Beverages & Wine
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The Japanese Art of the Cocktail
The first cocktail book from the award-winning mixologist Masahiro Urushido of Katana Kitten in New York City, on the craft of Japanese cocktail making
Katana Kitten, one of the world's most prominent and acclaimed Japanese cocktail bars, was opened in 2018 by highly-respected and award-winning mixologist Masahiro Urushido. Just one year later, the bar won 2019 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for Best New American Cocktail Bar. Before Katana Kitten, Urushido honed his craft over several years behind the bar of award-winning eatery Saxon+Parole. In The Japanese Art of the Cocktail, Urushido shares his immense knowledge of Japanese cocktails with eighty recipes that best exemplify Japan's contribution to the cocktail scene, both from his own bar and from Japanese mixologists worldwide. Urushido delves into what exactly constitutes the Japanese approach to cocktails, and demystifies the techniques that have been handed down over generations, all captured in stunning photography.
Katana Kitten, one of the world's most prominent and acclaimed Japanese cocktail bars, was opened in 2018 by highly-respected and award-winning mixologist Masahiro Urushido. Just one year later, the bar won 2019 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for Best New American Cocktail Bar. Before Katana Kitten, Urushido honed his craft over several years behind the bar of award-winning eatery Saxon+Parole. In The Japanese Art of the Cocktail, Urushido shares his immense knowledge of Japanese cocktails with eighty recipes that best exemplify Japan's contribution to the cocktail scene, both from his own bar and from Japanese mixologists worldwide. Urushido delves into what exactly constitutes the Japanese approach to cocktails, and demystifies the techniques that have been handed down over generations, all captured in stunning photography.
Editorial Reviews
"Masa has taken the concept of bartending and elevated it into his own unique art form. You will surely enjoy this unforgettable sensory trip."
-Mike Miyamoto, Suntory Whisky Global Brand Ambassador
"Like the New York bar he joyfully presides over, Katana Kitten, a drinking den that effortlessly balances high and low aesthetics, Masahiro Urushido embodies both the precise artistry of Japanese bartending and the sunny generosity of pure hospitality. He is, in other words, both the diamond and the shine. You couldn't hope for a better guide through the intricacies and delights of Japan's many contributions to artful drinking."
-Robert Simonson, The New York Times
"Masa says he's obsessed with serving ‘surprises' to his guests. That's certainly my experience at Katana Kitten, where the Hinoki Martini arrives cradled in a wooden box, garnished to the hilt, and misted with a final aromatic spritz. He's delivered the equivalent with this book: These aren't standard drinks, but surprises, informed by deep dedication to craft and illuminated by Masa's crinkly megawatt smile."
-Kara Newman, spirits editor for Wine Enthusiast, and author of Cocktails with a Twist
"A palimpsest if there ever was one, the story of the cocktail has been written, erased, and rewritten on the same sliver of land-Manhattan-for well over a century; and the author before you will leave his mark there, too. Masa Urushido's improbable journey from Nagano, Japan, to his perch at Katana Kitten on Hudson Street is one of a growing number of influential cross-pollinations between the cocktail cultures of Tokyo and Manhattan that once bred New York bars in Tokyo and Tokyo bars in Manhattan, and has gradually hybridized into an unclassified, genre-defying, Nikkei-like approach to cocktails in each city. If you read this tenderly written, beautifully photographed text by one of America and Japan's most rightfully beloved bartenders closely, I believe you'll begin to see a new way of tending bar and mixing drinks emerging-undeniably Japanese, but distinguishably American, too-like a flower blossoming improbably between the tiles of a heavily trodden sidewalk in either town."
-Jim Meehan, author of Meehan's Bartender Manual and The PDT Cocktail Book
"Masahiro is the best bartender I know. Scratch that, he's the best bartender any of us know. Ask any bartender who their favorite is, and Masa's name will always come up first. Every time I'm fortunate enough to be in his presence, I am constantly taking notes in an attempt to be a better bartender myself. In this book, he generously shares with us a few of the tricks that make him the best of the best....
-Mike Miyamoto, Suntory Whisky Global Brand Ambassador
"Like the New York bar he joyfully presides over, Katana Kitten, a drinking den that effortlessly balances high and low aesthetics, Masahiro Urushido embodies both the precise artistry of Japanese bartending and the sunny generosity of pure hospitality. He is, in other words, both the diamond and the shine. You couldn't hope for a better guide through the intricacies and delights of Japan's many contributions to artful drinking."
-Robert Simonson, The New York Times
"Masa says he's obsessed with serving ‘surprises' to his guests. That's certainly my experience at Katana Kitten, where the Hinoki Martini arrives cradled in a wooden box, garnished to the hilt, and misted with a final aromatic spritz. He's delivered the equivalent with this book: These aren't standard drinks, but surprises, informed by deep dedication to craft and illuminated by Masa's crinkly megawatt smile."
-Kara Newman, spirits editor for Wine Enthusiast, and author of Cocktails with a Twist
"A palimpsest if there ever was one, the story of the cocktail has been written, erased, and rewritten on the same sliver of land-Manhattan-for well over a century; and the author before you will leave his mark there, too. Masa Urushido's improbable journey from Nagano, Japan, to his perch at Katana Kitten on Hudson Street is one of a growing number of influential cross-pollinations between the cocktail cultures of Tokyo and Manhattan that once bred New York bars in Tokyo and Tokyo bars in Manhattan, and has gradually hybridized into an unclassified, genre-defying, Nikkei-like approach to cocktails in each city. If you read this tenderly written, beautifully photographed text by one of America and Japan's most rightfully beloved bartenders closely, I believe you'll begin to see a new way of tending bar and mixing drinks emerging-undeniably Japanese, but distinguishably American, too-like a flower blossoming improbably between the tiles of a heavily trodden sidewalk in either town."
-Jim Meehan, author of Meehan's Bartender Manual and The PDT Cocktail Book
"Masahiro is the best bartender I know. Scratch that, he's the best bartender any of us know. Ask any bartender who their favorite is, and Masa's name will always come up first. Every time I'm fortunate enough to be in his presence, I am constantly taking notes in an attempt to be a better bartender myself. In this book, he generously shares with us a few of the tricks that make him the best of the best....
Readers Top Reviews
Kindle A.K カ
Beautifully written. Loads of gorgeous pictures, unique recipes, etc. A book I'm proud to display for guests to see: in my kitchen, on my coffee table, or shelf. Good stuff.
Michael Harrison
Only a few hours of reading in and love it. No bs, lots of great tips / techniques (very valuable), even what brands they use so if you want a 100% of what they make you can make it, not just it's kinda of like this.
Danielle
I own a lot of cocktail books but this is amazing if you are really into making cocktails at home. It does require you to buy some rare ingredients and non traditional alcohol to make some of the drinks but I have ventured out and tried some new drinks that have been amazing. I would recommend this to tge cocktail enthusiast. Can’t wait to go to the Katana Kitten next time I’m in nyc.
Cakegirl
This book is beautiful! It offers insight and inspiration from a bartender who has worked both in Japan and the US. Contains lovely cocktails, good stories, and some nice bar food recipes to go with them all beautifully photographed. The recipes have unique ingredients. Some of which you may need to look for online if you're not close to amazing specialty grocery shops. Overall a wonderful book I'm happy to have read. Looking forward to making several of the drinks. Now it sits comfortably in my library next to my other go to tomes that help me enhance my bartending knowledge and skills.
RaulMrsO
It’s a beautiful book, but I didn’t buy it for its beauty. I wanted new cocktail recipes. The ingredients are really tough to find and unless you have a local Asian market. You won’t be able to find what you need.
