The Ideal Bartender

The book was written by Tom Bullock, a well-known bartender at the St. Louis Country Club. His skills as a bartender were so remarkable that a libel suit hinged on the excellence of his drinks. In The Ideal Bartender, Tom collects some of his best known beverage recipes.

Tom Bullock was the first African-American to write a cocktail book, called "The Ideal Bartender" in 1917.

By : Tom Bullock (1873 - 1964)

01 - Abricontine Pousse Cafe through All Right Cocktail 02 - Bacardi Cocktail through Bombay Punch 03 - Bon Soir through Buttered Rum 04 - California Sherry Cobbler through Claret Flip 05 - Claret Punch through Currant Shrub 06 - Deronda Cocktail through English Bishop Punch 07 - Fancy Whiskey Smash through Knabenschue 08 - L.P.W. through Remsen Cooler 09 - September Morn Cocktail through Whiskey Irish Hot

Bullock was born in Louisville, Kentucky shortly after the Civil War was over. Bullock started to work at country clubs at a very young age starting from the entry-level positions. Later he became to be a well-recognized bartender of the time at St. Louis Country Club, where he served for government officials and other elite members.

George Herbert Walker, grandfather of George W. Bush was one of the big fans of Bullock's cocktails, who contributed his writing to Bullock's book in introduction. "I have known the author for many years, and it is a privilege to be permitted to testify to his qualifications. ... In all that time I doubt that he has erred in event one of his concoctions.