The New Old Bar, a collection of almost 200 vintage cocktail recipes, takes the fear out of entertaining and demystifies the party-throwing experience. Authors Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith comprise the Chicago restaurant and catering duo known as The Hearty Boys, the winners of the very first series of The Next Food Network Star. In their new book, McDonagh and Smith lay out exactly what you need to host successful cocktail parties, including vital information on bar setup, equipment needs, and proper shaking and blending techniques.

Each cocktail recipe is paired with a short, informational "cheat sheet" that gives you just enough of the drink's backstory to enable you to sound like a well-marinated bar veteran as you measure, mix, and muddle for your guests. Since no cocktail is complete without a salty, crunchy foil, the twenty-five recipes for updated bar snacks features a versatile array of complementary and easy finger-food favorites that will perfectly prime your palate.

Combining little-known vintage favorites with updated twists on classic standards, The New Old Bar shows how to make the favorite cocktails that every host and hostess should have in their repertoire. The Hearty Boys have charmed the country with their breezy, insouciant take on food and entertaining, and now they bring the same warmth, humor, and easy expertise to the world of classic cocktails. Drink up!