Book Review: The 12 Bottle Bar

One of my biggest goals in starting Ginerations was to bring people to gin – to generate excitement and curiosity, and to convince people to try it all over again, or for the first time. So, I want to make gin easy – approachable, understandable, and fun. But, if you’re trying to add gin to a home bar, where do you start? Do you get one of each kind – a London Dry, an Old Tom, and a New American/New Western? And what about tonics, vermouth, liqueurs, and bitters?! And you may want other types of liquor in your home other than gin (gasp!). It all gets a bit daunting.

That’s where The 12 Bottle Bar by David Solmonson and Lesley Jacobs Somonson comes in. This book was published in 2014, but I first saw it at the 2016 Tales of the Cocktail bookstore.  My friend Amy and I picked up the book, described as a “system, took kit, and recipe book,” and thought it was a brilliant concept. A guide to creating a complete bar for the home with just 12 bottles. Including over 200 recipes to make with said bottles.  Twelve?  How can you make a complete home bar with only 12 bottles, knowing that (spoiler alert!) not all of them are the “main” spirits you’d assume.

The next day, I was sitting in a session titled “500 Years of Juniper Distillation – How Genever Changed the Way We are Drinking Today”(not nearly as nerdy as it sounds, I promise).  There was a woman sitting next to me who asked several keen questions. She was taking notes and photos, and then I saw it. She had a juniper plant tattooed on her arm! I knew I had to meet her. After the session, I introduced myself and (politely) asked her who the heck she was. I did save some dignity by not asking her if we could be BFFs. Anyway, she introduced herself as Lesley and told me she and her husband were authors. Well, lo and behold, she is one half of the 12 Bottle Bar team! Obviously, I had to get the book!

The 12 Bottle Bar is set up extremely well. It’s an easy read that can be read in chunks, or can be flipped through at your leisure. It starts with the “tools of the trade,” where you learn about essential bar hardware, glassware, and important things you didn’t even know you needed to know. Hint: the right way to make ice (yes, there is a wrong way!). It then details the theory behind the 12 bottle concept. While we fantasize about reproducing the fancy cocktails we order at our favorite  bars at home parties (while in a fabulous outfit and engaging in witty repartee), how realistic is it for us to own a hundred bottles or more? And to learn to make all of those drinks? And how often are you going to use that bottle of creme de violette, anyway?

So, why not simplify things? The equipment, the product, the knowledge – and as a bonus, the 12 Bottle concept is budget-friendly. Ready to hear about the 12? Well, you should probably buy the book, but I will tell you they include:

• 7 spirits (No tequila! No bourbon!) (But of course gin is on the list, because the authors have great taste.)
• 1 liqueur
• 2 vermouths
• 2 bitters

The book includes a chapter on each of the 12 bottles – including a bit of history, the characteristics of the drink, and recipes divided into three categories: sweet & fruity, tangy & citrusy, and strong.  And, perhaps most helpful, recommendations on which brand to buy, including choices of budget and premium buys.

Premium and budget gin recommendations from The 12 Bottle Bar

If you were to buy all 12 bottles at the Solmonson’s budget recommendations, you would spend $202. If you decided to buy all of their premium choices, you’d still only be out $379.

Sprinkled throughout the book are fun stories, quotes from bartenders, and helpful hints. There’s also bonus chapters on how to be a good host, proper garnishes and syrup recipes (adding to the over 200 cocktail recipes indexed throughout the book).

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to graduate beyond the 2-ingredient drink, but doesn’t know where to start. In addition, my friend Amy and I also remarked that the book would make a great housewarming gift, paired with one of the bottles and/or a bar tool.

I’ll end with two pieces of good news:

• This book is also a blog!  Actually, the blog came first. There’s all sorts of good stuff there.
• The 12 Bottle Bar (the book) can be purchased at many bookstores. Here’s one link you can use.

Happy bar building! Let me know your thoughts on your home bar essentials – bottles, tools, etc. – in the comments!