Event Recap: The Complete Cocktail Manual Author Event and Demo

Kayoko and I always been a fan of Lou Bustamante's write-ups in the SF Chronicle. Every year we look forward to his thoughtful picks for his annual Bar Stars column, where he highlights the Bay Area's best and brightest bartenders. So when we found out he was coming out with his book, The Complete Cocktail Manual, Kayoko and I knew we wanted to carry it at Umami Mart and have an author event to celebrate his enthusiasm and expertise in cocktail making. The Complete Cocktail Manual is comprised of recipes, how-to's, and anecdotes that prove useful for everyone, from cocktail-making novices to seasoned bartenders. Lou's solid writing is complemented by graphics, colorful photos, and a layout that makes all of the information a pleasure to consume. Rather than just have a regular, old book-signing event, Lou came up with a dynamic idea for his author event at Umami mart. He enlisted the help of the Ramen Shop's Chris Lane to co-host The Complete Cocktail Manual Author Event: Tips, Tools + Techniques. Let's take a look at these two in action: Above is Chris Lane using pineapple juice as an agent to demonstrate how shaking and stirring can affect a drink's appearance and viscosity. We served non-alcoholic pineapple cocktails to everyone in attendance. Sorry, no booze! Here's Lou above, talking about how different barspoons, shakers, and glassware are used. Kayoko squeezing in! Both Lou and Chris explained the uses for common tools, as well as the do's and don'ts of making cocktails. For example, when sealing a cobbler shaker, do assemble the top onto the base first, THEN add the cap. We asked Lou to bring along his most sentimental bar tool. The reveal? An old dishtowel! Congratulations to Lou on his beautiful new book, chock full of useful information! We are lucky to have you in the Bay.