Cecil Beaton's Cocktail Book

Drink like one of the Bright Young Things with Cecil Beaton's Cocktail Book

Cecil Beaton (1904-80) was one of the most celebrated British portrait photographers of the 20th century, so renowned for his images of celebrities and high society that his own name has become synonymous with elegance, glamour and style. In the 1920s and '30s, Beaton used his camera, his ambition and his larger-than-life personality to mingle with a flamboyant and rebellious group of artists and writers, socialites and partygoers whose spirit and style cut a dramatic swathe through the epoch. Canonizing the era's "Bright Young Things" in his distinctive brand of opulent studio portraiture, Beaton worked his way up from middle-class suburban schoolboy to glittering society figure.

This miniature cocktail book features a delightful array of recipes inspired by the decadent drinks of Beaton's youth, and the fabulous friends and celebrities whom he photographed. Period classics such as the Hanky Panky, Manhatten, Negroni and Sidecar are given contemporary twists by the Head Bartender and Mixologist of the world famous Claridge's Hotel in London, which played host to some of the most extravagant Bright Young gatherings. It is illustrated with the artist's own photographs and the witty and distinctive drawings he produced throughout his life, recording people, travels and experiences, which were featured in Vogue magazine. A must-have for every well-appointed bar cart, Cecil Beaton's Cocktail Book brings to life a deliriously eccentric, glamorous and creative era.

This new cocktail book by London's Claridge's hotel is inspired by the decadent Roaring 20s and chock full of recipes for the era's most famous drinks. Photographs by the iconic 20th century photographer Cecil Beaton, who documented the high society Bright Young Things of the Jazz Age, run alongside the recipes, making this book as useful as it is collectible.-- "Town & Country"
The book features classic and tweaked cocktail recipes, contributed by Claridge's bar manager Denis Broci, which were inspired by Beaton's social sphere (tag line: "mixing with the bright young things"). The book also includes Beaton's photographs and archival Claridge's illustrations, so you can almost feel like you were there to bear witness to the original revelry.--Kristin Tauer "WWD"
If you're feeling thirsty rather than hungry, this is a glamorous creative option.--Francesca Gavin "Financial Times"
This Is the Ultimate Roaring 20s Cocktail Book.--Editors "Vogue"