In Sip and Sensibility, Tim Rayborn delivers a delightful and imaginative cocktail book that marries the worlds of classic literature and mixology. If you’ve ever wondered what drink best embodies the spirit of your favorite literary characters, this book is the answer. With a thoughtful selection of iconic cocktails inspired by classic novels, Sip and Sensibility invites readers to toast to the timeless tales that have shaped the literary canon—while also savoring a perfectly crafted drink.

Rayborn’s book is more than just a collection of cocktail recipes; it's a celebration of literature and the rich cultural significance that certain drinks hold in beloved stories. From the mint julep Daisy Buchanan sips in The Great Gatsby to the famous Vesper martini James Bond orders in Casino Royale, each recipe is paired with its literary inspiration, providing both a taste of the novel and a sip of its essence. The book includes a delightful mix of well-known drinks—Holden Caulfield’s scotch & soda in The Catcher in the Rye and Ebenezer Scrooge’s smoking bishop in A Christmas Carol—and less familiar gems, like the Jack Rose from The Sun Also Rises.

What makes Sip and Sensibility stand out is its perfect blend of practicality and literary charm. Not only does it offer clear instructions on how to craft each cocktail, but it also provides tips on glassware, garnishes, and techniques to elevate the drinking experience. The thoughtful pairing of drinks with their literary context enhances the experience, allowing readers to immerse themselves in both the world of mixology and the world of books. Whether you're a fan of the classics or simply someone who enjoys a well-made cocktail, this book offers something for everyone.

this is really fun, I think this is great for book club or for a evening reading by your self. I am actually going to buy the physical copy for my shelf.

thank you to netgalley and Cider Mill Press for sharing a digital copy. as always, opinions are my own.

This isn’t your typical literary cocktail book. Not books based on classic books. This is drinks from classic books and classic authors favorite drinks. Very cool.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

A fun collection of cocktails inspired by iconic classic literature.

Very cool concept and well executed!

Thank you to Netgalley, Cider Mill Press and Tim Rayborn for an ARC of this cool book.

I’m a bookworm and an amateur mixologist, so Tim Rayborn’s 𝘚𝘪𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 immediately caught my attention. This collection of cocktail recipes is mainly organized by time period—The Ancient & Early Modern World, The Nineteenth Century, and the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries—and also includes a section for Your Writer’s Favorite Drink. I thought this was a very unique way to categorize and I also enjoyed the sophisticated illustrations that accompanied the drink details. This would make a great present or hostess gift for a bookish friend.

Thanks to Cider Mill Press and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

I worked my way through a few literary-themed cocktail books at the beginning of the pandemic, but this one really stood out to me for how the author didn't just have a book inspire the cocktail, but actually took cocktails or drinks from literature and collected them in one book, with a whole section on favorite cocktails of authors. Including the text from the novel where the drink is mentioned was fantastic. This was a lot of fun to read.

I greatly enjoyed this cocktail collection. The drinks features were a little hit and miss in terms of creativity - but I appreciate that finding the literary ties to all of these cocktails may leave the writer a little limited in options. While I love the look of the Bronx Cocktail (featured in The Great Gatsby), the Bourbon and Coke feels more like a page filler by comparison. That said, the illustrations were beautiful and the writing that accompanied each recipe was clearly well researched and very interesting. While I'd only reach for a handful of these recipes, I still think this earns a place in any book-lovers kitchen.

Every time you try a new food or drink recipe, you might wonder where it originated. When it comes to cocktails, you would definitely want to know more about their history. If you also have a love for classic literature, you'll fall in love with this book.

The book not only references literature but elaborates on it to the extent that you’ll want to taste every drink and experience what each author might have felt. Along with the cocktail recipes, it provides detailed instructions on how to create your own versions.

Another important aspect of the book is the illustrations. Some refer to the names of the cocktails, while others draw on literary references. Whenever you want to make a drink, this book can be a valuable resource. By exploring spices, herbs, and various liquids, it shows you how to elevate your cocktail experience.

I would give this book four out of five stars and would definitely refer to it before making my next drink.

Book Review: Sip and Sensibility: An Inspired Literary Cocktail Collection by Tim Rayborn

Rating: 4 Stars

Hey there, fellow book lovers and cocktail enthusiasts! I recently got my hands on Sip and Sensibility: An Inspired Literary Cocktail Collection by Tim Rayborn, and I just have to share my thoughts with you.

First off, can we talk about the cover? It's giving major "brat summer" vibes, and I absolutely love it! It's a beautifully illustrated compendium that immediately draws you in. As someone who's always on the lookout for themed cookbooks, this was right up my alley.

Now, let's get into the heart of the book. Rayborn has created a delightful collection that marries classic literature with some iconic cocktails. From Gatsby's mint julep to James Bond's famous vesper martini, each recipe is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the essence of the literary inspiration behind it. I found myself daydreaming about the characters while sipping on these classic concoctions.

What pleasantly surprised me was the variety of literature and historical references included. It spans a myriad of beloved classics, which makes it a perfect companion for both bookworms and casual readers alike. Whether you're a die-hard fan of A Christmas Carol or a newcomer to The Sun Also Rises, there’s something for everyone here.

That said, I did have a couple of thoughts while flipping through the pages. While the recipes are delightful, I wish they had been a bit more creative. Not that I’m looking for a cocktail version of Moby Dick or anything wild like that, but a touch more creativity would have elevated the experience even further.

That said, if you’re in need of a cocktail book that features many of the classic drink recipes, then this would be a perfect addition to any home bar. The expert guidance on crafting the perfect drink, along with tips on glassware and garnishes, is sure to help anyone from novice mixologists to seasoned bartenders.

In conclusion, Sip and Sensibility is a charming blend of literature and libations that provides both pleasure and inspiration. So dust off your bookshelf, polish your cocktail shaker, and prepare to toast to some timeless tales with a refreshing twist! Cheers! 🍹📚

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

I cannot wait to try these literature inspired cocktails. There is a great selection of drinks here to try,

I was really excited to learn go this book because it blends two things I like: reading / literary history with cocktails and mixology. I think the concept is really cool as it outlines different drink recipes based on them being mentioned in different books or being associated with different authors. Personally, I would've liked the cocktails to be a bit more inventive and have the recipe tie in more elements that were mentioned/related to the books associated with them, but if you are looking for a cocktail book that has some of the "standard" good to know drink recipes, then this is a pretty book to have for your home bar!

Now, I was chuffed by the book's title, and when I opened it, the illustrations and the reference to all the classics and their corresponding drinks made me extremely cheery. I can see it as a perfect gift for someone who enjoys mixology, and a bonus would be if they are a fan of the classics. I can understand that the drinks might seem simplistic and "old fashioned," pun unintended for many. But given the context, it is a fun coffee table read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cider Mill for this advanced copy!
This book is an excellent introductory cocktail recipe book, especially for book lovers. I was a little disappointed that they were drinks accurate to the books, as opposed to literary-inspired drinks, but it was a good read overall. Having tried several of the recipes and enjoying them, I can definitely recommend!

As a Jane Austen girlie, I won't lie when I say the title of this is what caught my attention first. I was pleasantly surprised to find it spanned a myriad of literature and historical references. I've always found it fascinating how ingrained alcohol is with society historically, mostly because it was the only safe and reliable thing to drink for a good chunk of it. As a result, it's a deep part of literary history, which I appreciate Rayborn noting the negative outcomes of too. A really cool segment was the early historical recipes, which Rayborn notes aren't cocktails how we know them, but are important in the formation of what they would become today. Even if the drinks aren't something you'd make to drink yourself, it's fun to see the earliest glimpses of cocktails for the historical perspective.

Otherwise, it is rather basic of a recipe book. Where it is so easy to go online and find basic cocktail recipes, I'd hoped for something that would of been a little more of the "wow" factor in terms of takes on some of these cocktails. Especially since this is not the first type of book to take the literary spin. And, several of these are from the same book. When they're so basic a recipe, it probably would've benefitted from finding more references in different text. Or, give updated takes on the writer's favorite drinks section instead of as is.

The artwork within the book is beautiful and simple, which I think would also make this a perfect little addition to your bar cart if you need a basic but cute reference for cocktails.

Arc Review:
Overall Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

An interesting take on a book full of cocktail recipes. It was a pretty standard collection of cocktail recipes and I liked the illustrations of the cocktails.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Most of the cocktails in this book are classic ones that almost everyone will have heard of. It's a nice idea to link them into literary works where they feature but there isn't a great range of authors included - perhaps unsurprisingly, a substantial sum of them are from American writers of the early to mid 20th century, which makes the title of the book somewhat misleading. (There is one cocktail mentioned from a Jane Austen work, but it's from Mansfield Park, not Sense and Sensibility.) The artwork didn't really appeal to me, and while this is a good collection of classic cocktails, it would have benefited from a different title and more variety in terms of the works of literature covered.

It’s a book of recipes for drinks mentioned in books by a handful of authors. 5 are from one book. It wasn’t great. Also most of them are classic standard cocktails, so it’s not like you’ll learn new and exciting drinks. If you can make a martini or an old fashioned, you’ll just learn what book they’re mentioned in. And it’s probably Mark Twain or Hemingway.

Oh dear... I'm afraid I'm unimpressed. This is only a slight spin on the average book of cocktails - the most distinctive thing about it is its style of illustrations. Though there are a few deep cuts here and there, the cocktail recipes themselves are largely standards like old fashioneds, gin & tonics, daiquiris, several varieties of martini. Likewise most of the literary references are from a rather narrow slice of classics. (In fact, a full half of the 19th century section relies on a single passage from one Mark Twain novel!)

I'm not sure why the book is structured the way it is. Each offering opens with the name of the cocktail and its recipe, but they appear in chronological order by literary reference. If the chronological order was most important, why not open with the literary passage and then offer the recipe at the end? If the recipes are most important, why not arrange them in an easier to navigate manner, for instance by placing all the types of martini in a section, all the gin fizzes and gimlets in another?

Finally, the writing leaves me unimpressed. The introduction kicks off drier than the vermouth you'll need on your bar, and later attempts to inject humor land poorly in my opinion. (There are a lot of jokes about how fortunately you can drink this cocktail even if you're not such-and-such character in a book.) There's a glimmer of pretentiousness in much of the commentary on these recipes, and come to find in the author's bio... he admits he doesn't even really like cocktails very much? What a strange thing to proclaim to an audience that is obviously very interested in mixed drinks and has invested itself in your knowledge and opinion on them.

For those seeking a literary twist on their lemon twists, I recommend checking out Gin Austen instead. That being said, if you're invested in a Hemingway-and-Fitzgerald only view of literature and after an introduction to basic mixed drinks, this might meet your expectations more readily than it did mine.

This is a fun recipe book, the layout is well done and there's a wide range of drink options. I liked the additional parts of info at the end of each recipe. The illustrations were really nice and I liked the quotes included. The recipes are simple to follow and don't require too many ingredients you wouldn't have readily available. The metric conversion chart at the end is helpful!