A Quick Drink

Mixologists Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero are cofounders of Speed Rack, the international bartending competition for women where competitors must make classic and original cocktails as quickly as possible, only using the limited ingredients available onstage. Informed by lessons learned at Speed Rack, Mix and Marrero present a guide to making winning cocktails confidently and efficiently at home, based on what is in our bar cart and the ideal match for a particular craving or occasion.

Each chapter contains cocktail recipes created by Mix, Marrero, and Speed Rack competitors that adhere to a general style or sensibility, such as "celebratory" or "on vacation," insight into why those recipes work so well, and inspiration for creating your own original drinks. Mix and Marrero also advise on how to take your skills to the next level, like how you can infuse spirits and syrups, make a round of different kinds of drinks, batch a drink for a group, and narrow down the essentials you need in your home bar, as well as providing a cheat sheet of recipes for dozens of classic cocktails that you need to know.

Through their original recipes, we'll meet many of the most talented women bartending today, hearing their stories and how Speed Rack has provided an influential platform in a male-dominated industry, while raising money to fight breast cancer. And as an extension of Speed Rack's mission, proceeds from the sales of this book will be donated to breast cancer charities.

Shining a spotlight on some of the most influential people in the cocktail world, and sharing some of their best drinks, A Quick Drink is both a celebration of the talented Speed Rack community as well as an unconventional, inspiring resource for home bartenders and professionals alike.