Imbibe!

David Wondrich from New York is the most important cocktail historian of our time, ranked fifth on this year's list of the most influential people in the bar industry, and is one of the key figures responsible for laying the proper foundation for the cocktail renaissance. David Wondrich brings back to life the important figures of the past, foremost among them Jerry Thomas, the author of the very first cocktail book, but also many others, and we must acknowledge without envy that we stand on the shoulders of giants. He examines old recipes, delves into the history of spirits, and demonstrates how effortlessly many drinks from that era have survived the test of time—he even provides the adapted recipes. Wondrich's book is a foundational work, and reading it is a prerequisite for employment in many bars across the United States.