David A. Embury
Encyclopedia
David Augustus Embury was an American attorney and author of The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks
(1948), a classic encyclopedia of the 20th century cocktail
.
The book is noteworthy for its highly opinionated, very witty and conversational tone, as well as its categorization of cocktails into two types: aromatic and sour, its categorization of ingredients into three: base, modifying agents and special flavoring and coloring agents, and its 1:2:8 ratio (1 part sweet, 2 parts sour, 8 parts base) for sour type cocktails.
In the book, Embury makes it clear that he had "never been engaged in any of the manifold branches of the liquor business" and that his experience was "entirely as a consumer and as a shaker-upper of drinks for the delectation of my guests". The author goes on to say, “On the other hand, I have always possessed an insatiable curiosity about the whys and wherefores of many things and particularly of food and drinks.” Embury’s love of a quality cocktail is evident and his investigation thorough.
The book also contains sections on glassware, bar equipment, a discussion of several different types of bitters, and much other minutiae on the topic. The last edition of the book is now a half-century old, and many of the brands of liquor Embury discusses are no longer made, or, though once common, now almost impossible to find and the occasional price quotes he inserts are also, of course, very much out-of-date. But as an all-around encyclopedia of cocktail making and an "encyclopedia of spirits" in general, it is still regarded as a basic text. All editions of the book command quite high prices from online auction sites and booksellers, as it is long out of print, but considered a "classic".
For many years, Embury was a senior tax partner with the respected Manhattan law firm of Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle
. He also served as chairman of the National Interfraternity Conference
. Embury graduated from Cornell University
in 1908 and was a member of Acacia
. He even includes in the book a recipe for a cocktail called an "Acacia".
The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks
The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks is a classic cocktail book by David A. Embury, first published in 1948. The book is noteworthy for its witty, highly opinionated and conversational tone, as well as its categorization of cocktails into two main types: aromatic and sour; its categorization of...
(1948), a classic encyclopedia of the 20th century cocktail
Cocktail
A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink that contains two or more ingredients—at least one of the ingredients must be a spirit.Cocktails were originally a mixture of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. The word has come to mean almost any mixed drink that contains alcohol...
.
The book is noteworthy for its highly opinionated, very witty and conversational tone, as well as its categorization of cocktails into two types: aromatic and sour, its categorization of ingredients into three: base, modifying agents and special flavoring and coloring agents, and its 1:2:8 ratio (1 part sweet, 2 parts sour, 8 parts base) for sour type cocktails.
In the book, Embury makes it clear that he had "never been engaged in any of the manifold branches of the liquor business" and that his experience was "entirely as a consumer and as a shaker-upper of drinks for the delectation of my guests". The author goes on to say, “On the other hand, I have always possessed an insatiable curiosity about the whys and wherefores of many things and particularly of food and drinks.” Embury’s love of a quality cocktail is evident and his investigation thorough.
The book also contains sections on glassware, bar equipment, a discussion of several different types of bitters, and much other minutiae on the topic. The last edition of the book is now a half-century old, and many of the brands of liquor Embury discusses are no longer made, or, though once common, now almost impossible to find and the occasional price quotes he inserts are also, of course, very much out-of-date. But as an all-around encyclopedia of cocktail making and an "encyclopedia of spirits" in general, it is still regarded as a basic text. All editions of the book command quite high prices from online auction sites and booksellers, as it is long out of print, but considered a "classic".
For many years, Embury was a senior tax partner with the respected Manhattan law firm of Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP is a New York-based international law firm with 260 attorneys in 15 offices worldwide. In 2009, its declared revenues were approximately $135 million...
. He also served as chairman of the National Interfraternity Conference
North-American Interfraternity Conference
The North-American Interfraternity Conference , is an association of collegiate men's fraternities that was formally organized in 1910, although it began on November 27, 1909. The power of the organization rests in a House of Delegates where each member fraternity is represented by a single delegate...
. Embury graduated from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1908 and was a member of Acacia
Acacia Fraternity
Acacia Fraternity is a Greek social fraternity originally based out of Masonic tradition. At its founding in 1904, membership was originally restricted to those who had taken the Masonic obligations, and the organization was built on those ideals and principles. Within one year, four other Masonic...
. He even includes in the book a recipe for a cocktail called an "Acacia".