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Editorial Review Product Description
The proprietors of Aqua Vitae, dubbed "LA's sexiest cocktail caterers" by Los Angeles Magazine, present the ultimate guide to throwing memorable parties the host will enjoy as much as their guests. This inspirational guide presents 14 themed gatherings paired with winning recipes for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres-all captured in stylish color photography. 90 recipes, over 100 color photographs. ... Read more Customer Reviews (10) 
A+ - Too bad some reviewers don't get it.
If you're looking for a recipe for a Singapore Sling, turn to Mr. Boston's.And if party pictures of young people upset you for some reason, this isn't your book.
But if you're looking for truly distinctive, really impressive, great tasting cocktails and food to go with it, this book is for you.While it's masquerading as something of a lifestyle book, I found it to be a suprisingly serious and well-researched effort.
I've had a lot of memorable nights thanks to the ideas in here, and I've never seen another book like it -- it's almost like the French Laundry Cookbook, but focused on drinks.I'm very glad I trusted the positive reviews here.
Fizzer
Why did I buy it?Looked good, sounded good.Lived up to it's promise?Too many group shots of chatty singles in salubrious discussion.Would have been nice to have seen more shots of the food.In the end, the recipies themselves proved to be a little more of the same.Unimaginative, hardly unique.
Don't waste your money
I'm always looking for new ideas for parties and I thought this book might give me some new and upscale "twists" on the cocktail party theme.What I got was a book by 20-something "wanna-be-the-Rat-Pack", featuring pictures of the like, with recipes for food that's perfect for the skinny crowd -- because you wouldn't want to eat any of them!They epitomize the reason the "Cocktail Party" fell out of vogue.When you're trying too hard to project style, you just don't have it.
A Toast to the Authors!
Combing the aisles of any well-stocked bookstore, one can't help but notice the ever-growing population of cookbooks encroaching on the real estate of its neighboring "Computers" section.It seems as though any marginally recognizable public figure, regardless of how remote his/her connection might be to the very notion of food preparation, has something to share on the subject of cooking and entertaining.Sadly, yet predictably, the majority of these publications falls woefully short of anything useful or instructive for the individual who appreciates fine entertaining.For those who value this rarefied art, look no further, as Alexandra and Eliot Angle will take you on a guided tour of how it's done in their fantastic book, "Cocktail Parties With a Twist: Drink + Food + Style." Contained within its exquisitely photographed 160 pages is everything one needs to know on how to execute an elegant cocktail party: uniquely original cocktail recipes, unpretentious and easy-to-prepare hors d'oeuvres, thoughtful and artful serving suggestions.But what truly separates The Angles's book from the competition is its almost scholarly approach toward preserving the fine art of entertaining and its understanding that there's much more to a successful evening of entertaining than good food and drink. Recipes can be followed closely to yield a delicate pie crust or a Perfect Martini, but hosting, in its purest form, has no scientific recipe; it's something that must be learned through careful observation and practice.The Angles know this, and with their new book, "Cocktail Parties With a Twist: Drink + Food + Style," they've assembled a comprehensive reference guide for all those eager to commence (or perfect) their education on the fine art of hosting. Cheers!
Simply Gorgeous
This book is simply gorgeous.It will inspire you to dream up some excuse to throw a party and enjoy it. It is a "must-have" for every kitchen bookshelf and certainly worthy of display on the coffee table.I bought one for myself and am now buying a few more to give away as Christmas presents.
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