Synopsis

A loving homage to the era celebrated by the hit Netflix series Bridgerton—and the cocktails that shaped its high society

As a society doyenne and undercover libertine, Lady Thornwood knows what makes a drink perfect. In The Unofficial Bridgerton Book of Drinks: Lady Thornwood’s Guide to the Cocktails of Grosvenor Square, this respectable cocktail connoisseur presents a guide of over 75 cocktail recipes shaped by the Regency era in both refinement and ingredients—and served alongside a heaping dose of high society gossip, scandal, and speculation. Beginning with the gentlewoman’s advice on setting up a Regency bar, the best glassware, and garnishes, and an overview of the period’s most popular ingredients, the book is then divided into six subsequent recipe chapters drawn from high-society life during the London social season, from occasions such as “The Evening Soirée” to “Delicate Daytime Drinks” to even those rare, deliciously non-alcoholic drinks for “Polite Company.” Throughout these chapters, Lady Thornwood weighs in with stylish sidebars and entertaining advice on how to host gatherings that are the talk of the “ton.”

Amidst all of her sly cheek and drama, our hostess presents readers and cocktail aficionados with an intriguing true history. In Regency England, as Britain’s Empire expanded, cocktails were becoming social currency, a showcase for wealth, trade connections, and even modern marvels like ice. The Regency shaped British high society for a century and helped launch the cocktail revolution we still enjoy today. As Lady Thornwood says, “As the Regency unfolds, ships sail up the Thames from every corner of the globe freighting exotic spices, vibrant fruits, and marvelous elixirs. Let us toast this bounty and craft it to our purpose. Cocktails stiffen the spine, unlock the tongue, and add sheen to even the dullest drawing-room. Coupes up!”

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Review

This is the perfect book to help create beverages while you watch (or rewatch) Bridgerton (or any other regency show).

I love all of the details from setting up your bar, the different cocktails based on day or night, and even a slew of simple syrups to create in your own home. Don’t partake of alcoholic beverages? There is a section for you too and perhaps all of the simple syrups will have you thinking about what else could be made into a syrup and mixed with tonic water, club soda, or any other beverage.

This is more than just a beverage recipe book, there is also witty commentary from Lady Thornwood thrown into the mix. I chuckled reading some of her responses to letters to her and her thoughts on some of the drinks.

I thought I would share one of the drinks with you to try on your own at home. This one is called Garden Promenade

Garden Promenade

Ingredients:

Small handful of mint

1 oz Plymouth gin

1 oz dry vermouth

1 oz lime juice

3/4 oz simple syrup

Dash celery bitters

Ice-cold seltzer

Place the mint, gin, vermouth, lime, and simple syrup in the bottom of a highball glass and lightly muddle to gently bruise the mint. Fill the glass with crushed ice, anchoring the mint leaves to the bottom of the glass, then top with about 2 oz seltzer, or no more than about 3 oz if the drink doesn’t rise nearly to the rim. Dash with bitters and garnish with another fresh spring of mint and a wedge or wheel of lime.

If you don’t know how to make a Simple Syrup, you mix equal parts of sugar and boiling water until the sugar dissolves. It is easy to make a larger batch and store it in the refrigerator for several weeks (if it lasts that long!)