The Ideal Bartender
By Tom Bullock.
[St. Louis: Buxton & Skinner Printing and Stationary Co., c1917].

This volume is the fifth of the five major works by African Americans we have selected to represent their contributions to American cookery.

See also:

• Roberts, The House Servant's Directory (1827)
• Campbell, Hotel Keepers, Head Waiters, and Housekeepers' Guide (1848)
• What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking (1881)
• Estes, Good Things to Eat (1911)

This volume represents another view of the African American as a food professional. It also is meant to represent the beverage aspect of food studies and the hundreds of books on that subject. America has a long history of interest in a great variety of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

The cocktail is considered by many to be one of the major American contributions to this genre. This book offers recipes for about 175 classic cocktails from Abricontine Pousse Cafe and Absinthe to Tom Tom and Whiskey Scotch Hot. It also conveys the flavor of the role of the bartender in American society.

The author proudly offers a brief history of his professional life and contacts. He is remembered today and is a respected figure in St. Louis popular lore.