Kappeler, George J.

Modern American Drinks. How to Mix and Serve All Kinds of Cups and Drinks.

New York: The Merriam Company, 1895.

Octavo, 120 pages + 12 ads. First edition. A significant American cocktail recipe book, from the barman of the Holland House Hotel in New York City. In his preface to the Mud Puddle facsimile of this title, "Dr. Cocktail" Ted Haigh describes the author, "Kappeler was a different animal... His guide [...] was the tortoise to the others' hare; slow and steady wins the race... Kappeler, with his old, description-style recipes was the new style bartender. He was the no-nonsense bar master. He was the guy you knew would make your drink right because it wasn't all about him. It was about you." Haigh goes on to state that one of Kappeler's real accomplishments with Modern American Drinks was the large number (he counts seventy-five!) of new drinks. two small pinholes in front end paper and title page, likely from an attached business card, and a few small stains to the gilt, yellow and black printed olive cloth boards. Overall a near fine copy of a book which is scarcely encountered in such condition. Rare.[Worldcat shows 11 copies only].