Book review

Drinking with Chickens: Free-Range Cocktails for the Happiest Hour

on’t be fooled into thinking this is a joke by the hugely pretty and very captivating photo shoots with chickens front and centre. This book is appealing, even without the chickens posing with beautifully garnished drinks, the colours, the staging, the glassware… everything! Although the author does indeed live with chickens, and may have started drinking all the cocktails because of their constant squawking, she does advise against letting the chickens get close to your drinks (for your and their safety). The drinks are certainly Instagramworthy, and promoted on Richards’ popular blog. Her over abundance of enthusiasm for all things cocktail makes me think she does a lot of sampling of her very original “garden to glass” creations. Richards divides the recipes by season, and depends a lot for flavours and garnishes on the bountiful garden she shares with the chickens. Like any good bartender she does make her own infused alcohol and syrups from scratch, but Richards agrees sometimes shortcuts will be “ok” even without a year-round garden. However, in my opinion everyone should go ahead and make a batch of Habanero Infused Tequila just in case.

Although some of the cocktails are adaptions of old classics, such as the Pickled Carrot Mary on p.161 or the Salted Radish Martini on p. 53, others are very contemporary. Serving a Smoked Artichoke (p.102) or a Golden Greens Sparkler (p. 116) at your next party will certainly get a conversation started. She makes no excuses for her extraordinary garnishes, admitting they only sometimes serve a purpose (like scent) beyond their inherent beauty. D By Kate E. Richards Running Press 2020 $26

All aspects of composing a drink are considered, including making clear, shaped ice, and each recipe has a glassware suggestion for ideal taste and visual presentation.

Whether making a signature cocktail for a dinner at home or trying to impress guests at a bigger event, this book is inspiring and full of ideas certain to trigger your own creativity. Drink up responsibly but in style—chickens optional!

Karen is a lawyer by trade, who claims to have been on the “know where your food comes from” bandwagon sooner than most, and now focuses on foraging her daily food from local growers.

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