Book Review: The Cocktail Diaries

We were given a digital advanced copy to review, courtesy of Penguin Random House.

Before bringing Outlander character James Fraser to life, there was a time when Sam Heughan was doing random acting jobs during the day and, on occasion, tending bar by night. Eventually, his acting career took off, and his travels led him to meet other cocktail enthusiasts. Sam, with his entrepreneurial side, was drawn to create his own brand of spirits, and Sassenach Spirits was born. Let’s dive into The Cocktail Diaries: A Spirted Adventure!

What’s Inside

• After a nice introduction, we’re hit with Sam’s Top 10 Favorite drink recipes. Off to a strong start with a mix of classics and unique cocktails.
• Next, it’s Simple & Timeless. Ranch Water looks especially refreshing, and I can’t wait to try it out.
• The Complex & Conversational section features cocktails that require a little more time to prepare, but have some super interesting combinations.
• The section called Made by Friends highlights friends of Sam’s favorite drinks. The rest of the book is filled with helpful information on what tools you should get, how to make syrups, and tips about ice for cocktail-making.

What I love

• I love that all of Sam’s recipes have a beautiful image or illustration accompanying them. There’s nothing worse than a recipe book lacking accompanying photos.
• The photography by Matt Russell is modern with a hint of vintage moodiness (in my opinion).
• Each recipe has a short blurb about why it was chosen for this book, a story or a history.
• I love that you can find a drink for anyone in here! Whisky lovers, gin lovers, tequila lovers, and more will all find a new favorite.

Who it’s For

• If you’ve read any of Sam’s previous books, chances are you will like this one, too. Even if you don’t plan on actually making many recipes, the images are, ahem, just lovely!
• Outlander fans are very loyal to the actors, and if you’re looking for a gift for a fan, here’s a great one!
• Anyone who loves to host cocktail parties.
• The home bartender and the professional bartender alike will appreciate this book.

Favorite Recipe

I love a good Paloma!I am excited to try the Pina Colada the Sassenach Espresso Martini.

Final Verdict

It’s a fun book for anyone interested in leveling up their cocktail creation skills. It features awesome pictures, unique recipes, and Sam’s humorous writing style. It will be available in the UK on September 18, 2025, and in the USA on September 23, 2025.

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