Book Review: Booze & Vinyl Country

The Dean Koontz of cocktail books returns to Drinkhacker with the fourth installment in his Booze and Vinyl series. If you’ve been following along up to this point, you’ll be well versed on the premise: pick a record, make a cocktail inspired by the record or artist behind the music, sit, listen, sip and enjoy. It’s really that simple.

Several books into his career (of which we have reviewed eight), Andre Darlington has the formula down and doesn’t deviate too much from it. And why should he? These books sell incredibly well, and I often see them at my local bookshop on display. They introduce people to some fun drinks or provide ideas for thematic cocktail parties. While they may not be for the advanced cocktail mixologist, they are something to get music fans making drinks, and cocktail fans listening to new music. They also have the potential to spark serious discussion on both. This time, we’re hitting the trails and going full-bore country. Giddyup.

Darlington continues to do the right thing by providing the details on all required materials to do the job right, with ideas for food and drink that cover a wide range of skill sets and investments of time. There are over 100 recipes and 60 albums from which you, gentle reader, may choose. Much to his credit, Darlington doesn’t just stay within the realm of Taylor Swift-Morgan Wallen neu-country, he provides balanced coverage of the entire genre, with bonus points for including John Prine and Charley Pride. So, should one finish the book cover to cover, they will likely leave with a deeper appreciation and respect for the genre’s diversity in sound and artistry.

Eventually, this concept will run its course, although we will most likely see Booze & Vinyl: Microhouse or Booze & Vinyl: Third Wave Ska Revival editions published ten years from now. Until then, this installment will please not only the country music fan in your life, but anyone looking to sharpen their skills and entertainingly make some fun cocktails.

B+ / $26 [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]

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