Book Review: GOTHAM CITY COCKTAILS

SYNOPSIS: Craft classic drinks with the first official cocktail book inspired by the residents of Gotham City.

Based on the colorful heroes, villains, and locations of Gotham City, this compendium of delectably enticing cocktails takes readers on a trip through the home of the Dark Knight. Featuring a collection of sophisticated libations, this unique book contains seventy recipes for delicious handcrafted cocktails, as well as a curated selection of tasteful bar bites to pair with the beverages.

With drinks inspired by everyone from Batman himself to Poison Ivy, Commissioner Gordon, and the Joker, DC Comics: Batman: The Official Gotham City Cocktail Book includes step-by-step instructions and tips on how to craft the perfect cocktail, as well as beautiful full-color photography. A refined and elegant volume, this book is an essential addition to every fan’s bar cart or bookshelf.

UPDATED: Jett Cooks “Gotham City Wings” (Video)

A disclaimer here…

I am not a connoisseur of cocktails, like, at all.  I don’t drink liquor — I’m a beer man (and have been loyal to only one beer brand my entire adult life) — and I couldn’t mix up a, um, mixed drink to save my life.

Thus, I may not be the best person in the world to review GOTHAM CITY COCKTAILS: OFFICIAL HANDCRAFTED FOOD & DRINKS FROM THE WORLD OF BATMAN –– a new book from Insight Editions and author Andre Darlington.  So, there’s a good chance that there may be a second review of this book once I find someone who fancies themself as a mixologist and is willing to concoct a few of the drink recipes from the book.

However, I do fancy myself as a pretty good cook (something you already know if you’re a regular viewer/listener of the BOF Social Hour) and GOTHAM CITY COCKTAILS includes a chapter titled “Gotham City Grub” that features 11 snack (“Monarch Theater Popcorn”) and food (“Barbara Gordon’s Lemon Chicken”) recipes.  I’m pretty good at looking at a recipe and getting a feel for what the dish will taste like based on the ingredients.  I’ve yet to whip up any of these found in the book, but I’m going to give “Gotham City Wings,” “Batarang Brownies,” and the others a go very soon.

In addition to the recipes, GCC features a chapter title “Cocktail Pantry” that lists everything one will need to have their bar fully supplied.  Oh yeah, there are recipes for hangover cures in case you overindulge.

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As a Batman fan, what I found great about the book is how each recipe has a Batman/Gotham-themed title and a cool backstory — or should I say, “Bat-story” — created from Batman lore and history.  For example, want to know what they’re drinking at Oswald Cobblepott’s Iceberg Lounge?  Then check out the recipe for “Iceberg Punch!”  Alfred Pennyworth’s take on the cucumber sandwich?  “Proper Cucumber Sandwiches” has you covered!

Of course, this book is NOT for kids!  But if you fancy yourself as the sophisticated adult Batman fan, I think you’ll get a kick out of it. – Bill “Jett” Ramey