The Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails: A Definitive Reference
For enthusiasts and professionals alike, the world of distilled beverages is a vast landscape of tradition, chemistry, and culture. To navigate this complexity, Oxford University Press released The Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails (OCSC) in October 2021. This comprehensive work serves as the first dedicated reference book focusing on the history and evolving trends of distilled spirits.
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A Monumental Collaborative Effort
Compiled and edited by David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum, the OCSC is a massive undertaking that spans 864 pages. Wondrich, a cocktail historian with a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from New York University and author of Imbibe! and Punch, spent nine years leading the project starting in 2012.
The depth of the book is a result of contributions from over 150 experts. This diverse group includes bartenders, distillers, historians, spirits journalists, brewers, and anthropologists. Notable contributors include pioneering bartender Dale DeGroff, as well as Doug Frost, Garrett Oliver, and Audrey Saunders.
Scope and Editorial Philosophy
The OCSC is structured as an alphabetically arranged reference containing approximately 1,150 entries. Rather than repeating commonplace facts found on platforms like Wikipedia, the editors focused on providing deep context, analysis, early histories, and the exploration of myths and legends surrounding the bar industry.
The writing process was an evolution of scale. While the team initially worried about finding sufficient material, by 2014, the volume of source material became overwhelming. To maintain a manageable scope, the editors implemented specific boundaries, such as omitting references to individuals who began their careers after 2004—the year marking the start of the cocktail renaissance (the modern revival of classic cocktail culture).
Integration into the Oxford Companions Series
The OCSC is part of the prestigious Oxford Companions series, which dates back to 1932. Its creation reflects the growing 21st-century interest in mixology and distillation, following previous companions dedicated to wine (1994) and beer (2011).
Key Facts
- Editors: David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum.
- Publication Date: October 2021.
- Content: Approximately 1,150 entries across 864 pages.
- Contributors: Over 150 writers from various professional backgrounds.
- Focus: Origins, early histories, and analysis of spirits and cocktails.
- Scope Limit: Excludes figures who started their careers after 2004.
Publication Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| ISBN | 9780199311132 |
| OCLC | 1260690923 |
| Dewey Decimal | 641.874 |
| Media Type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Publication Place | United Kingdom |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who edited The Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails?
The book was compiled and edited by David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum.
How many entries are included in the reference?
The work includes approximately 1,150 entries.
What is the specific focus of the book's content?
The book focuses on origins, early histories, myths, legends, and analytical context, avoiding common facts easily found on Wikipedia.
Why are some modern figures excluded from the book?
The editors limited the scope to exclude anyone who started their career after 2004 to maintain the focus on the foundations and the start of the cocktail renaissance.
How long did it take to compile the work?
David Wondrich led the writing and compiling process for nine years, beginning in 2012.