The Cocktail Chronicles book preview, June 28

Ten years in the making, The Cocktail Chronicles is now at the printer, with the first copies headed to bookstores and other retailers in early July. But readers (and drinkers) in Seattle will have a head start — because some of the first batch of books coming off the press will be express-shipped directly to my hometown, and can be in your hands (and mine) as early as June 28.

Sunday, June 28 — The Cocktail Chronicles Preview Party at Rob Roy
The book preview will be a two-part event, with a ticketed SwigWell seminar in the afternoon followed by a Happy Hour reception until 6pm (happy hour prices until 7pm). Here are the details:

2pm – 3:30pm: The Cocktail Renaissance: A History in Three Drinks

The cocktail renaissance is well into its second decade, and shows no signs of slowing down. Join Paul Clarke—the executive editor of Imbibe magazine, and founder of the pioneering cocktail blog The Cocktail Chronicles (est. 2005)—for a look at his brand-new book, The Cocktail Chronicles: Navigating the Cocktail Renaissance with Jigger, Shaker & Glass (Spring House Press), which offers a snapshot and an exploration of a culinary revolution in progress.

This session will trace the early origins of a bibulous reawakening; delve into the early 21^st century days of discovery, a time when bartenders, historians and cocktail enthusiasts began to fully embrace the promise of the craft cocktail; and peer into the future at the many paths the cocktail renaissance could follow. And since cocktail history is a hands-on endeavor, we’ll be serving cocktails that reflect and embody this ongoing drinks revolution.

All participants will receive a signed copy of The Cocktail Chronicles as part of the ticket price. The books are being sent directly to Rob Roy from the printer (we’ll even have them before Amazon!), so event participants will be the very first to get a copy of Clarke’s book, drawn from his experiences and insights developed over a decade of drinks journalism.

Tickets are $60 (plus booking fee), and each ticket purchase includes early access to the Happy Hour reception. Tickets may be purchased from Eventbrite.

The Cocktail Chronicles Happy Hour — Rob Roy, 4pm – 6pm
Drinks! Books (while supplies last)! And me! I’ll be hanging out at Rob Roy for another couple of hours, soaking up the cocktails until 6pm (but don’t leave yet — happy hour continues until 7pm), and signing books as long as the first shipment holds out. Please come grab a drink and say hello — it’ll be a great wrap-up for your weekend.

Here’s the Facebook page for the Happy Hour event–please let us know you’re coming!