"...we must stand together and raise a glass to our beloved Paris, may she ever shine bright."
-Doni Belau
As I pondered how to go about sharing my thoughts on a book based in a city so recently shaken to the core by loss and tragedy, I read the latest newsletter from Girls Guide to Paris founder, Francophile, and author of said book, Doni Belau. In a world where I, as an individual, can feel easily overwhelmed and helpless in the midst of something so heavy, her words reminded me that the best thing I can do is hold on to hope, and to light, to practice kindness towards myself and others, and to keep raising my glass—or darkness wins.
With that, I'm happy to introduce you to the newly released book by Doni Belau, Paris Cocktails. Part cookbook (in the sense that it shares 100+ recipes...only they are for cocktails, not food), part Paris Bar guide, this book quenches my thirst for both knowledge and a proper beverage.
This is a great book for the mixologist, cocktail connoisseur, or history buff in your life. It contains both vintage and craft cocktail recipes—some with names you'll recognize, some that you probably won't. That said, each recipe is preceded by a sentence or three introducing its origins and/or a description of what you'll be shaking or blending up in your glass.
There are plenty of cocktails I'd like to try, and bars I'd like to hop on a plane to visit (one day), but these pages also contain some really fun party ideas and suggestions...including which cocktails to serve, as well as food suggestions to go with the theme.
Interested in joining Paris Cocktails author Doni Belau as she tours the US, France, and the UK to talk about her book, mix up drinks, and share stories of the exploding Paris cocktail scene? She'll be pouring cocktails using French spirits: Citadelle Gin, Bastille Whiskey, and Dragon Vodka. Click HERE to find out more and register for an event.
Paris Cocktails
author: Doni Belau
publisher: Appleseed Press, a division of Cider Mill Press
photos: yes
hard cover: 272 pages
chapters/sections: Introduction | J'Adore Paris Cocktails | En Pleine Air | Du Vin | Jazz Era Inspirations | Casual and Creative Cocktails | Joyeuse Holidays | Artisanal Cocktails | Francophile in the USA | Raising the Bar: Best of the Best
fun features: There are all sorts of fun bits scattered throughout this book. Belau's "French Cocktailing Rules" and "Cocktail Nomenclature" in the introduction...the bits of history tucked comfortably into the proper chapters...explanations behind each cocktail...and quotes found throughout all guarantee that you'll find something new and inspirational each time you flip through this book. The action of deciding which new cocktail to try becomes so much more than you originally bargained for. This is a good thing.
(a few of the many) cocktails destined for my kitchen: Serendipiti | The Last Call | Brenne Chai Toddy | Moonflower | Le Metro | Peruvian Shrub | French 75 Squared
about the author: Doni Belau first saw Paris at the tender age of eighteen and fell in love. She has been regularly visiting or living in her favorite city ever since. In 2009, Ms. Belau founded the website www.GirlsGuidetoParis.com, an insider's guide to the city of light. The site includes her hand-picked favorite restaurants, bars, hotels, apartments, and activities to experience Paris like a native. It also features blogs written by Ms. Belau and many other contributors, D.I.Y. walking tours, and the popular GO-Card for Paris-bound travelers. After six years, the site has grown to 1.5 million readers per year and is one of the foremost Anglophone guides for travelers to France. In 2014, Doni authored the online guidebook EAT in Paris. She divides her time between New York City, Paris, and the Bordeaux region, where she shares a home with her husband and two grown children.
connect with the author: website | facebook | twitter | instagram | pinterest | purchase book
author: Doni Belau
publisher: Appleseed Press, a division of Cider Mill Press
photos: yes
hard cover: 272 pages
chapters/sections: Introduction | J'Adore Paris Cocktails | En Pleine Air | Du Vin | Jazz Era Inspirations | Casual and Creative Cocktails | Joyeuse Holidays | Artisanal Cocktails | Francophile in the USA | Raising the Bar: Best of the Best
fun features: There are all sorts of fun bits scattered throughout this book. Belau's "French Cocktailing Rules" and "Cocktail Nomenclature" in the introduction...the bits of history tucked comfortably into the proper chapters...explanations behind each cocktail...and quotes found throughout all guarantee that you'll find something new and inspirational each time you flip through this book. The action of deciding which new cocktail to try becomes so much more than you originally bargained for. This is a good thing.
(a few of the many) cocktails destined for my kitchen: Serendipiti | The Last Call | Brenne Chai Toddy | Moonflower | Le Metro | Peruvian Shrub | French 75 Squared
about the author: Doni Belau first saw Paris at the tender age of eighteen and fell in love. She has been regularly visiting or living in her favorite city ever since. In 2009, Ms. Belau founded the website www.GirlsGuidetoParis.com, an insider's guide to the city of light. The site includes her hand-picked favorite restaurants, bars, hotels, apartments, and activities to experience Paris like a native. It also features blogs written by Ms. Belau and many other contributors, D.I.Y. walking tours, and the popular GO-Card for Paris-bound travelers. After six years, the site has grown to 1.5 million readers per year and is one of the foremost Anglophone guides for travelers to France. In 2014, Doni authored the online guidebook EAT in Paris. She divides her time between New York City, Paris, and the Bordeaux region, where she shares a home with her husband and two grown children.
connect with the author: website | facebook | twitter | instagram | pinterest | purchase book
"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast."
-Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast
As part of my review and book feature, I was challenged to make a recipe from the book—either as-is, or with my own little twist. I chose to The Bastille Sour, which is whiskey sour with a twist...French-made Bastille whiskey and the French floral liqueur, St. Germain. Here's the thing: I would have made it exactly as written because I adore whiskey sours, and I've always wanted to try St. Germain liqueur. However, St. Germain is a bit pricey for me at $30 a bottle right now...so I decided to twist it another way. Instead of adding St. Germain, I opted for the seasonal flavor of apple. Apple liqueur lends just a whisper of "something more" to this whiskey sour (still featuring French-made Bastille Whiskey)...and it's very nice for sipping.
The Bastille Apple Sour
This twist on a classic whiskey sour uses French-made whiskey and a bit of apple liqueur to celebrate the season.
by
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Keywords: beverage alcohol
Ingredients (1 cocktail)
- 2 ounces Bastille Whisky
- 3/4 ounce Apple Liqueur
- juice of 3/4 of a fresh lemon
- one egg white
- ice
- apple slice
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients for the cocktail in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake until cold and foamy.
Serve immediately in a rocks glass, with ice and a slice of apple to garnish.
If you purchase Paris Cocktails from the Girls Guide to Paris website, you will:
-receive 10% off retail price, making it only $17.95
-get a free 80-page e-guide book, EAT in Paris ($10.95 value)
-ensure that the author gets a share of the proceeds
Click HERE to order your copy now!
I received a complimentary bottle of Bastille Whiskey and a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and recipe development purposes.
