A compact volume that introduces modern gentlemen to some of the greatest pleasures in life, from the very best spirits to the most complex hot sauces to the suavest of accessories. The book is targeted to aspiring bon vivants , modern metrosexuals, millennials, and hipsters eager to become the new gentleman. Content not only includes quick guides to great drinks, foods, and cigars, but also makes the case for why every real gentleman needs a great flask, a classic pen, and a watch that may not be "smart" but will make you look and feel like 007. Features short essays on each subject, with classic illustrations accompanying each, all in a handsome package that will evoke thoughts of a trusted old leather-bound book. "Fortunately for the aspiring modern gent, we found this great book that fills in the blanks on your gentleman card. From spirits and wine and tools for your home bar to the more epicurean things like steak, oysters and what makes a proper charcuterie, think of this as a textbook for a life lived well . . . This is a comprehensive culture upgrade every man can benefit from." -- Spy.com "This book is packed full of important beverage info that will help you wow your friends at the next social gathering." -- CraftBeerReview "Master the basics first, with help from veteran drinks writer John McCarthy, who crafts short, digestible essays on everything from building your home bar to mastering the classic cocktails (along with a few non-boozy but certainly useful tidbits on oysters, hot sauces, cigars, watches and more)." --InsideHook John McCarthy is a 25-year publishing veteran who last served as Senior Managing Editor and spirits and cocktail pundit at Men's Health magazine. Since his departure in 2016, McCarthy travels the world in search of fine wine and spirits, amazing adventures, and incredible stories for Roads & Kingdoms , Forbes , Men's Health , Maxim , JW Marriott magazine, Bourbon+ , and Gear Patrol . When home, McCarthy resides in Queens, NY. Stephen Alexander Davis is an illustrator living in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, he got his artistic start by drawing fake Pokémon cards for his friends. Ever since he can remember he has always been interested in narrative illustration, and after graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design he made a career of igniting the imagination through visual storytelling. Stephen enjoys gardening and playing with his dog Bruno. COCKTAILS   Any commoner can fuel an evening with ye-olde-12-pack and a box-o-wine, but the refined gentleman doesn’t roll that way. When it comes to hosting, what you serve your friends and family defines you. The ability to create delicious, memorable cocktails—signature drinks around which a party swirls—separates mediocrity from guys with the ability to entertain, impress and indulge in incredible libations for the rest of your days. Be that guy.   Chances are you’re already a bartender, even if you aren’t good at it. I certainly wasn’t. It was a dark time for cocktails before the mixology scene gained momentum in New York City a decade ago. The idea of creating refined concoctions meticulously crafted to showcase, but not overpower, the qualities of carefully curated spirits wasn’t a thing; nobody was Instagramming their Chocolate Negronis. Cocktails with friends meant drowning cheap booze in sugary juice or soda, and you knew going in that tomorrow was going to hurt. Primitive as it was, we were still making drinks, and eventually, things evolved. Sloppy rum-and-Cokes were replaced with slick martinis and tart, spicy margaritas—a whole new world from which you’ll never go back.   The fundamentals of balancing spirit, sour (acidity), bitter, and sweet is the cornerstone of what makes a drink taste good, and building the skills to produce quality drinks begins with mastering the classics. These quintessential cocktails are the foundations of modern mixology, and learning them is key to a lifetime of drinking well. All it takes is a handful of bar tools, a few key ingredients, and practice, practice, practice. But hey, that’s the best part.   _________________________________________     HOME BAR ESSENTIALS: THE BASICS (2-4 pages) Raising your mixology game requires a bit of preparation, and you’ll need a few tools to establish a basic home bar. No need to buy expensive stuff, instead invest in decent quality barware, and like all tools, keep them clean and well-maintained and they should last. Cocktailkingdom.com or Thecraftybartender.com are good rescources.   BAR TOOLS Shaker: Here is the quintessential vessel in which you build your cocktail. Pick up a small, medium, and a large shaker, using the large for multiple drinks and the small and medium for single cocktails.   Jigger: Master mixologists measure their alcohol to assure balance and consistency. Start with a 1 oz. and 2 oz. jigger with ¼ ounce incremental markings on the inside.   Barspoon: