Sometimes, you just strike internet gold – ya know, those obscure little corners of the internet where you can fall blissfully down the rabbit hole. Today’s find is a free online library of unearthed and collected bartender books; rare volumes dating from the 1820s through the 1940s, faithfully digitised – every last page – by a little-known museum of wines and spirits located on the small island of Bendor in the south of France. I’ve gone through the archive and picked out my favourite covers, but also highly recommend you click the links under each artwork to flick through the pages of these wonderful books, packed with gorgeous illustrations and fascinating glimpses into the past…
Giggle Water by Charles S Warnock, 1928
Browse inside this book here.
The Complete Bartender Art of Mixing Plain and Fancy Drinks, 1884
Browse inside the book here.
“So Red the Nose or Breath in the Afternoon”, Cocktail Recipes by 30 Leading Authors, 1935
Browse inside the book here.
The Home Bartender’s Guide and Song Book, 1930
Browse inside this book here.
The American Bar Tender by E A Simmons, 1874
Browse inside the book here.
The Stork Club Bar Book, 1946
Browse inside the book here.
Hollywood Cocktails, 1933
Browse inside the book here.
The Savoy Cocktail Book, 1930
Browse this book here.
Louis’ Mixed Drinks, 1906
Browse inside the book here.
Here’s How to be Healthy by BG Hauser, 1934
Browse inside the book here.
Famous New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ’em, by Stanley Clisby, 1938
Browse inside the book here.
Cocktails by Jean Lupoiu, 1938
Browse inside the book here.
“Here is something that will Interest You”, by the Victoria Wine Co., London 1937
Browse inside the book here.
The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book, 1935
Browse inside the book here.
“What Shall We Drink ? Popular Drinks, Recipes and Toasts” by Magnus Bredenbek, 1934
Browse inside the book here.
What goes with What, 1934
Browse inside the book here.
Drinks as they were made before Prohibition, 1934
Browse inside this book.
The Squire’s Recipe, 1912
Browse inside this book here.
Wet Drinks For Dry People by William C Feery, 1932
Browse inside this book here.
For Snake Bites or Something, 1920
Browse inside this book here.
