is less inviting - a milk punch with 13 ingredients, two of them which you make (pandan syrup & bay leaf-infused milk) and at least two which are niche (Cardinal Spirits Songbird Flora & Douglas fir liqueur). The Cardinal Spirits is not available in the UK.

It goes a bit like this, with recipes that are all over the place. Many don't feel like things you'd immediately associate with Chicago but make sense due to its vibrant multiculturalism; there are a ton of Mexican-influenced drinks, and a smaller collection of loosely 'Asian' inspired drinks (vibes of handwaving at any individual country and instead going for an aesthetic abound), with some 'Tiki' type drinks which skirt the line between 'nostalgia' and 'yikes'.

There are (very) few simple drinks but the vast majority are incredibly 'cheffy': wagyu-fat washed gin, anyone? or matsutake mushroom-infused gin instead? shallot & peppercorn mignonette tincture? Georgia peach nectar rooibos tea as an ingredient with zero accompanying recipe / brand / ratio clarification? Iberico ham and / or rice paper peacock feather garnish? sport pepper-infused Cocchi Americano? a dash of soy lecithin or malic acid that you surely have lying around?

Chareau (an aloe liqueur) comes up surprisingly often; I'm guessing it's a bit of a trend at the moment, as I don't really get the connection to Chicago otherwise.

There are a few welcome exceptions: 'The Pink Line' is a tall drink inviting you to make your own watermelon shrub, which sounds delightful; 'The Disco Flip' with its cooling combo of mezcal, melon liqueur, and cucumber simple syrup sounds perfect for summer; a delightfully unfussy non-frozen strawberry daiquiri; a 'Bali-inspired' Old Fashioned (which sounds lovely, even if the vast majority of Indonesians wouldn't be able to enjoy it).

Almost every recipe has a photo, so the fact that a handful (I'd guess around 10?) don't feels weird. Most of the photos are quite inviting, though some - like one of a drink described as a delightfully blue colour, but taken at an angle and with contrast that just makes it look black; and another that could have used the same treatment to look less like dish water - are of questionable quality.

Out of the entire collection of 'Over 100 Recipes', I can see myself wanting to make perhaps 3 or 4 of them, max; and out of those, with my well-stocked bar and kitchen, I can't make a single one without placing on order or nipping out to a shop.

This is therefore very much a 'mixologists showing off' sort of book, which I'll file into the same off-putting category as chefs writing books for chefs. It's basically a series of advertisements: come to X location to drink X beverage made by X person, because you're never going to drop the amount of money the niche ingredients require in order to try to recreate the vast majority of these.

This is a shame, and a missed opportunity.

Thank you to Cider Mill Pess, NetGalley & the author for providing access to this eARC for consideration of review.
All opinions are my own honest & unbiased feedback based on the copy provided.
The format available for this review was a time-limited LCP Protected EPUB, which meant that I could only read this within the NetGalley Shelf app and couldn't use my preferred (accessible) reading apps - I note this to encourage publishers to consider using protected PDFs and similar so as to allow disabled reviewers to use accessibility tools and/or reading apps with more flexible accessibility features (I personally like PocketBook, though it's not perfect), and to encourage NetGalley to consider investing in accessibility features for its own app. The above of course has no bearing on my review, but does limit its thoroughness.

4 stars! Gave me and my husband some fun drinks to try out and a few new favorites. For a lover of mixology, this book is a great addition to your bar's library.

Fine collection but the book could have used some more styling/editing to add to the regional charm, maybe some more history or local lore to go with

I read this because I like any topic relating to Chicago. I also enjoy cocktails, Mix the two togther? Chicago cocktails? Yes, please.

Some of these cocktails were interesting. However, for the average person this was too advanced. Also many of the ingredients are hard to find.

I feel any bartender or moxologist would enjoy this more.

Just ok for me. The pictures are great but there is no way I could recreate these drinks on my own.

Thanks to Netgalley, Nicole Schnitzler and Cider Mill Press for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 2/25/25

Chicago Cocktails was an interesting mix of informational history, interviews with bartenders, and cocktail recipes!

I was interested in picking this book up since a family member has recently opened a Liquor Store/Cocktail Class in the suburbs outside Chicago! I was hoping this would be a great book for her to read as inspiration or to stock in her store and I will definitely be purchasing a copy for her to read and look through herself. I think the history about Prohibition was fascinating and I learned a lot about that point in time as well as the way that Chicago bounced back from this.

Although a lot of the cocktails were interesting, I don't think I expected the kinds that were featured. I liked the short description/history provided for each but most of the cocktails contained interesting/complex one-off ingredients that didn't seem very feasible for making at home or stocking a home bar. I think a lot of the one-off ingredients make more sense in a restaurant/bar setting where a bartender can run through a full bottle of a certain liquor flavored with an extra ingredient compared to a home bar where that is less likely.

Ultimately I really did enjoy this and I liked adding a number of the bars & restaurants to a list to check out next time I'm in Chicago and can check out some of these places!

I think the title of the book is quite accurate and tells you everything that you need to know: “Chicago Cocktails: An Elegant Collection of Over 100 Recipes Inspired by the Windy City” by Nicole Schnitzler is exactly what is says.

This is a wonderful guide to the evolving craft cocktail scene in Chicago. Ms. Schnitzler divides the list up by neighborhood, from Wicker Park to Logan Square and beyond, focusing on several bars in each area along with interviews with some of the bartenders coming up with these fantastic drinks. And they truly are fantastic – looking at the gorgeous pictures, reading through the detailed recipes and extensive ingredient lists, mastering the different techniques, all of this makes one realize that this is a collection for people who take their cocktails quite seriously.

And that leads to the one biggest flaw of the guide – the unique and specialized ingredients that a lot of these drinks require means that the average home mixologist will probably not be able to make most of these drinks. There are a lot of very specific liquors called for throughout the book, bottles that will probably not be used frequently or for other cocktails. Many of these recipes call for infusing whole bottles of spirits with botanicals or peppers or other ingredients, then using two ounces or so for the actual drink. The “dash of bitters” is usually a specialized bitters, there are probably 10-20 different bitters called for in the guide. The different flavored simple syrups are probably the easiest to scale down, but you’re still making much more than you will probably use.

But none of this should take away from the beauty, the range, the depth of this guide. Keep it on your coffee table and enjoy the pictures. Use it for the next time you are visiting Chicago. Enjoy the cocktails that are relatively simple to make (I have 17 bookmarked!). And maybe go out and splurge on something exotic for your next party. Either way, this is one cocktail book that belongs on your shelf.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Cider Mill Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

Perfect for the cocktail connoisseur, but not necessarily for everybody. Lots of info on the origins of the cocktails, but some of the ingredients are not so easy to get hold of. A fun gift for mixologists.

This is a solid collection of innovative cocktails from some of the best bars in Chicago, including spots like Three Dots and a Dash and The Violet Hour. Arranged by neighborhood, the drinks range from doable mixed drinks for the home mixologist to daunting affairs that would take a decent amount of commitment, time, and money to achieve. Interspersed with the recipes are photos of Chicago spots and interviews with Chicago bartenders. I'm bookmarking several of these recipes to try later!

Even though we’ve all heard the saying don’t judge a book by its cover, I have to say, the cover of Chicago Cocktails is so beautiful that it makes you want to read it. It’s classy and stylish, making it a perfect addition to any coffee table or bar cart. But the contents? Even better!

I’m not someone with much experience making cocktails—I've always been more of a "pour it and hope for the best" kind of person—but this book has definitely sparked my interest in learning more. Cocktails are such a fun way to host people, whether it's for dinner parties, get-togethers with friends, or even casual events. Chicago Cocktails is a great guide to impressing your guests. It’s packed with over 100 cocktail recipes, each inspired by the city of Chicago and crafted by some of the best bartenders in the area. Even if you have never been to Chicago, you can still bring a bit of the city’s vibe into your own home! It's a perfect gift for those moving to Chicago, visiting the city or those from the city itself.

One of the coolest things about the book is how it’s organized. The recipes are divided by neighborhood, so you really get a sense of Chicago’s local culture and unique bar scene. Plus, there are interviews with bartenders, which make you feel like you're getting a behind-the-scenes peek at the people who make these drinks come to life. It’s more than just a recipe book; it’s an experience, a true homage to the city. The photographs throughout are gorgeous too, showing off the city’s stunning architecture and vibrant atmosphere.

As for the cocktails themselves, I had so much fun trying them out. My favorite was the Andrés & Cooper. As a fan of Spanish chef José Andrés, I loved how this cocktail blended the flavors of Spain with the spirit of Chicago. It was so well-crafted and flavorful!

This book would make a fantastic gift—whether for someone who’s already a cocktail pro or a newbie like me who’s just starting to explore the world of drinks. It's beautifully put together, easy to follow, and makes cocktail making feel exciting and accessible. I’ll definitely be recommending this book to my friends. If you want to impress your guests with something new and special, Chicago Cocktails is the way to go!

When traveling, my husband and I love both historic walking tours and getting craft cocktails. This book felt like a written version of that experience. I loved the structure of the book. We learned a lot, both about Chicago and improving our cocktail making skills. I will find myself going back to these cocktail recipes as I really enjoyed them.

This is such a wonderful collection of cocktails inspired by Chicago and made by the best bartenders of Chicago. You feel the spirit and buzz of the city through these cocktails and if you're someone like me that loves cocktails then this book will be such a joy to read!

I can't wait to try some of the recipes from this book!

This is a love letter to Chicago.

Thank you to NetGalley, Cider Mill Press and Nicole Schnitzler for giving me an ARC of this cool book!

My husband is from Chicago and we enjoy cocktails so I was excited to review this book. I thought this had some interesting history into the Chicago cocktail scene and history to start the book. I enjoyed seeing the cocktails that the bartenders created featured in the book but I have to admit that I will never buy this book for use in my house. In general, I found many of the cocktails to use too many obscure ingredients that are just not common enough for my extensive home bar. Even for the best sounding cocktails, I would likely have been stuck with an ingredient that I don't know how to use up in my future cocktail adventures. Overall, this may be a great book for a bartender or someone very interested in Chicago history around cocktails and distilling, but I personally would not recommend for the lay person as a resource for cocktails at home.

I liked these chicago cocktail recipes!!! I think they were so unique and they all tasted so good! I think the photos were so nice and pretty, and the recipes were great and easy to follow. I liked it a lot!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

'Chicago Cocktails' has been a great companion for the Christmas period. My family and I will be using this as our menu for future drink parties, events, and holidays. I liked the formatting of the book, the cocktail recipes were well organised and easy to find, and easy to follow. I liked how the cocktails were organised by location, I think this made it very unique! The interviews with bartenders and the pictures throughout, it made it feel really well researched and well prepared. This made it more of an experience, not just another recipe book.

The list of tools and sub solutions were useful and definitely something I have needed.

My favourite was the Lavender Haze, for sure! I have lavender in my garden so this definitely felt like something for me. The ingredients for this recipe were easy to source and the cocktail was amazing.

I highly recommend this book!!

*Chicago Cocktails* has quickly become our go-to book for date night drinks! My husband and I recently decided to try a classic Chicago Old Fashioned from this gorgeous collection, and it was an instant favorite. The smooth, bold flavors had us both feeling like we were enjoying a drink in a swanky Chicago bar, even though we were on our couch in Florida.

The book is broken down by neighborhood, so it’s like taking a cocktail tour of the city from the comfort of your home. With over 100 recipes, there’s a little something for everyone—whether you're in the mood for a fruity julep or an elegant martini. The interviews with bartenders give you an inside look at Chicago’s cocktail scene, and the expert tips really help elevate our at-home bartending game. It's like having a bartender in your kitchen!

If you're a fan of cocktails and love exploring new drink recipes, this is a fun way to bring Chicago’s iconic bar scene straight to your glass. Plus, it’s perfect for mixing things up during date night!